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First direct flight from Tel Aviv to Bangkok: Thailand's tourism is booming!
Arkia Israeli Airlines launches direct flights from Tel Aviv to Bangkok for the first time to boost Thailand's tourism.
First direct flight from Tel Aviv to Bangkok: Thailand's tourism is booming!
The first passengers have arrived! On November 26, 2025, Arkia Israeli Airlines' first direct flight from Tel Aviv landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. This new service, operated by the Airbus A330-200, can accommodate 286 passengers and is a welcome addition to the existing flight offering. Arkia, Israel's second largest airline, ensures travelers have an alternative connection to Thailand's most popular destination - previously only El Al Israel Airlines offered direct flights. As the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports, this new route is intended to help boost tourist demand from Israel.
The official welcoming ceremony was led by Ms. Pornsiri Chardpornpun, Director of European Marketing, and Ms. Meytal Dahan Mizrahi, COO of Arkia. In addition to being excited about the new flight, both ladies announced that TAT and Arkia are already working on joint campaigns to increase demand from the Israeli market. It was forecast that arrivals from Israel will exceed 400,000 by the end of 2025, generating sales of approximately 34.56 billion baht in the tourism sector.
Direct flights and Tuesday connections
For the passionate travelers: Arkia will initially offer two flights per week, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Flight relocations to Sundays and Thursdays are even planned for May 2026. Flights to Phuket will depart in July 2026, also on Tuesdays. With a flight time of around 10 hours and 45 minutes, Arkia offers real jumps into the adventure of Thailand.
Arkia's CEO, Oz Berlowitz, emphasizes that these flights will strengthen its presence in the Asian region. The attractive prices are particularly practical: flights start at just USD 499 one way, which in combination with high-class service and attractive amenities promises a good deal. For business travelers, Arkia offers a Premium Business Class, which is characterized by 180-degree reclining seats and luxurious additional services.
Challenges for the Thai tourism sector
However, the geopolitical situation is not the only challenge. Border tourism with Cambodia has also suffered, not least due to adjustments to opening times at border checkpoints. These circumstances are affecting daily tourist numbers, which have fallen by 43%. In this complex area of tension, Thailand is pleased about the new opportunity to specifically attract high-priced and long-term Israeli tourists.
Overall, it can be said that the new Arkia Israeli Airlines flights offer both an answer to the increasing demand for travel to Thailand and shed some light on the current challenges. The future will show whether the strategy will work, but for the moment the signs of a positive development seem to be increasing.
For more information you can visit the respective articles TAT News, Ynet News and Weekly flash read up.