Israeli carrier Arkia (IZ) has announced the launch of a new direct route connecting Ben-Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv to the Philippine capital of Manila (MNL), starting on 03 January 2027. This major development marks the first direct flight connection between the two countries and comes as Arkia expands its international long-haul flight network. The announcement comes at a time when international airlines are slowly returning to Israel, with United States carriers United and Delta restarting their flights to Tel Aviv recently. The new seasonal air service to Manila will operate once weekly from January through April 2027, with flights departing Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoons and returning from Manila on Monday mornings. Flight time for the route is estimated at around 11 hours eastbound and 12 hours and 20 minutes westbound.
Arkia will operate the Manila route using a wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft provided by GullivAir (G2). The aircraft will offer two service classes, including an Economy Class with 268 seats and a premium Business Class cabin with 19 fully flat beds. Business Class passengers will enjoy upgraded baggage allowances, amenity kits, lounge access, and designer meals created by Arkia Executive Chef Shahaf Shabtay. Ticket prices for the service will start at US$750 one-way in Economy Class and US$1,800 one-way in Business Class.
The addition of Manila expands Arkia’s growing list of long-haul destinations, joining New York, Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, and Tokyo, which begin at the end of October 2026. Strategic fleet expansions have supported this growth, as Arkia announced on June 2025 the addition of another wide-body Airbus A330-200 from Gallivair, which will strengthen the company’s extensive fleet during the summer months and holiday season.