Most visitors to Israel fly into the the state of the art Ben Gurion Airport, located about one third of the way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is waiting to welcome you into Israel. It is here that almost all international flights to Israel come to. The airport which has won numerous awards, serves flights to North America, Europe, the Far East, Southern Asia, the Middle East, and Africa operated by many major international airlines as well as charter and low-cost airlines.

El Al is Israel's Flag Carrier and the largest airline operating to the country. Image by Flickr user ilya batikov

A small number of international flights, mostly charter flights, go to Ovda Airport, serving Eilat, although most people wishing to travel to Eilat by air need to change planes at Ben Gurion Airport to either Arkia or Israir who offer domestic flights to Ovda and Eilat Airport itself. If you are wanting to travel to Eilat from within the country you can fly from Tel Aviv’s domestic airport, Sde Dov or from Haifa Airport. Flights from Sde Dov also go to Haifa and Rosh Pina.

Flights to Israel from USA

Ben Gurion Airport by Flickr user EagleXDV

Direct flights from New York take about 11 hours, whilst those from Los Angeles take 17 hours. If you are flying from the USA, it is also worth considering flying with a European airline via a European city. This could take the same time if you have to switch planes, and will break up the journey.

Flights to Israel from Canada

From Canada, El Al and Air Canada both operate non-stop flights from Toronto. It is also worth considering flying with a European airline via a European city. This could take the same time if you have to switch planes, and will break up the journey.

Flights to Israel from England

From the UK, L AL, British Airways and Easyjet, fly from the London area. EL AL, and British Airways all fly twice daily from Heathrow, whilst EL AL has an additional daily flight from Luton. Easyjet operates 6 flights a week flights from Luton. Jet2 fly from Manchester twice a week. Flights from the UK take approximately four to five hours.

Flights to Israel from France

From France, EL AL and Air France, as well as low cost airlines, Arkia Israel Airlines, Corsairfly, and New Axis Airways, fly from the Paris area. EL AL and New Axis also fly from Marseilles.

Ben Gurion Airport is the largest in Israel by Flickr user hoyasmeg

Flights to Israel from Germany

From Germany, there are many flights to Israel. From Munich, EL AL, Lufthansa, Air Berlin, and TUIfly, from Berlin EL AL, Israir, Air Berlin, Lufthansa, from Frankfurt EL AL and Lufthansa, from Cologne/Bonn – Air Berlin, Germanwings, and TUIfly, and from Stuttgart, TUIfly.

Flights to Israel from Australia and the Far East

No direct flights operate between Israel and Australia, although it is possible to fly via the Far East with EL AL, from Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Seoul, or Korean Air via Seoul.

The terminal at Ben Gurion Airport is ultra-modern by Flickr user Beny Shlevich

A guide to Ben Gurion Airport

Most international flights come into the new Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport. Car rental desks can be found in the main terminal. See our dedicated guide to how to get to and from Ben Gurion Airport.

When departing through Ben Gurion Airport, due to tight security, passengers must arrive at least three hours before flights.