Air India Delhi-Tel Aviv flights: December restart guide

Air India plans to restart nonstop flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv on December 1, 2026. The proposed schedule has five return services each week, from Sunday through Thursday, using Boeing 777 aircraft.

The date and timetable came from Israel's Ministry of Tourism on September 28, rather than a current Air India newsroom announcement. Air India has also suspended and restarted this route several times in recent years. A flight appearing for sale is useful evidence that the airline intends to operate it, but it is not a guarantee that the December schedule will remain unchanged.

*Original AI-generated editorial illustration created for OpenSim. The unbranded aircraft, airport and traveler are illustrative and do not depict an operating Air India flight.*

The practical answer: Check that AI139 or AI140 is bookable for your exact date on Air India's website, read the fare rules, and keep separately booked hotels and onward flights flexible. Recheck the flight in Air India's manage-booking and flight-status tools before committing to nonrefundable plans.

This guide was checked on September 29, 2026, one day after the restart plan was reported.

The proposed Delhi-Tel Aviv schedule

The Israel Ministry of Tourism announcement reported by Moneycontrol sets out five weekly flights from Sunday to Thursday. AI139 is planned to leave Delhi at 05:00 and arrive in Tel Aviv at 08:30. AI140 is planned to depart Tel Aviv at 10:30 and reach Delhi at 19:45.

All times are local. Israel is three hours and 30 minutes behind India in December, which explains why the westbound and eastbound clock times can look unusual. The reported flying times are about seven hours to Tel Aviv and five hours 45 minutes to Delhi.

The plan calls for Boeing 777 aircraft. The published reports do not confirm a particular cabin layout, seat map or aircraft registration for each date. Check the operating aircraft and seat map attached to the flight you are buying.

Why the December date still needs a live check

The Times of Israel reported that tickets had started appearing for travel from December 1. It also described the service as expected to restart, not as a route already operating.

That distinction matters on this city pair. Air India has changed Tel Aviv operations more than once in response to regional conditions. The airline's news and travel-advisory page is the best place to look for a new operational notice, while the booking record and flight-status result should control your travel-day decision.

Prospective passengers should compare the direct flight with one-stop options, but avoid buying a tight, separately ticketed connection around it. Passengers who already have a ticket should keep their current phone number and email in the booking so the airline can send schedule-change messages.

Booking, cancellation and separate-ticket decisions

If Air India cancels a flight, its current refund and cancellation guidance says a direct customer can request a refund in manage booking or use the airline's self-service re-accommodation option. A traveler whose ticket was issued by an agent or third-party website should contact that seller.

That airline process does not automatically protect a separate hotel, tour, positioning flight or onward ticket. Check each supplier's change and cancellation terms before paying. If you need a domestic flight into Delhi, putting both sectors on one protected itinerary is usually safer than relying on two unrelated bookings.

For a separate booking, allow time to collect bags, move through the airport, check in again and complete document checks. Do not use the planned arrival time alone as your connection buffer.

Check-in, baggage and entry preparation

Air India's current check-in guidance recommends reaching the airport at least three hours before departure. It says international check-in at Delhi closes 75 minutes before the scheduled departure, although the e-ticket can specify a route exception. International passengers may still need to present documents at the counter after online check-in.

At Ben Gurion Airport, the Israel Airports Authority's Air India listing identifies Terminal 3 and says check-in starts four hours before takeoff. Confirm the terminal again near departure because airport arrangements can change.

Checked-baggage allowance depends on the fare, cabin, route and any status benefit. Air India's baggage guidance also distinguishes a single through ticket from separate tickets. Use the allowance in your own booking, not a generic number copied from another route.

Every traveler must check the entry rule for the passport they will use. Israel's official entry portal says travelers need a valid visa or ETA-IL approval before starting the journey. Indian and Sri Lankan passport holders who live in those countries can use the portal's eVisa-B2 process. Apply through the government site and do not assume that another passenger's ETA or visa rule applies to you.

Mobile data for India and Israel

OpenSim's live catalog includes India eSIM plans and Israel eSIM plans. Travelers who want one plan for both sides of the route can also check the current Asia 20-country eSIM coverage list, which includes India and Israel.

Compare the live product card for data, validity, network, hotspot support, speed behavior and top-up eligibility. Those details vary by plan. Install the eSIM while you have reliable Wi-Fi and save essential booking, entry and accommodation details offline.

An eSIM connects to supported mobile networks on the ground. It does not provide inflight Wi-Fi, confirm that a flight will operate or replace an airline disruption notice.

Ten questions about Air India Delhi-Tel Aviv flights

Is the December 1 restart confirmed?

December 1 is the current planned restart date reported from Israel's Ministry of Tourism. The service is not operating yet, and no current Air India newsroom release confirms that the date is immune from change. Check the booking and status tools for your exact flight.

Which days are AI139 and AI140 planned to fly?

The proposed schedule runs Sunday through Thursday. That leaves Friday and Saturday without the planned nonstop, so date flexibility matters if a service changes.

Are tickets on sale now?

Published reports say tickets have started appearing from December 1. Search Air India's own booking system for your date and verify that the result is nonstop, carries flight number AI139 or AI140, and shows Air India as the operating carrier before paying.

What should I do if Air India postpones the route again?

Start with the booking channel that issued the ticket. Direct Air India customers can use manage booking for the options offered on their reservation, while customers who bought through an agent or portal should contact that seller. Then review each separate hotel, tour and onward-flight booking on its own terms.

Is a separate onward ticket protected?

Usually not in the same way as a single through itinerary. If the Delhi-Tel Aviv flight changes and you miss a separately booked flight, the other carrier may treat you as a no-show. Leave a large buffer or an overnight stop, and consider flexible fares.

Will my checked bag go through to the final destination?

That depends on the ticket and airlines involved. Ask the check-in agent where the bag is tagged, keep the receipt, and expect to collect and recheck it when the onward flight is on a separate booking unless the carriers confirm otherwise.

Which aircraft is planned for the route?

The ministry's schedule says Boeing 777 aircraft. It does not promise one specific 777 configuration for every date, so use the seat map shown with your actual booking and recheck it before departure.

How early should I arrive at Delhi or Tel Aviv airport?

Air India recommends arriving at least three hours before an international flight. The Israel Airports Authority says Air India check-in at Ben Gurion starts four hours before takeoff. Follow the tighter instruction on your e-ticket or airport notice.

Do I need an Israeli visa or ETA-IL?

It depends on your passport and residence. The official Israeli entry portal separates visa-exempt travelers who need ETA-IL from travelers who need a visa, and it offers an eVisa-B2 route for eligible Indian and Sri Lankan passport holders living in those countries. Check before making nonrefundable plans.

Can one eSIM cover both India and Israel?

Yes, if its current coverage list names both countries. OpenSim's Asia 20-country option currently does, while the India and Israel country plans suit travelers who need data at only one end. Confirm the specific plan's allowance, validity and supported networks before purchase.

Before paying for the trip

• Confirm that your exact date is bookable as AI139 or AI140.
• Check the operating carrier, aircraft and local departure time.
• Read the fare's change and cancellation conditions.
• Keep separate flights, hotels and tours flexible.
• Verify baggage on the ticket and ask where bags are tagged.
• Use the official Israeli portal for visa or ETA-IL requirements.
• Recheck Air India's advisory and flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Save your PNR, entry approval and accommodation details offline.
• Confirm the terminal and airport arrival time on the e-ticket.
• Choose ground mobile data for the countries you will actually visit.

Evidence and review triggers

The September 28 ministry announcement supports the planned December 1 start, five weekly services, flight numbers, timetable and Boeing 777 plan. Current Air India help pages support the check-in, baggage, cancellation and seller-contact guidance. The Israel Airports Authority supports the present Terminal 3 and check-in-opening information, while the government entry portal supports the visa and ETA-IL checks.

Public traveler discussions were used to identify recurring questions about uncertain operations, booking channels, cancellations, separate tickets, baggage, entry checks and airport timing. They were not used as evidence for the route schedule or airline policy.

This page should be reviewed if Air India publishes its own route announcement, changes the December 1 date or timetable, issues a Tel Aviv advisory, changes the aircraft or terminal, or operates the first service.

*Route, policy, entry and OpenSim catalog details were reviewed on September 29, 2026.*