EL AL opens ticket sales for direct flights to Seoul and Buenos Aires
Israeli airline EL AL has opened ticket sales for two new long-haul routes from Tel Aviv, to Seoul in South Korea and Buenos Aires in Argentina. According to information published by the company on its official pages for the new destinations, flights to Buenos Aires are expected to operate twice weekly with Dreamliner aircraft, while a schedule of three flights per week has been announced for Seoul. This is an important expansion of the carrier's international network, because the new routes connect Israel with two major markets at different ends of the world. Ticket sales opened in May 2026, and according to reports by specialized aviation media, flights to Argentina are expected to begin at the end of November 2026, while the start of flights to South Korea is planned for March 2027. In this way, EL AL is further strengthening its strategy of expansion on long-haul routes after earlier announcements of new destinations in Asia, Europe and South America.
Buenos Aires becomes the longest route in the company's history
The new route between Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires is attracting the most attention because, according to reports by Aviation Week, Ynet News and other specialized sources, it is expected to become the longest scheduled route in EL AL's history. Aviation Week reported that the launch of flights is planned for 29 November 2026, with two weekly frequencies on Sundays and Tuesdays. Aviacionline states that the route will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and the same source writes that the operation has been approved by Argentina's National Civil Aviation Administration. According to a Globes report, the flight to Latin America could last about 16 and a half hours, while the return flight should be somewhat shorter, approximately 15 and a half hours, depending on the route, winds and operational circumstances.
For EL AL, returning to the South American market is strategically important because the company has not had a direct scheduled route between Israel and South America for a longer period of time. Globes reported that the carrier won a government tender to launch a subsidized route to Argentina, with the first phase envisaging demand testing over almost a year. Such a model points to a cautious entry into the market, but also to an assessment that there is enough room for a direct link between Israel and Argentina. The direct route is especially important for passengers who until now had to use connections through European or other international hubs. On its official website, EL AL states that the new service will complement existing travel options to South America through various European connections.
Seoul strengthens the Asian network and restores a direct link with South Korea
The route to Seoul is part of EL AL's broader expansion toward Asia. According to the company's official website, flights to the capital of South Korea should be operated three times weekly with Dreamliner aircraft. Aviation Week reported that the start of operations between Tel Aviv and Seoul is planned for 27 March 2027, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Prices published by some media refer to initial fares at the time sales opened and may change depending on availability, travel class, season and ticket rules. Ynet News reported that initial return fares for Seoul in economy class were advertised from 1,199 US dollars.
Seoul is one of Asia's most important business, technological and cultural centers, and a direct link with Tel Aviv may be relevant for business travel, tourism, academic exchange and visits to relatives. In its official communication, EL AL describes Seoul as a destination connected with innovation, gastronomy, shopping, temples and urban culture. Although such a description is promotional in nature, the fact that the carrier is introducing the route as part of a broader Asian expansion shows that the company is counting on growing demand toward East Asia. Passengers planning a longer stay in the South Korean capital can, along with the flight schedule and ticket conditions, also check accommodation in Seoul in good time, especially during periods of major fairs, concerts and international events.
Flights will be operated with Dreamliner aircraft
Both new routes have been announced with the use of aircraft from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, which have become the backbone of many long-haul operations in international air transport. On its official page for new destinations, EL AL states that Buenos Aires and Seoul will be operated with advanced Dreamliner aircraft, while Aviation Week lists the Boeing 787-9 type for the schedule to Seoul and Buenos Aires. This aircraft type is important for such routes because it enables more economical operation of long flights compared with older generations of wide-body aircraft. For passengers, it is also relevant that long-haul aircraft of this class usually offer more cabin classes, longer range and configurations adapted to very long flights. The final cabin layout, seat availability and in-flight services depend on the carrier's operational decision and the specific aircraft assigned to each flight.
A long flight to Buenos Aires also brings operational challenges, including the planning of fuel, crews, rest, routes and alternative airports. According to available information, it is precisely because of the length and complexity of the route that its launch is especially significant for EL AL. On such flights, airlines must take into account seasonal changes in winds, airspace restrictions, demand by travel class and connection options at both ends of the route. In this sense, two weekly frequencies to Buenos Aires represent a measured beginning, while three weekly frequencies to Seoul offer a somewhat denser schedule for a market that can rely on business and tourist flows. For passengers, however, the specific departure and arrival times will remain the most important, because they determine onward travel options and the practicality of connections.
Prices depend on availability and ticket rules
According to Ynet News, the initial return fare in economy class for Buenos Aires at the time sales opened was from 1,349 US dollars, while tickets for Seoul were advertised from 1,199 US dollars. Such initial prices in air transport do not mean that the same amount will be available for every travel date, because fares change according to aircraft load factor, season, booking class, conditions for changes and refunds, and additional services. Passengers must therefore check the conditions of the specific ticket before purchase, including baggage, the possibility of changing dates, cancellation and rules for miles or loyalty program points. On long-haul flights, the difference between the lowest and more flexible fares can be substantial, especially for travel during holidays, school breaks or major international events. Since sales for both routes opened many months before operations begin, availability of initial fares may change quickly.
For Buenos Aires, an additional factor is the fact that this is a new route whose demand the company will monitor during the first phase. If stable interest is shown, it is possible that the commercial conditions and schedule will be adjusted over time, but such changes have not currently been officially confirmed. Passengers planning a stay in Argentina should, along with the airline ticket, also check accommodation seasonality, local events, currency, entry requirements and health or safety recommendations from the competent authorities. For those for whom Buenos Aires is the final destination, especially during periods of high demand, it is useful to compare accommodation offers in Buenos Aires in advance. For passengers continuing to other parts of Argentina or South America, the schedule of domestic and regional flights from Ezeiza Airport and other airports in the Buenos Aires area will also be important.
Network expansion follows the announcement of new destinations
In February 2026, EL AL announced through its investor pages a network expansion with several new destinations, including Asian and European destinations. In that announcement, the company stated that sales for Seoul should begin in May 2026 for flights from March 2027, while details for other routes were published gradually. The official page for new destinations now lists Buenos Aires and Seoul among the destinations being introduced as part of a broader plan. This expansion comes at a time when airlines in the Middle East and beyond are trying to adapt to changes in demand, security circumstances, fuel prices and aircraft availability. EL AL is trying to combine long-haul routes with regional and European connections in order to broaden the choice for passengers from Tel Aviv.
According to EL AL's official financial data for 2025, the company generated 3.476 billion US dollars in revenue, with net profit of 410 million dollars. The same report states that the passenger seat load factor in 2025 was about 94 percent, showing very high capacity utilization. Such indicators provide context for the expansion decision, although they do not in themselves guarantee the success of every new route. In aviation, the profitability of an individual route is assessed according to a range of factors, including average ticket price, the share of premium passengers, cargo capacity, seasonality, crew costs and competition through connections. That is why the results of the new routes to Seoul and Buenos Aires will depend not only on initial interest but also on the sustainability of demand throughout the entire year.
Argentina and South Korea as different but commercially important markets
Buenos Aires and Seoul represent very different types of destinations. Argentina is important for the Israeli carrier because of historical, family, tourist and business ties, but also because direct links between Israel and South America are not common. Seoul, on the other hand, is part of a broader Asian strategy combining business travel, technological cooperation, cultural exchange and growing interest in South Korea as a tourist destination. For passengers, the advantage of a direct route is simple: a shorter total travel time and avoidance of connections that can increase the risk of delays, missed connections or additional costs. For the airline, the advantage is the possibility of retaining a larger part of revenue within its own network, instead of passengers being routed through competing hubs.
Still, both routes will also carry market risks. Flights to Buenos Aires will be very long, operationally demanding and expensive, so load factor and average ticket price will be crucial. The route to Seoul will depend on the development of tourist and business demand, but also on competition from alternative connections through Europe, the Gulf and other Asian hubs. According to available information, EL AL is relying on an initial schedule that does not assume daily flights, but gradually builds market presence. Such an approach can help the carrier test demand without an excessive initial capacity burden.
What passengers should check before purchase
Passengers considering buying tickets for the new routes should check the official schedule, fare conditions and any entry requirements for Argentina or South Korea. Since the start of flights is many months ahead, the schedule may change for regulatory, operational or commercial reasons, which is common in air transport. On its booking pages, EL AL directs passengers to check specific flights and purchase conditions, and the carrier's official information should take precedence over republished or aggregated data. When traveling on very long routes, it is also advisable to check connection duration on onward flights, baggage conditions and minimum transfer time. For business passengers, the arrival schedule will also be important, because arrival in the morning or evening can significantly change the usefulness of the entire trip.
The opening of sales for Seoul and Buenos Aires shows that EL AL is trying to expand its reach beyond traditional markets and return to routes that have broader economic and symbolic significance. If the announced schedule is maintained, Buenos Aires will from the end of November 2026 become the most distant scheduled point in the Israeli carrier's network, while Seoul will from March 2027 further strengthen the Asian part of the offer. The final success of the two routes will depend on a combination of demand, prices, operational stability and the company's ability to maintain a competitive offer compared with numerous indirect connections. For now, the key point is that tickets have been released for sale, and passengers can for the first time plan direct journeys from Tel Aviv to two new long-haul destinations.
Sources:
- EL AL – official page with new destinations and basic information on flights to Buenos Aires and Seoul (link)
- EL AL Investor Relations – announcement of new destinations and earlier sales plan for Seoul (link)
- Aviation Week – data on flight start dates, frequencies and aircraft on the routes to Seoul and Buenos Aires (link)
- Ynet News – report on the opening of sales and initial ticket prices (link)
- Aviacionline – report on ticket sales for Buenos Aires, the Boeing 787-9 aircraft and regulatory approval in Argentina (link)
- Globes – context of the government tender, planned frequencies and estimated flight duration to Buenos Aires (link)
- EL AL Investor Relations – financial release for 2025 used for the context of the company's business results (link)