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El Al Will Fly Between Tel Aviv and Las Vegas

Dec. 10, 2018
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2 min read
el al 787
El Al Will Fly Between Tel Aviv and Las Vegas
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Over the last few years Israeli airline El Al has been on a campaign to update its fleet and expand its route network. It's steadily built out its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners while retiring older Boeing wide-bodies like the 747 and 767.

Now, to add to its four US routes, El Al will begin flying from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Las Vegas (LAS) on June 14, 2019.

Currently the airline flies to New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX) and will launch flights to San Francisco (SFO) in May 2019.

The new route will run once a week and will be operated by one of the airline's new Dreamliners, reports Globes. El Al has taken delivery of seven 787-9s, it has another nine on order including the smaller -8 model. The flight schedule is as follows:

  • Fridays: Tel Aviv (TLV) 7:00am Departure → Las Vegas (LAS) 11:15am Arrival
  • Saturdays: Las Vegas (LAS) 11:45pm Departure → Tel Aviv (TLV) 10:15pm (+1) Arrival

TPG's Emily McNutt reviewed El Al's 787-9 on the Newark - Tel Aviv route and gave the product solid marks — noting that it was a huge improvement over its older planes.

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The aircraft features 28 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout.

The economy cabin fits 222 people in a 3-3-3 configuration.

It's a bit unclear as to why the airline decided to launch the route, but Globes reports that the Israeli government is providing a €250,000 subsidy for the route. Israeli Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin said that Israel is seeing a "rising trend of Christian tourists from Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Oregon," reports CTech, which seems a bit antithetical to Las Vegas' moniker: Sin City.

Although tickets are reportedly are on sale, I wasn't able to find any on El Al's website or Google Flights. Additionally, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards to El Al's Matmid rewards, although redemption rates are pretty terrible through the program.

H/T: One Mile At A Time

All images by Emily McNutt / The Points Guy.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 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.