Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Israel

Direct flight routes to Israel

Currently there are no direct flights between Australasia and Israel. All routes require at least one connection.

Layover/stopover options

• Dubai (DXB) – Emirates hub offering efficient 2-3 hour connections to Tel Aviv. Modern terminal with excellent shopping and dining. Premium lounges available for business class passengers.


• Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Etihad Airways main hub with typical 3-4 hour layovers. Smaller than Dubai but equally efficient. Free transit hotel for longer layovers.


• Bangkok (BKK) – EL AL and Thai Airways connections, usually 4-5 hour layovers. Affordable airport hotels and excellent spa facilities.


• Doha (DOH) – Qatar Airways hub with 3-4 hour typical connections. Award-winning terminal with multiple quiet areas and diverse dining options.

Time vs money

One-stop flights via Middle Eastern hubs typically offer the best value for money. Adding extra stops or longer layovers can reduce ticket prices by 15-30%, but significantly increases total journey time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Middle Eastern carrier connections at least 3 hours apart due to frequent delays during peak seasons.


• Consider overnight layovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi – many airlines offer free or discounted hotel stays.


• Avoid booking separate tickets for different legs as you’ll lose baggage transfer and delay protection benefits.


• Gulf carriers often offer better rates when booking 3-4 months in advance.


• Check if your layover airport offers free city tours for longer connections.

• Turkish Airlines offers competitive fares from Sydney and Melbourne to Tel Aviv via Istanbul, with Economy fares often 15-20% below market average. Their 787-9 aircraft feature newer cabins with 31-inch pitch in Economy and extensive entertainment options. The 2-leg journey allows for a free stopover in Istanbul, effectively creating a two-destination trip.
• Air India launched new connecting services from Sydney to Tel Aviv via Delhi in January 2024, operating three times weekly with significantly lower fares than direct options. Their 787 Dreamliners offer decent comfort levels with 33-inch pitch in Economy. The routing provides quick connections in Delhi with total journey times around 19 hours.
• Thai Airways’ Bangkok connection presents an excellent value proposition for travelers from Brisbane and Perth, with fares typically 25% lower than other carriers. The airline’s A350 aircraft to Bangkok and 787 to Tel Aviv provide consistent comfort levels. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport offers superior transit facilities with connection times under 3 hours.
• Etihad Airways operates daily connections through Abu Dhabi from Sydney and Melbourne, offering Premium Economy options on their A350-1000 aircraft at prices competitive with other carriers’ Business Class. The carrier’s new Terminal A in Abu Dhabi provides enhanced transit experience with shorter connection times.
• Qatar Airways provides the most extensive network from Australasia with departures from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney to Tel Aviv via Doha. Their consistent product across all routes features the acclaimed Qsuite Business Class, while Economy offers generous 32-inch pitch. Multiple daily frequencies allow flexible scheduling with competitive pricing year-round.

1. Booking the cheapest multi-stop option Long layovers in airports like Bangkok or Guangzhou might save money but often result in exhausting 35+ hour journeys when faster options via Dubai or Abu Dhabi exist.
2. Ignoring the El Al connection in Bangkok Many travelers overlook the El Al flight from Bangkok to Tel Aviv, which can provide better timing and often competitive pricing when paired with flights from Australia/NZ to Thailand.
3. Flying into Ramon Airport instead of Ben Gurion While Ramon Airport (ETM) might appear as a cheaper alternative, it’s located far from major Israeli cities and lacks the frequent public transport connections available at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
4. Not considering seasonal timing Booking flights during major Jewish holidays like Passover or the High Holy Days results in significantly higher fares and fuller flights, while shoulder seasons offer better value and availability.
5. Cutting connection times too short Scheduling tight connections under 3 hours at major transit hubs like Dubai or Doha risks missing flights due to frequent security checks and additional screening for Tel Aviv-bound flights.

Emirates

Best for: Most extensive network from Australasia to Israel with excellent transit experience in Dubai.

Serves 6 departure cities to Tel Aviv, with Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane being the main hubs. Economy Class offers generous 32-34″ seat pitch and 3-4-3 configuration on Boeing 777s. Known for high-quality halal meals with multiple choices and complimentary wines. Their Dubai stopover is efficient, with average 2-3 hour layovers and access to modern terminal facilities. Passenger ratings consistently above 4/5 for Economy service.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Superior comfort and meal quality in Economy Class.

Operates from 4 Australasian cities, primarily Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Tel Aviv. Features one of the most comfortable Economy seats with 31-33″ pitch and innovative fixed-wing headrests. Their “Dine Anytime” concept allows flexible meal times, with Abu Dhabi kitchen rated among the best for airline catering. Transit times in Abu Dhabi average 2-4 hours. Passengers rate their Economy experience 4.2/5.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Award-winning service quality and entertainment options.

Services 5 departure points, with Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth being major gateways to Tel Aviv. Economy cabin features 31-33″ seat pitch with adjustable headrests. Distinguished by extensive 4,000+ entertainment options and high-quality dining service. Doha layover typically 3-5 hours with access to modern Hamad International Airport. Consistently receives 4.5/5 passenger ratings for Economy service.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most affordable fares while maintaining quality service standards.

Operates from 3 Australasian cities, mainly Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth to Tel Aviv. Economy offers 31-32″ seat pitch with flying chef-prepared meals. Known for competitive pricing while maintaining good service quality. Istanbul layovers average 4-6 hours in the new airport. Passenger satisfaction rates steady at 4/5 for Economy Class, with particular praise for their catering.

Using APAC carriers for cheaper routes to Israel

Savvy travelers from Australia and New Zealand can significantly reduce costs to Israel by leveraging Asian carriers and creating multi-city itineraries. This strategy often saves 20-40% compared to direct bookings with major airlines.

1. Break the journey in Southeast Asia – Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines often offer competitive rates to their hubs
2. Utilize Chinese carriers – China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China frequently offer the lowest fares from Australasia to Middle East destinations via their mainland hubs
3. Mix and match carriers – Book separate tickets: one from Australia/NZ to an Asian hub, another from Asia to Israel. This often yields better prices than single-ticket bookings
4. Consider Philippine Airlines – Their Manila hub offers surprisingly economical connections to Tel Aviv, though with longer layovers

Best booking practice is to search 3-4 months ahead, focusing on mid-week departures. The sweet spot for this strategy is finding deals to Singapore, Bangkok, or Guangzhou, then connecting to Tel Aviv. Remember to allow ample connection time when booking separate tickets, and verify visa requirements for transit countries.