The Ultimate Flight Hack: Never Overpay Again
Before we dive into the airlines, here's the single most effective strategy for any frequent traveler: use a flight deal service. Mainstream search engines are great, but they often miss the mark on mistake fares and unadvertised sales. We recommend Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) for this.
Find Hidden Deals: Going's team uncovers fares you won't see elsewhere. Think roundtrips from Boston to Tel Aviv for under $800.
Effortless Savings: Free email alerts mean the deals come directly to you.
Massive ROI: The Premium version ($49/year) can pay for itself with a single booking. For those who value comfort, the Elite tier consistently finds business and first-class deals that can save you upwards of $5,000 annually.
Now, let's look at the carriers that will get you to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).
Top Airlines to Israel: A Strategic Breakdown for 2025
1. 🇮🇱 EL AL Israel Airlines
The Angle: The authentic, direct route. As Israel's national carrier, it offers a seamless cultural and security-focused experience from the moment you board.
Hub: Tel Aviv (TLV)
Onboard Experience: Nonstop flights from major hubs like NYC, LA, Boston, and Miami on Boeing 787s or 777s. Expect solid kosher meals and an inherent sense of Israeli hospitality. Business Class offers lie-flat seats for a productive or restful journey.
Loyalty & Alliances: Matmid (Independent). While not part of a major alliance, its Gold and Platinum tiers offer valuable perks like lounge access and fast-track security at Ben Gurion.
Value Proposition: Fares typically range from $700-$1,200. Look for High Holiday and Passover promotions. The direct route saves time and hassle, a key benefit for busy entrepreneurs.
2. 🇩🇪 Lufthansa
The Angle: German efficiency and reliability. An excellent choice for seamless connections and punctual operations via its world-class hubs.
Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC)
Onboard Experience: Clean, dependable cabins. Premium Economy is a smart upgrade for more space, while Business Class provides the expected lie-flat seats and practical comfort.
Loyalty & Alliances: Miles & More (Star Alliance). This is a huge perk for nomads, allowing you to earn and burn miles with partners like United. Senator status unlocks superb lounge access.
Value Proposition: Often priced competitively at $650-$950. A top choice for those who prioritize on-time performance and a vast global network.
3. 🇺🇸 United Airlines
The Angle: The best nonstop option from the U.S. for Star Alliance loyalists. The Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV) route is a workhorse for business and leisure travelers.
Hubs: Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), San Francisco (SFO), Washington (IAD)
Onboard Experience: Look for the 787 Dreamliner. Premium Plus offers wider seats and great legroom, a fantastic middle ground. The flagship Polaris Business class provides a true premium experience with lie-flat beds and elevated amenities.
Loyalty & Alliances: MileagePlus (Star Alliance). Premier Gold status is the sweet spot, granting Star Alliance lounge access worldwide, including at TLV.
Value Proposition: Fares range from $800-$1,300. Nonstop convenience from the US often outweighs the slightly higher cost. Keep an eye out for off-peak award space.
4. 🇬🇧 British Airways
The Angle: Refined travel with a smooth connection. Transiting through London Heathrow (LHR) is efficient, especially with BA's dominance at Terminal 5.
Hub: London Heathrow (LHR)
Onboard Experience: Club World (Business Class) features fully flat seats and surprisingly good dining, including their classic afternoon tea service. World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) is also a notable upgrade.
Loyalty & Alliances: Executive Club / Avios (Oneworld). Avios can offer great value on the short-haul London-Tel Aviv leg. Oneworld status provides access to excellent lounges.
Value Proposition: Competitive pricing combined with a high-quality transit experience. A strong contender for Oneworld alliance members.
5. 🇫🇷 Air France
The Angle: A touch of French sophistication. Multiple daily flights offer great flexibility, and the Paris layover can be a cultural bonus.
Hub: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Onboard Experience: Cabins are tastefully designed. Even in Economy, the food and wine feel elevated. Business Class features fully flat beds and thoughtful service.
Loyalty & Alliances: Flying Blue (SkyTeam). The program's monthly Promo Rewards often include Tel Aviv, offering great redemption value.
Value Proposition: Fares range from $580-$880. Air France often hits the sweet spot between price, comfort, and a pleasant journey. Their stopover program is perfect for breaking up the trip.
6. 🇹🇷 Turkish Airlines
The Angle: The value and service leader. Turkish consistently offers some of the most competitive fares to Israel without compromising on quality—in fact, their catering is award-winning.
Hub: Istanbul (IST)
Onboard Experience: The food is a genuine highlight across all cabins. Business Class is exceptional, with excellent lie-flat seats and renowned Turkish hospitality.
Loyalty & Alliances: Miles&Smiles (Star Alliance). Elite status provides access to the legendary Istanbul lounges, which are destinations in themselves. Often has better award availability to Tel Aviv than its European partners.
Value Proposition: Frequently priced at $520-$780, often $200-$300 less than competitors. Unbeatable for those seeking top-tier service on a budget.
7. 🇨🇭 SWISS International Air Lines
The Angle: Understated quality and flawless execution. For those who appreciate a calm, efficient, and premium experience, SWISS delivers via its clean Zurich hub.
Hub: Zurich (ZUR)
Onboard Experience: It's all about subtle details: warm bread, Swiss chocolates, and attentive service. Business Class is refined, featuring high-quality materials and regional culinary highlights.
Loyalty & Alliances: Miles & More (Star Alliance). Often considered to have more generous award availability and upgrade policies than its parent, Lufthansa.
Value Proposition: A premium choice that balances structure and hospitality perfectly. You're paying for a seamless, stress-free journey.
8. 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Airlines
The Angle: The savvy budget choice with surprising quality. Routing through Addis Ababa can save you hundreds of dollars, and the service is warm and authentic.
Hub: Addis Ababa (ADD)
Onboard Experience: Cabins are modern, and the food is a unique, enjoyable experience (try the Ethiopian dishes). Business Class offers excellent lie-flat seats and fantastic Ethiopian coffee service.
Loyalty & Alliances: ShebaMiles (Star Alliance). A great way to rack up Star Alliance points on a budget. Elite status unlocks access to impressive lounges in Addis Ababa.
Value Proposition: A fantastic arbitrage play. Fares from $550-$850 often beat European carriers significantly, offering a comfortable long-haul experience for less.
9. 🇳🇱 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
The Angle: Dutch practicality and efficiency. A historically strong connection to Israel and a super-efficient hub in Amsterdam (AMS) make KLM a reliable choice.
Hub: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Onboard Experience: Cabins feature clean, practical design. Premium Comfort is a genuine value-add with more space and better meals. World Business Class is a solid, comfortable product.
Loyalty & Alliances: Flying Blue (SkyTeam). Paired with Air France, it’s a powerful program for European and transatlantic travel, with accessible award availability to Israel.
Value Proposition: Competitively priced from $580-$880. KLM's 'Holland & Holy Land' packages offer great value by bundling stopovers and local perks.
