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El Al To Launch Nonstop Flights from Tel Aviv to Chicago in 2020

March 02, 2019
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3 min read
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El Al To Launch Nonstop Flights from Tel Aviv to Chicago in 2020
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El Al is set to continue its North American expansion in 2020 when the airline launches nonstop flights between Tel Aviv (TLV) and Chicago's O-Hare (ORD) airport. While details are still very limited, Israeli business publication Globes has confirmed the new service.

This isn't the first time El Al has served the area. The airline ended service in 2007, leaving the city without a direct connection to Israel. With an estimated 291,000 Jewish residents, Chicago boasts a larger Jewish population than most Israeli cities. Chicago also boasts one of the largest economies in the United States. Now, after a 13-year drought, nonstop flights to Israel will finally return to Chicago.

El Al's Boeing 787-9

The service will be made possible by El Al's growing fleet of modern widebody aircraft. The airline has already received eight of 16 Boeing 787s ordered, with an additional four Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 787-8s yet to be delivered. The larger Boeing 787s, the 787-9, will allow the airline to not only expand but also retire El Al's remaining four Boeing 747s.

In recent years, El Al has added nonstop flights from Tel Aviv to Miami (MIA) and announced new service to Las Vegas (LAS) and Orlando (MCO). The Boeing 787 has played an integral role in El Al's recent expansion thanks to the aircraft's fuel efficiency.

While El Al has yet to confirm what aircraft type will be used on its new Chicago flights, Globes has alluded to the Boeing 787 as the preferred aircraft for the route. With just six Boeing 777-200 aircraft serving cities like New York and Beijing, the 787 would appear to be the strongest contender for the airline's new Chicago service. El Al's Boeing 787s feature the airline's newest and most modern cabins, with lie-flat seats in business class and Wi-Fi available to all passengers at no cost.

El Al's new Premium Economy aboard the Boeing 787-9

El Al is not a member of any major airline alliance, however, maintains codeshare flights with a variety of major carriers including JetBlue and American. If you're looking to use points or miles for El Al's new service, your only option for the time being is transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to El Al's Matmid frequent flyer program. The current transfer ratio isn't very appealing, with 1,000 MR points equal to a mere 20 Matmid points. That means a business class award redemption will cost you 200,000 Membership Rewards points.

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El Al's Chicago flights are not yet available for purchase as a date has not been set for the first flights.

H/T: Dan's Deals

Image by Emily McNutt / The Points Guy

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.