Arkia announced Tuesday morning that it will resume direct flights to Bangkok at the end of November. At a press conference, CEO Oz Berlowitz also unveiled an exclusive new direct route to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, beginning in January 2026. The airline will also continue operating its popular service to Sri Lanka.
Currently, El Al is the only carrier offering direct flights from Israel to Thailand, charging premium fares; for example, a December round trip starts at $1,278 including baggage, while a January ticket starts at $1,193. Arkia’s prices will be lower, with one-way fares from $499 (including baggage) and round trips from $998. One-way business class tickets will start at $1,499. The added competition is expected to pressure El Al to reduce prices.
Bangkok Route: Arkia will operate two weekly flights on Mondays and Wednesdays (switching to Mondays and Fridays from January 2026). The first flight departs Tel Aviv for Bangkok on November 25 at 00:05. Flight time is approximately 10 hours 45 minutes outbound and 11 hours 25 minutes inbound, with two full meals served on each flight. Service will be operated using Airbus A330 aircraft.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Hanoi Route: Beginning January 5, 2026, Arkia will operate one weekly Monday flight, increasing to twice weekly in March. The first flight departs Tel Aviv at 00:05. Flight time is around 11 hours 35 minutes outbound and 12 hours 30 minutes inbound, with two full meals served. Flights will be on Airbus A330 aircraft equipped with a business class cabin.
Arkia stated that the new services will use leased wide-body Airbus A330s with Israeli crews. The aircraft will offer three classes: Economy, Economy Plus, and a premium Business Class featuring fully flat 180-degree beds (2 meters in length), expanded baggage allowance, personal comfort kits, full VIP service, and a premium dining menu.
“This is a festive day for Arkia,” Berlowitz said. “The launch of two new Far East destinations — Hanoi and Bangkok — is not just a commercial move but a key stage in our strategic plan to position Arkia alongside major international airlines and to strengthen our presence in both the transatlantic arena and the vital Far East market, which is immensely popular among Israelis.”
Arkia emphasized that these routes are part of its strategic growth plan to meet rising Israeli demand for long-haul travel, expand destination options, and enhance competition. The additions follow the launch of Arkia’s major New York route in early 2025. The airline expects the new connections to bolster economic and tourism ties between Israel, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Thailand’s ambassador to Israel, Bunyarit Vichienpunto, welcomed the Bangkok route. “On behalf of the Thai government, I offer our warmest welcome and full support. We value your confidence in Thailand’s economy, especially our tourism sector, with Bangkok ranked the world’s most visited city in 2024. More than 400,000 Israelis visited Thailand last year, making it Israel’s most popular long-haul destination after the United States,” Vichienpunto said.
Vietnam’s ambassador to Israel, Lý Đức Trung, said the Hanoi route will “strengthen bilateral ties in tourism, trade, business, and cultural exchange.” He noted that the launch coincides with the Vietnam–Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), taking effect in November 2024, which will make doing business in Vietnam easier. Speaking to Ynet, he added: “For three years I approached Israeli airlines, and only Arkia — with what I call ‘Israeli boldness’ — took the step to launch the first-ever direct route from Israel to Vietnam.”