Israel's El Al Airlines to start flights to Silicon Valley

El Al Israel Airlines said Wednesday it will begin nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and San Francisco in Q4, as it continues to expand into North America. Israel’s flag carrier, which is facing increased competition from low cost carriers, said it will fly the route three times a week using new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. It will compete with United, which launched flights between the two cities in 2016 to accommodate Israel’s flourishing high-tech sector. Passengers on business often fly between Silicon Valley and Israel, which is one of the largest global tech centers. “The acquisition of the Dreamliner enables us to expand our long-haul network,” said David Maimon, El Al’s CE. “San Francisco is an important strategic city for El Al. Our target is to take the business segment.” In November, El Al started nonstop flights to Miami from Tel Aviv, after starting flights to Boston in 2015. It also flies nonstop to New York, Los Angeles and Toronto. Maimon said El Al plans to add more long-haul routes but a decision would likely not be made until later in 2018.<br/>