Virgin Atlantic says it’s ceasing London-Tel Aviv flights

UK carrier Virgin Atlantic decides to cease the operation of direct flights between London and Tel Aviv, after postponing the resumption of the route several times following the outbreak of war with the Hamas terror group.

“After careful consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel our services between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv,” Virgin states in a travel update.​ “We will continue to serve Tel Aviv as the only UK airline to have a partnership with EL AL, Israel’s national carrier, on services between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion and London Heathrow.”

The UK carrier adds that the codeshare agreement with EL AL will offer passengers “connections between Israel, the UK and the US, specifically to Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Atlanta.” Travelers who have booked tickets will be entitled to a refund or can be rebooked on flight services operated by EL AL, the carrier says.

Virgin was expected to resume its flight services to Tel Aviv from London Heathrow around November after halting the service due to the outbreak of the war against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, onslaught.