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Los Angeles Scoop · Aug 25, 2026

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United Bringing Back San Francisco–Tel Aviv Flights — But What About LAX? United Airlines announced Tuesday that it will resume nonstop service between San Francisco and Tel Aviv beginning March 28, 2027, giving West Coast travelers another option for reaching Israel. The SFO–TLV route will operate three times a week using the widebody Boeing 787-9. LA SCOOP'S TAKE: For Los Angeles travelers, however, the new route isn't necessarily the solution many have been waiting for. While San Francisco is actually slightly closer to Israel than Los Angeles, an L.A. passenger would first need to fly roughly 90 minutes north to SFO and then connect to the long flight to TLV. It's great to see United expanding its Israel service, but Los Angeles needs competition too. Once connection time is included, flying from LAX through Newark to Tel Aviv is actually quicker than connecting through San Francisco — and it also means less total time in the air. What Los Angeles really needs is another airline — whether United, Delta or someone else — to compete with EL AL on the nonstop LAX–TLV route. Right now EL AL has the nonstop market to itself. With no competing airline on the route, travelers have fewer choices on fares and schedules, and finding a seat on any date is becoming increasingly difficult even weeks in advance! Los Angeles has a huge Jewish and Israeli community. A second nonstop carrier between LAX and TLV would be a very welcome addition — and some real competition could be very good for passengers.

*United Bringing Back San Francisco–Tel Aviv Flights — But What About LAX?* United Airlines announced Tuesday that it will resume nonstop service between San Francisco and Tel Aviv beginning March 28, 2027, giving West Coast travelers another option for reaching Israel. The SFO–TLV route will operate three times a week using the widebody Boeing 787-9. *LA SCOOP'S TAKE:* For Los Angeles travelers, however, the new route isn't necessarily the solution many have been waiting for. While San Francisco is actually slightly closer to Israel than Los Angeles, an L.A. passenger would first need to fly roughly 90 minutes north to SFO and then connect to the long flight to TLV. It's great to see United expanding its Israel service, but Los Angeles needs competition too. Once connection time is included, flying from LAX through Newark to Tel Aviv is actually quicker than connecting through San Francisco — and it also means less total time in the air. What Los Angeles really needs is another airline — whether United, Delta or someone else — to compete with EL AL on the nonstop LAX–TLV route. Right now EL AL has the nonstop market to itself. With no competing airline on the route, travelers have fewer choices on fares and schedules, and finding a seat on any date is becoming increasingly difficult even weeks in advance! Los Angeles has a huge Jewish and Israeli community. A second nonstop carrier between LAX and TLV would be a very welcome addition — and some real competition could be very good for passengers.

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