EL AL Boeing 777 Crew Tells JFK Tower It Can't Go Around Due to Fuel

An EL AL Boeing 777-200ER arriving from Tel Aviv informed John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) air traffic controllers that the aircraft could not perform a go-around due to fuel constraints. The incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on May 20, 2026, involving flight LY19.

According to analysis by aviation commentator Captain Steeeve and reporting by One Mile at a Time, controllers instructed the crew to increase speed for sequencing and prepare for a possible go-around. The crew responded by stating it did not have sufficient fuel to execute the maneuver. The aircraft subsequently landed safely and taxied to the gate without further incident.

Industry analysts have highlighted a key procedural concern: the crew did not initially declare a "minimum fuel" state or a full "fuel emergency" before the exchange — designations that would have granted the flight priority handling. While go-arounds are routine safety maneuvers, the episode raises questions about the timing and clarity of fuel-status communications. As of publication, neither EL AL, the Federal Aviation Administration nor Boeing had issued official statements regarding the event.