Honestly, the way people talk about flying into Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) usually falls into two extremes. You’ve either got the "everything is perfectly fine" crowd or the "don't even think about it" group. The reality of flights to tlv israel right now, in early 2026, is actually somewhere in the middle. It’s a bit of a moving target.
Since the ceasefire in late 2025, things have opened up significantly. But if you think booking a flight to Tel Aviv is the same as booking a weekend trip to London or Rome, you're in for a surprise. The aviation landscape here is unique. It's high-security, high-demand, and, frankly, sometimes a bit high-stress.
Who is actually flying to Tel Aviv right now?
The big news for 2026 is that the major US carriers are back, mostly. For a long time, it was basically just El Al holding down the fort. If you wanted a direct flight from the States, you paid the "El Al premium" or you didn't go.
That’s changed. United Airlines has resumed its heavy-hitter route from Newark (EWR) to TLV. I’ve seen their B789s landing daily again. They even started looking at expanding back into Chicago (ORD) and Washington (IAD) late last year. Delta is also back in the game with its JFK route, though they’ve been a bit more cautious with their frequency compared to United.
If you’re coming from Europe, the options are way more diverse.
- Lufthansa Group (Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines) is back to full-ish strength.
- British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are running regular slots out of London Heathrow.
- Wizz Air has filled that low-cost void left by others, though EasyJet only just started ramping back up this spring.
- Air France is doing daily rotations from Paris CDG.
One thing to watch out for: American Airlines has been the slowest of the "Big Three" US carriers to fully commit. They’ve had a lot of "on-again, off-again" schedules. If you’re looking at flights to tlv israel and see an American Airlines flight, double-check the "operated by" fine print. It might be a codeshare.
📖 Related: Doylestown things to do that aren't just the Mercer Museum
The "El Al Factor" and why it still matters
Even with the big American and European brands back, El Al remains the "safe" bet for many, and not just because of sentiment. They have the most consistent schedule because they don't pull out of the market when things get twitchy.
Their security is legendary, and yes, it means you might get grilled for 20 minutes about who packed your suitcase or why you have a stamp from a "random" country in your passport. Deal with it. It's part of the experience.
Interestingly, El Al’s fleet has seen some upgrades. Most of the long-haul stuff is now the 787 Dreamliner, which is a massive improvement over the old 747s and 777s they used to run. If you're flying from LAX or JFK, you’re almost guaranteed a modern cabin.
Finding a deal without losing your mind
Let’s talk money. Flights to tlv israel aren't cheap. Never have been, probably never will be. But there are ways to avoid getting fleeced.
Prices for 2026 have stabilized a bit. I’ve seen round-trip economy tickets from the East Coast hovering around $850 to $1,100 if you book at least two months out. If you’re seeing $1,500+, you’re probably looking at a peak holiday period (think Passover or the High Holidays) or you're booking way too late.
👉 See also: Deer Ridge Resort TN: Why Gatlinburg’s Best View Is Actually in Bent Creek
One trick that actually works for TLV is the "European Hop." Sometimes, booking a flight to Athens (ATH), Larnaca (LCA), or even Budapest (BUD) and then grabbing a separate leg on a regional carrier like Aegean or Israir can save you $300-$400.
Just a heads-up: if you do this, give yourself a massive layover. If your first flight is delayed and you miss your separate ticket to TLV, you're on your own. Ben Gurion is strict about check-in times, and "the other airline was late" won't get you a free pass.
What it's actually like on the ground at Ben Gurion
Ben Gurion (TLV) is an efficient machine, but it’s a machine with rules.
First, the ETA-IL. This is a big one for 2026. Most travelers who don't need a full visa now need this electronic authorization before they even get to the airport. Don't be the person crying at the check-in desk because you forgot to do your digital paperwork. It’s basically Israel’s version of the US ESTA.
When you land, you’ll likely go through Terminal 3. It’s big, bright, and has a weirdly large duty-free section that Israelis treat like a national pastime.
✨ Don't miss: Clima en Las Vegas: Lo que nadie te dice sobre sobrevivir al desierto
Pro tip: Don't bother with the "Terminal 1" low-cost terminal unless you are specifically told your flight departs from there. It’s mostly for domestic flights to Eilat and certain budget European routes.
Security on the way out of Israel is the real hurdle. You need to be at the airport at least three hours early. No, really. I’ve seen people breeze through in 40 minutes, and I’ve seen people spend two hours in the "questioning" area because they had a suspicious-looking bag of za'atar.
Safety, Sirens, and Reality Checks
I can't write about flights to tlv israel without mentioning the security situation. The 2025 ceasefire has held up reasonably well, but "normal" in Israel is different than "normal" in Iowa.
The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) is incredibly proactive. If there is even a hint of a threat to the flight path, they reroute or pause operations. We saw this in late 2025 when operations were briefly paused for 25 minutes after a nearby interception. Everything was back to normal within an hour.
Most travelers won't notice anything different than any other international airport, other than a few more soldiers with Tavor rifles walking around. It’s just how it is.
Actionable steps for your trip
If you're actually planning to pull the trigger on a ticket, here is the "real-world" checklist you should follow:
- Check the Carrier’s Cancellation Policy: Even in 2026, things can change. Stick with airlines that offer flexible rebooking or travel credits. United and Delta have been pretty good about this; budget carriers, not so much.
- Get the ETA-IL Early: Do it at least a week before you fly. It’s simple, but doing it last minute is unnecessary stress.
- Download the "Red Alert" App: Just in case. Hopefully, you'll never hear it, but knowing what's going on is better than being confused by a siren.
- Book the Train, Not a Taxi: The train station is right inside Terminal 3. It’s cheap, fast, and takes you straight to Tel Aviv Savidor Center or Jerusalem Navon in no time. Taxis will charge you 150-250 Shekels; the train is a fraction of that.
- Watch the Sabbath: If your flight lands on a Friday evening or Saturday, there are no trains. None. You’ll be stuck paying for a "Gett" taxi or a shared shuttle (monit sheirut). Plan accordingly.
Basically, the 2026 travel season to Israel is looking busier than ever. With 18.5 million passengers passing through last year, the demand is clearly there. Just stay informed, stay flexible, and maybe pack an extra power bank for those long security lines.