SAN FRANCISCO — El Al announced on June 1, 2026, that it will resume nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and San Francisco starting October 25, 2026. The airline will operate the route three times a week with 15-hour flights under the flight number LY49.
The Tel Aviv–San Francisco service was previously operated by El Al from late 2018 until early 2020, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Round-trip tickets in CLASSIC economy class, including baggage and a seat assignment, will start at $1,199.
“San Francisco is one of the most important technology, innovation, and business hubs in the world, with a large and central Israeli community,” said Shlomi Zafrani, El Al's vice president of commerce and sales. “The opening of the new route is intended to respond to demand from the business and Israeli community in the region, and to enable a more direct and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley.”
The flight number LY49 was selected as a tribute to the San Francisco 49ers football team. The resumption of this route forms part of El Al’s broader growth strategy, which has recently added 11 new global destinations across Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.
El Al currently operates nonstop flights from Israel to several U.S. cities, including New York, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles. During the upcoming winter schedule, the airline plans to offer 45 weekly nonstop flights to U.S. destinations. El Al operated the Tel Aviv–San Francisco route before the pandemic and is now restoring service in response to market conditions.
No independent assessment of El Al’s claims was available.