El Al says it will resume nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and San Francisco on October 25, 2026. The carrier says the route will run three times a week on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, restoring Bay Area service for the first time since 2020.
That makes this a real planning story, not just network noise. Travelers in Northern California will again have a single carrier nonstop option to Israel instead of stitching the trip through the East Coast or Europe.
- El Al says Tel Aviv to San Francisco service returns October 25, 2026.
- The route is scheduled three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
- Flights are set to use Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
- San Francisco becomes El Al’s sixth US gateway.
What Is New Here
Trade reports tied to El Al’s announcement say the airline is bringing back a nonstop link between TLV and SFO after a multi year gap. They also say tickets are already on sale for the fall 2026 restart.
The useful detail is the route shape. Three weekly departures are enough to give West Coast travelers a real nonstop choice, but still limited enough that the better fares and cabin options may not last if demand builds.
Why It Matters for Travelers
For Bay Area travelers, the return cuts out a connection and narrows the risk of a missed onward flight on a long international trip. For Israel bound travelers starting elsewhere in California, it also creates a new West Coast comparison point against Los Angeles connections and other one stop options.
The route is also practical for travelers who prefer to lock the longest flight first and build the rest of the trip around it. A dated nonstop launch is much more useful than a vague future network tease.
- Compare the Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday pattern before you lock hotels or onward flights.
- Expect the first round of nonstop seats to get tighter if Bay Area demand comes back quickly.
- Check cabin availability early if premium economy or business is the real target.
- Watch El Al’s live schedule pages in case the launch pattern shifts before October.
As of June 29, 2026, this clears the news bar because the restart is dated, bookable, and useful for a distinct group of travelers. The practical next step is to compare the three weekly departures against your own connection risk, fare window, and trip timing.
When does El Al restart Tel Aviv to San Francisco flights?
El Al says the route returns on October 25, 2026.
How often will the route operate?
Current reports say the flights will run three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Which aircraft will fly the route?
Reports tied to the carrier’s announcement say El Al plans to use Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
Why is this route useful for US travelers?
It restores a nonstop Bay Area option to Israel, which can reduce connection risk and simplify a long haul itinerary for Northern California travelers.
Image: Photo: Adam Moreira, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_Al_Israel_Airlines_Boeing_787-9_Dreamliner_4X-EDB_taxiing_at_JFK_Airport.jpg
