El Al officially launches seasonal Tel Aviv–Varna route

El Al has officially launched its seasonal service linking Tel Aviv and Varna, adding another Black Sea leisure option for Israeli travelers during the 2026 summer peak. The new route marks a notable step in the carrier’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Eastern Europe and expand its short-break leisure network from the domestic market.

The launch of flights to Varna shows El Al is capitalizing on rising summer travel demand between Israel and Bulgaria, while also sharpening competition in the nonstop segment, where Israir is already present. With its clearly seasonal profile, the route is well suited to both beach holidaymakers and passengers visiting friends and relatives, as well as travelers combining leisure trips with exploration of Bulgaria’s coastal region.

During the initial phase of operations, El Al is serving the Tel Aviv–Varna route with two weekly round trips on selected days of the week, using Boeing 737 aircraft.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s vibrant economic and aviation hub, known for its Mediterranean beaches, diverse culinary scene, and the historic Jaffa district. The city also serves as a key international gateway, connecting travelers to one of the Middle East’s most dynamic urban centers.

At the other end of the route, Varna is the leading resort city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, attracting visitors with its long beaches, the lush Sea Garden, and ancient Roman heritage sites such as the Roman Baths. The city also provides convenient access to major resorts including Golden Sands, making it an ideal summer destination.