After 4 Hours in the Air, El Al Miami Flight Turns Around
El Al flight LY017 from Tel Aviv to Miami returned to Ben Gurion Airport after four hours in the air due to a technical malfunction.
Jerusalem, 29 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Miami turned around and returned to Israel Tuesday after spending more than four hours in the air because of a technical malfunction discovered during the flight.
Flight LY017 had already crossed a significant portion of the route when the crew reversed course and headed back to Ben Gurion Airport, according to Israeli media reports. The flight had also been delayed for an extended period before departure.
El Al said that once passengers Return to Israel, they will be offered either an alternative flight to Miami or a refund, according to their preference. The airline apologized for the disruption and stressed that the safety and security of passengers and crew are its top priority.
The unexpected return meant passengers spent more than nine hours traveling without reaching their destination before having to arrange a new flight.