Air Canada revives Toronto-Tel Aviv flights, strengthening Canada-Israel ties and expanding summer connectivity with strategic route adjustments.
Air Canada Adjusts Summer Schedule, Prepares to Restart Flights to Tel Aviv
Air Canada has fine-tuned its summer flight schedule, including the much-anticipated return of its services to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). According to aviation intelligence from Cirium’s Diio Mi and AeroRoutes, the Canadian flag carrier has officially scheduled flights to Israel’s busiest airport.
The reinstated service aligns with Air Canada’s prior statement confirming its intention to resume operations to Israel.
Starting in June, Air Canada will reconnect Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with Tel Aviv, deploying its Boeing 787-8 aircraft for four weekly flights. Departures from Toronto will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
By August, the airline will further expand its connectivity by reinstating flights from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Tel Aviv. While data from Cirium’s Diio Mi suggests that Air Canada intends to operate this route four times per week, the airline previously indicated a more limited schedule of just one flight per week.
Looking ahead to September and October, Air Canada has, as of now, scheduled only a single weekly flight from Montreal to Tel Aviv using its Boeing 787-8. Though future adjustments remain possible, this pattern suggests the airline may be restoring the seasonal frequency it operated prior to Israel’s conflict with Hamas, which erupted on October 7, 2023.
Pre-Conflict Air Canada Network in Israel
Before the outbreak of hostilities, Air Canada maintained a more robust presence on routes to Israel. Based on historical data from Cirium’s Diio Mi, the airline operated daily flights from Toronto to Tel Aviv in August 2023 using its Boeing 777-300ER.
Additionally, Air Canada ran four weekly flights from Montreal to Tel Aviv on its Boeing 787-9, providing ample capacity for travelers. At that time, the airline was able to accommodate an average of 400 passengers per flight between Toronto and Tel Aviv and 298 per departure from Montreal.
However, with the revised schedule utilizing the smaller Boeing 787-8, Air Canada’s capacity per flight to Tel Aviv will now be reduced to approximately 255 seats.
Flexible Booking Options for Israel Flights
To support travelers planning their journeys to Israel, Air Canada has extended its flexible booking policies. As per the airline’s travel agency portal, the updated ‘Goodwill Policy,’ valid as of January 3, 2025, allows flexible re-bookings and refund options for flights to and from Tel Aviv.
The policy applies to tickets issued on or before January 3, covering original travel dates between January 3 and January 31, with re-booking eligibility extended until February 28.
In its announcement regarding the reinstatement of Tel Aviv flights, Air Canada reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring regional security conditions. The airline emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains a top priority and that adjustments to the schedule may occur if security protocols require modifications.
North American Carriers Resume Israel Flights
With its planned return to Tel Aviv, Air Canada will be among a select few North American airlines resuming flights to Israel. Delta Air Lines was the first to confirm its return, with flights scheduled to commence on April 1, while United Airlines will beat Delta to the market, operating its first Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tel Aviv flight on March 15. Delta will also begin flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
By August, five airlines—including Air Canada, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Israel’s EL AL, and Arkia—will collectively operate 81 weekly flights between Israel and North America. EL AL will remain the only carrier offering a non-East Coast connection, maintaining its service between Tel Aviv and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Additionally, Arkia, an Israeli carrier without widebody aircraft in its fleet, will continue operating its Tel Aviv–New York-JFK route using an Airbus A330-900 leased from Iberojet.
As Air Canada moves forward with its plans, travelers can anticipate a gradual yet cautious return of North American airlines to Israel’s skies.
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