It is a fifteen-hour thread stitching two of the planet’s busiest innovation hubs back together. From October 25, 2026, El Al will once again fly nonstop between Tel Aviv and San Francisco — reconnecting Israel and Silicon Valley directly for the first time since 2020.
And the airline could not resist a wink: the outbound flight is numbered LY49, a nod to the San Francisco 49ers.
Quick Facts
- Airline: El Al Israel Airlines
- Route: Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) – San Francisco, nonstop, about 15 hours
- Starts: October 25, 2026 — three flights a week (Sun, Tue, Thu)
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Note: El Al’s first San Francisco service since 2020; flight number LY49 honours the SF 49ers
- Fares: Classic Economy round-trips from $1,199
Back to the Bay After Five Years
El Al last served San Francisco before the pandemic grounded the route in 2020. Now it returns three times a week, flown by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — quieter, more efficient, and far better suited to a marathon sector than the jets that flew it last time.
At roughly 15 hours, it is one of the longest routes in El Al’s network, threading the needle between the Eastern Mediterranean and Northern California.
A Bridge to Silicon Valley
The logic is all about who is on board. The Bay Area is home to a large and influential Israeli community, and the constant churn of engineers, founders and investors shuttling between Tel Aviv’s startup scene and Silicon Valley creates exactly the kind of premium-heavy demand airlines love.
The 49ers Flight
With Classic Economy round-trips starting around $1,199 and a flight number chosen for a football team, El Al is clearly leaning into the route’s personality. For travellers who would otherwise connect through a congested European hub, a single nonstop hop — even a 15-hour one — is its own kind of luxury.
The question now, as one Bay Area report put it, is whether a US carrier decides to follow El Al back across the Pacific rim and into the same market.
Sources: El Al; The Times of Israel; Reuters; The Jerusalem Post; The Points Guy.
Related Questions
Is El Al flying to San Francisco again?
Yes. From 25 October 2026, El Al resumes nonstop service between Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) and San Francisco — its first San Francisco flights since 2020. The roughly 15-hour route runs three times a week (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday) on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
What aircraft does El Al fly to San Francisco?
El Al uses the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Tel Aviv–San Francisco route. The Dreamliner is quieter and more fuel-efficient than the jets that flew the route before 2020, making it far better suited to the ultra-long sector.
How long is the Tel Aviv to San Francisco flight?
The nonstop flight takes about 15 hours, making it one of the longest routes in El Al’s network. It threads between the Eastern Mediterranean and Northern California, a sector well suited to the long-range Boeing 787-9.
Why is El Al’s San Francisco flight numbered LY49?
The flight number LY49 is a nod to the San Francisco 49ers, the city’s NFL team. It is a marketing touch tying the new service to its destination city.
How much do El Al San Francisco fares cost?
El Al advertised Classic Economy round-trips from US$1,199 for the Tel Aviv–San Francisco route at launch. Fares vary by season and demand, as with other ultra-long-haul services.
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