El Al launches direct, 15-hour-long flight to San Francisco from Tel Aviv for next fall

El Al is set to relaunch its nonstop service between Tel Aviv and San Francisco on October 25, offering a 15-hour flight three times a week. The airline chose the flight number LY49 as a nod to the San Francisco 49ers football team.

This route was previously operated from late 2018 until early 2020, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. El Al's decision to reinstate the service stems from significant demand, particularly from the business and Israeli communities in the region, connecting Israel with Silicon Valley.

"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. He added that the new route aims to provide a more direct and convenient connection.

A round-trip ticket in CLASSIC economy class, including baggage and a seat, will start at $1,199. This new route is part of El Al's broader expansion strategy, which includes announcing 11 new destinations globally in recent months and plans to acquire up to 12 more Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The addition of San Francisco will increase El Al's weekly flights to U.S. cities to 45 during the upcoming winter.

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San Francisco is one of the most important technology, innovation, and business hubs in the world, with a large and central Israeli community. The opening of the new route is intended to respond to significant demand from the business and Israeli community in the region, and to enable a more direct ... and convenient connection between Israel and Silicon Valley.