DALLAS — EL Al Israel Airlines (LY) inaugurated its much-anticipated year-round service between Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Monday, April 15.

The commencement of this direct flight between Israel and South Florida offers a convenient and direct travel link amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

A Warm Welcome in Fort Lauderdale

The inaugural flight LY21 to FLL was operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration 4X-ERD. Flight LY21, carrying a full capacity of around 240 passengers departed TLV at 10:16 am local time and touched down at FLL's Terminal 4 at 4:18 pm local time.

A celebratory water cannon salute awaited the arriving aircraft, signifying this momentous occasion. The return flight LY22 departed from FLL at 09:16 pm local time.

Twice-weekly Flight Complementing Miami Flights

This new route, announced in April 2023, will operate twice weekly. Flights will depart from TLV on Mondays and Fridays, with return flights scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays.

EL Al's new year-round FLL service complements its existing robust presence in nearby Miami. The Israeli flag carrier currently operates six weekly flights to Miami International Airport (MIA) from Tel Aviv.

"This is another milestone in EL Al's continued growth in Florida," said Marc Cavaliere, EL Al's senior vice president for The Americas, when announcing the new route last year.

Despite regional tensions, LY demonstrates its dedication to providing a seamless travel experience for those seeking connections between these two destinations.