El Al Israel Airlines is expanding its long-haul network with plans to launch nonstop service between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires, marking its return to South America.
The carrier will begin operating the route in November with two flights per week using Boeing 787 aircraft, introducing what will become the longest service in its network. Flight times are expected to reach about 16.5 hr. westbound and 15.5 hr. eastbound, reflecting both the distance—about 7,606 mi. (6,609 nm)—and operational constraints requiring Israeli aircraft to avoid certain airspace across parts of Africa and the Middle East.
The move represents El Al’s first South American expansion since 2011 and restores nonstop connectivity between Israel and the region following the suspension of services by LATAM Airlines Group at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to 2020, LATAM had linked Tel Aviv with Sao Paulo and Santiago, but no direct service has operated since.
“The launch of the nonstop flight between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires is a move of strategic, diplomatic and national importance, born out of close cooperation with the state of Israel and a deep commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two countries,” El Al CEO Levy Halevy says.
The route is also supported by the Israeli government, which confirmed a subsidy of 20 million shekels ($5.4 million) per year to help ensure its viability. The initiative was announced in the presence of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Demand between the two countries has been strengthening despite the absence of nonstop service. Sabre Market Intelligence data shows O&D traffic between Israel and Argentina totaled about 55,300 two-way passengers in 2025, up 37% year on year, although still below pre-pandemic levels of around 71,200 passengers in 2019.
The route is also expected to serve Argentina’s large Jewish community—the fifth-largest globally and the largest without nonstop links to Israel—while supporting broader tourism, business and diplomatic ties.
El Al’s expansion comes as the airline continues to operate in a highly constrained environment following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. The carrier’s operations remain subject to government oversight, with Israel’s Transport Ministry recently authorizing flights to about 30 destinations.
Despite these constraints, El Al plans to increase its Boeing 787 fleet from 17 aircraft to as many as 28 by the end of the decade, with options for additional aircraft and potential introduction of the larger 787-10 variant.
The additional widebody capacity is expected to support further long-haul expansion. In February, the airline announced plans to launch flights to Hanoi, Seoul and Manila.
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