El Al to launch San Francisco flights this year
Israel flag carrier El Al will start flying to San Francisco later this year.
The Dreamliner operated route from Tel Aviv to San Francisco begins in the fourth quarter and will run three times a week.
The airline is looking at tapping the flourishing business market between Silicon Valley and Israel’s growing tech industry.
"San Francisco is an important strategic city for El Al. Our target is to take the business segment," said David Maimon, El Al’s chief executive.
"The acquisition of the Dreamliner enables us to expand our long-haul network."
He said San Francisco has long been on the radar but is only now possible after delivery of the new Dreamliner jets.
Maimon is stepping down in a few weeks with a successor expected to be named very soon.
El Al will face competition from United Airlines which launched SFO-Tel Aviv flights in 2016.
It also currently flies to New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles.
The Israeli government said this week tourist arrivals increased by 25% in 2017 to a record 3.6 million.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026