EL AL is expanding for the first time since the start of the war, launching direct routes to new destinations: Hanoi, Seoul and Manila, alongside six new routes to Europe operated by Sundor, including Copenhagen, Sardinia and Sicily. EL AL today (Sunday) announced its most extensive route network ever, including the launch of 9 new destinations over the coming year. After close to three years in which the company focused on expanding its flight schedule, with an emphasis on core destinations in the East, North America and Europe, with the goal of serving as the air bridge between Israel and the world, EL AL is moving to the next phase of its growth and expansion.
EL AL will begin operating direct flights to new long-haul destinations: Hanoi, Vietnam; Seoul, South Korea; and Manila, Philippines, with a frequency of three flights a week to each destination. Beyond meeting tourism demand, the new routes will offer business travelers an optimal solution and strengthen economic ties between Israel and Asia. In addition to the direct routes, EL AL will offer connecting flights to a variety of additional destinations across the continent through partnerships with multiple airlines. The flights to Vietnam, Seoul and Manila will be operated on the company’s advanced Dreamliners, which include three service classes – economy, premium economy and business – and provide an outstanding and pleasant service experience.
EL-Al EDN Achinu Kol Beit Yisrael
The new destinations join EL AL’s existing route network and significantly enhance the company’s destination map. EL AL is expected to operate approximately 60 destinations with direct flights from and to Israel – an unprecedented number for the company. Along with the launch of the new routes, EL AL is expanding its operations at its core destinations and increasing frequencies on the routes with the highest demand. In North America, EL AL is operating the largest number of flights in its history, with up to 55 flights a week. This is in addition to expansion on routes to the Far East due to tremendous public demand, including Japan with up to five weekly flights and Thailand with 16 weekly flights, as well as major core destinations in Europe. In total, EL AL is expected to operate approximately 900 flights a week to destinations around the world. As part of the expansion of its route network and deep focus on its growth strategy, the company is expected to announce additional partnerships with leading global airlines. These partnerships will enable convenient and flexible connections, expand the number of connecting destinations and strengthen EL AL’s global presence.
Ticket sales for Hanoi will begin today at noon on EL AL’s website and through travel agents, for flights beginning in October 2026, at an attractive starting price of $899 for a round-trip ticket. Sales for Seoul are expected to begin in May for flights starting in March 2027, and details regarding sales for Manila will be published later.
In parallel with the expansion to the East, Sundor, part of the EL AL Group, which in recent years has consistently innovated and opened new nearby leisure destinations, is now announcing six new destinations joining Salzburg, Naples and Varna, which were recently announced. Italy will continue to shine with flights to Catania in Sicily and Cagliari in Sardinia. These will be bolstered by Basel, Switzerland; Zagreb and Dubrovnik in Croatia; and for the first time since 2001, EL AL is returning to Copenhagen – with Sundor operating direct flights to Copenhagen, Denmark. This expansion is possible due to the strengthening of the Group’s aircraft fleet, including the addition of two more 737 aircraft, alongside an increase in the leased fleet.
The destinations will be sold at attractive prices for round-trip tickets – with Sardinia and Croatia starting at $339, Sicily at $389, Basel at $439, and Copenhagen at $529. Sales for Sundor destinations will also begin today on the EL AL website and through travel agents.
EL-AL flying around the world ( 2 Foto: EL-AL)
EL AL controlling shareholder, Kenny Rozenberg, said, “The decision to expand EL AL’s operations at this time is a tangible expression of our unwavering faith in the resilience of the State of Israel and the Israeli economy. We are proud to continue building our aviation infrastructure to ensure that the Israeli flag continues to fly proudly on the tails of our aircraft at major airports worldwide. For us, EL AL is much more than an airline, it is Israel’s vital connection to the world, and we are committed to continuing to lead it toward growth and new strategic achievements.”
