Cheap Flights to Israel by Tourist Israel - Israel's Cool Travel Guide

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2010-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

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El Al to Introduce Low-Cost Flights

2009-07-24T01:31:00.001-07:00

10-20% of seats on El Al flights to Europe will soon be sold on a low-cost model similar to that of Easyjet and Air Berlin, two low-cost airlines who have recently decided to start flying to Israel.

El Al will designate a certain area of the economy cabin of its aircraft flying short haul routes to super-low fares. The low-cost fares will mean that a base fare for flights to Europe will be $199 USD although travellers will have to pay for other services on top of this.

Estimated extra costs:

Luggage check in: $10 per suitcase

Hot meal: $10

Breakfast, including coffee: $6

Light meals and snacks: $3-4

Hot and cold beverages: $1.5-2

Sandwich: $5

Easyjet to Land in Tel Aviv

2009-07-08T03:38:00.000-07:00

News just in that leading British low cost airline Easyjet will launch six times weekly flights from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv from this November. We covered speculation about Easyjet starting flights to Israel earlier in the year and it is great to hear that they have come true!

Flights will start on November 2, with fares starting at £71.98 one way.

More news when we get it here!

US Airways flights from Philadelphia to Tel Aviv

2009-07-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

The American carrier U.S. Airways is commencing service between the United States and Israel. Today it inaugurates a regular line, flying nonstop between Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport and Philadelphia.

The airline will be flying Airbus 330 jets. The line between Philadephia and Tel Aviv will be one of the longest that U.S. Airways flies, more than 9,000 kilometers.

A sample price, in coach class, leaving Tel Aviv July 13 and returning from Philadelphia on July 30, costs $1,651 for the round-trip, including taxes. In August, however, the prices will be rising. For instance, a trip on August 8, returning on August 28, will cost $1,700 round-trip.

What's certain is that the arrival of U.S. Airways will intensify competition on direct routes between Israel and the U.S. At present the line is flown by El Al, Delta Airlines and Continental. Several European airlines also fly between Israel and America, with stops in Europe.

U.S. Airways is the fifth biggest airline in the U.S. It is a partner in the aviation chain Star Alliance. The carrier operates out of Philadelphia, which is a major business center and travel hub in its own right: Israelis can catch flights from there to 175 other destinations U.S. Airways reaches in the U.S., Canada, central America and the Caribbean islands.

In honor of the new line, U.S. Airways chairman and CEO Doug Parker will be visiting Israel.

By the way, as the plane lands in Tel Aviv for the first time, it will be greeted with jets of water, as is the custom at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

In other travel sector news, the Israel Association of Travel Agents is being investigated by the Antitrust Authority. The association for its part complains that the trustbuster has been ignoring its complaints over the years of a cartel between carriers.

The Antitrust Authority suspects the travel agents tried to reach illegal understandings with foreign airlines, allowing them to raise prices of tickets online and at their call centers. Not so, say the agents. "The claim that travel agents could affect competition is ludicrous," said a top official at the association.

Article: Haaretz

Fly to Tel Aviv, Israel with British Airways from London

2009-05-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

is the UK's largest airline. They began flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv long ago and now operate two daily flights plus an third flight on Thursday to Tel Aviv and Friday back to London. Aircraft vary between Boeing 767 and 777 with three and four class configurations. All flights have economy, premium economy, and business class.

You can visit the website or see below for further information. For news on the BA route to Tel Aviv, click here.

Flight times for the British Airways London to Tel Aviv route.

From London Heathrow (Terminal 5) to Ben Gurion Airport
BA165 Dep: 08:30 Arr: 15:10 Boeing 777 (4 class aprox. 220 seats)
BA163 Dep: 22:30 Arr: 05:30 Boeing 767 (3 class aprox. 200 seats)
BA167 Dep: 13:55 Arr 20:40 Boeing 767/777 - Thursday only

From Ben Gurion Airport (Terminal 3) to London Heathrow
BA162 Dep: 07:05 Arr: 11:35 Boeing 767 (3 class aprox. 200 seats)
BA164 Dep: 17:05 Arr: 20:20 Boeing 777 (4 class aprox. 220 seats)
BA166 Dep: 12:50 Arr 16:05 Boeing 767/777 - Friday only

Check fares for British Airways flights between London and Tel Aviv

If you have experience flying this route, please comment below.

Fly to Tel Aviv, Israel with Jet2.com from Manchester

2009-05-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

Jet2.com is a UK low-cost airline. They began flights from Manchester Airport to Tel Aviv in May 2009, with one weekly flight on Thursday. From October 2009, there will be a second weekly flight on Sunday. Aircraft used on the route are Boeing 757 with approximately 220 seats with a one-class configuration.

You can visit the Jet2.com website or see below for further information. For news on the BA route to Tel Aviv, click here.

Flight times for the Jet2.com Manchester to Tel Aviv route.

From Manchester Airport (Terminal 1) to Ben Gurion Airport
LS907 Dep: 10:00 Arr: 17:10 Boeing 757 (Thursdays)

From Ben Gurion Airport to Manchester Airport
LS908 Dep: 18:10 Arr: 21:30 Boeing 757 (Thursdays)

Check fares for Jet2.com flights between London and Tel Aviv

If you have experience flying this route, please comment below.

Fly to Tel Aviv, Israel with BMI from London

2009-05-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

BMI is the UK's second largest airline. They began flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv in March 2008 with one flight a day. After announcing the route launch was their most successful ever, a second daily flight would began in March 2009, and the aircraft used on the route are now Airbus A330 with a four class configuration including Premium Economy. This aircraft has around 200 seats. Passengers flying Business Class are able to have a free chauffeur to the airport.

You can visit the website or see below for further information. For news on the route to Tel Aviv, click here.

Flight times for the BMI London to Tel Aviv route.

From London Heathrow (Terminal 1) to Ben Gurion Airport
BD761 Dep: 11:15 Arr: 18:05 Airbus A330 (4 class aprox. 200 seats)
BD763 Dep: 21:55 Arr:05:00 Airbus A330 (4 class aprox. 200 seats)

From Ben Gurion Airport (Terminal 3) to London Heathrow
BD762 Dep: 06:30 Arr: 10:00 Airbus A330 (4 class aprox. 200 seats)
BD764 Dep: 18:20 Arr: 22:50 Airbus A330 (4 class aprox. 200 seats)

Check fares for BMI flights between London and Tel Aviv

If you have experience flying this route, please comment below.

BMI Ups Flights to Tel Aviv from London

2009-05-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

BMI started flights to Tel Aviv from London Heathrow last March. Since then theyve announced that the route has been their most successful launch ever, have added an extra flight a day, and increased the capacity of the aircraft being used to a Airbus A330. They now fly twice daily between London Heathrow and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion

Air Berlin to Start Flights to Tel Aviv

2009-05-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Germany’s second largest airline is expanding its route network and will be flying to Israel for the first time this summer. From 7th July 2009 onwards, Air Berlin passengers will have a choice of two non-stop flights a week from Berlin to Tel Aviv. There will also be feeder flights from various German cities. The Air Berlin jets will be taking off from Berlin on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to land in Tel Aviv the following day.

Flights are available from 99 euros, including taxes and charges.

Manchester - Israel Travel Packages Launched

2009-05-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Jet2.com who will soon be starting flights between Manchester and Tel Aviv have responded to demand by launching package holiday deals for travellers from North West England.

Seven nights in a three-five star hotel in Tel Aviv starts from just £596 including flights - departing from May 21.

For more, see the Jet2 website by clicking the link below.

London to Eilat Direct Flights This Winter

2009-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Isrotel hotel group who operate eight hotels in Eilat have seen the demand. Now they're planning to run 14 charter flights this Winter between Luton Airport (from where El Al just last week started 6 weekly flights to Tel Aviv) to Ovda near to Eilat. This was reported in this weeks Jewish Chronicle. The flights will be the first in a few years to operate direct between the UK and Eilat. In the past, passengers have had to transfer at Tel Aviv which, whilst not difficult, adds time to the journey.

The Catch? Isrotel limits the passengers to guests at their own hotels. But then there is such a selection that you should find one to suit your requirements.

The flights will be operated on planes owned by El Al's charter airline, Sun D'Or and will be full service.

We hope there are more to come...

New El Al Flights to London & Brazil

2009-05-03T09:39:00.001-07:00

El Al launched two new routes today.

The first was a 6 time-weekly flight to Luton Airport about 20 miles north of London.

The second was the airlines first flights to Brazil three times a week. The flights are to Sao Paulo with connecting flights to Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay.

More ways to get to Israel

US Airways Celebrate Tel Aviv 100

2009-04-30T02:22:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Tel Aviv's 100th birthday this year, as well as the launch of their new route between Philadelphia and the city, US Airways have some special deals on offer at the moment.

These are some sample round-trip fares:

• Philadelphia flights to Tel Aviv: $972
• Los Angeles flights to Tel Aviv: $992
• New York flights to Tel Aviv: $998
• Cleveland flights to Tel Aviv: $1,009
• Boston flights to Tel Aviv: $1,048
• Washington, D.C. flights to Tel Aviv: $1,048

The flights have to be booked at least 14 days before the date of travel, and the offer is valid until September 12. Also, you have to includea a Saturday in the time you are in Israel - not so bad as the relaxed Tel Aviv you see on a Saturday is infectious!

Tel Aviv is a great 24 hour city, crowned the "Mediterranean's capital of cool" by the NY Times. It is a great base from which to explore the rest of the incredible country of Israel which has everything from adventures to religious sites. For more, see www.touristtelaviv.com for a cool guide to Tel Aviv.

Be Cool in Israel

www.touristisrael.com

Israel one of USA Today's 6 Places You Didnt think you could afford

2009-04-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

"If you thought you could never afford a trip to the Holy Land, think again. It's now possible to wander among ancient structures, hike along the Dead Sea, sleep in a Bedouin tent, or dive in the Bay of Eilat (the northernmost point in the world for coral reefs), without going broke.

Israel's international airline, El Al is offering spring flights starting at $803 from New York City to Tel Aviv for departures before June 19 and summer flights starting at $1,199 from New York City to Tel Aviv for travel between June 20 and August 19.

If you'd prefer to skip the headache of planning your own trip, you can book a nine-day guided tour through Friendly Planet starting at $2,199, which includes airfare, accommodations, some meals, all transfers and in-country transportation, a professional tour guide, fuel surcharges, and entrance fees. The tour begins in Tel Aviv and stops in Caesarea, Tiberias, Megiddo, Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Masada, and Jerusalem. Book by May 27 for extra savings. When you consider airfare alone will cost you close to half of this price, especially after you factor in taxes and fees, you are more than likely spending less than $200 per night."

USA TODAY

For more on planning your trip - see www.touristisrael.com

Special El Al Deals on London Flights

2009-04-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the launch of their new daily route between Luton Airport and Tel Aviv, El Al are offering great introductary fares from just £195 return – a saving of £95 on the standard fare.

The first El Al flights will take off from Luton on May 3, and the offer runs until May 14.

New London to Tel Aviv Flights

2009-03-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

It has just been announced that El Al will begin flights between Luton Airport and Tel Aviv starting in May. This will be a six times a week service and will be very convenient for London's Jewish and Israeli communities who are concentrated in North West London.

More when we have it...

This adds onto rumours over Easyjet starting Tel Aviv flights in September, as well as BMI increasing capacity from London with larger aircrafts and two daily flights instead of one, and British Airways adding one extra weekly flight!

Subscribe for the latest news....

be cool in israel
www.touristisrael.com

Spring Starters - New Flights to Israel

2009-03-22T04:46:00.001-07:00

As we enter the Spring, European airlines are starting their new timetables. This sees large increases in capacity to Israel - and (hopefully) lower fares.

Some of the airlines who will be bringing more passengers into Ben Gurion Airport over the next weeks are:

Italian airline Alitalia who will add 3 more weekly flights to Milan starting March 29
British airline, BMI, who started flights to Israel last year, and have said that it has been their most successful route launch ever(!), will be adding one extra flight every day from March 31.
On April 26, Lufthansa will begin flights between Munich and Tel Aviv four times a week.
As well as this, Russian airline Aerosvit will start services to Simferopol and Donetsk.

What does this mean?

Not only does it mean that by the end of next month there will be about 20 extra flights to Israel every week, but Milan, London, and Munich are major hubs, and the extra flights give a greater chance of you finding an even greater deal on flights to Israel!

More on Easyjet to Tel Aviv

2009-03-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

Last week we broke a scoop about Easyjet starting flights to Tel Aviv.

It seems that the UK's Jewish Chronicle have investigated. The paper reports that senior staff at the airline were in Jerusalem last week for meetings with Israeli Tourism Ministry officials about the opening of a route between London's Luton and Ben Gurion Airport which will probably begin in September.

The airline denied to comment on these rumours but Luton Airport have said that they are looking for airlines to fill the Tel Aviv route.

Subscribe to the blog for more scoops.

High Chance of El Al Flights to Australia

2009-03-11T02:23:00.001-07:00

El Al have said that whilst it is not in their short term plans to fly to Australia, it is "a disconnect from reality that one day El Al will be in Australia."

As Peter Kohn wrote in the Australian Jewish News

"EL AL, Israel's national airline, will beef up its Asian service from the end of March, but according to El Al's regional manager for Asia and Oceania, Yair Berrebi, there are no short-term plans to fly direct and return routes to Australia.

Berrebi, who was in Australia for a brief visit to meet El Al representatives and travel industry executives, said El Al sees the local Jewish community as its "core business" in Australia.

Long-term hopes for direct flights from Sydney or Melbourne into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remain high, after El Al recently announced direct flights to Israel from Sao Paolo, Brazil, which has a sizeable Jewish community.

However, Berrebi said the Brazil connection was planned before the current economic downturn, and the airline would wait to see how the global picture developed before planning any new direct routes.

"I don't think it's a disconnect from reality that one day El Al will be in Australia," Berrebi told The AJN, citing the size and level of support for the airline nationally.

Meanwhile, Australian travellers can take advantage of a comprehensive network of connecting flights to Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok and Mumbai, with outbound carriers including Qantas (which has a frequent-flyer partnership with El Al), Cathay Pacific and Thai Airlines, he said.

A fifth weekly El Al flight from Hong Kong will commence from the end of this month.

Berrebi said a code-share agreement with a major airline is being negotiated, with El Al set to make an announcement soon.

When the Gaza conflict flared up in December, El Al's Asian division was hit with more than 2000 cancellations in 72 hours from some 16 countries.

Although the Gaza crisis has now subsided, the impression in Asian markets is that "tourists, pilgrims, and some from the Jewish community feel too uncomfortable to come to Israel".

In 2008, El Al recorded a rise of 60 per cent in Australian passenger volumes over the previous year's figure.

"I see it as a salute to Israel to have this kind of support from this community."

El Al's general manager for Australia Romy Leibler said support from Jewish organisations was a vital element of the relationship.

"We don't have a moral exclusivity, but we make sure we do our best to be seen as the airline of the community and the airline of Israel."

Business and trade travel between Australia and Israel is becoming a growing part of the passenger mix, he said."

Ben Gurion Airport Best in Middle East

2009-03-10T11:41:00.001-07:00

For the second year running, Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv has been named the best in the Middle East in the Airports Council International annual airport survey. The airport also came second in the world for airports with passenger traffic between 5 and 15 million. Quite an achievement!

The survey is based on passengers’ perception of the quality of 30 aspects of the service that they have experienced at an airport over the year.

Will Easyjet be Flying from London to Tel Aviv

2009-03-08T03:02:00.000-07:00

These rumours have sprung up in the past and faded away as quickly. But maybe this time its different?

The Wikipedia article for Easyjet and Ben Gurion Airport says that the airline will begin flights from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv by September. We know that Easyjet did say a few years ago that they would begin flights to Israel by 2008. This never happened, but maybe they are now reconsidering. There is definetely a market for a low-cost airline to fly from London to Tel Aviv. At the moment, there are at least 45 flights a week, although all apart from Israir are low-cost as charter-airline Thomsonfly doesnt include Tel Aviv in its summer schedule.

BMI, who began flights to Tel Aviv from London last year have not only said that it was their most successful route launch ever, but have also increased the capacity of the aircraft used, and added an extra daily flight. BA have increased capacity over the last years, as has El Al, whilst Israir have added flights during the summer.

The question of whether Easyjet will come to Israel is something which a lot of people are sitting with their fingers crossed over. True low-cost fares to Tel Aviv will surely increase passengers on this route dramatically bringing in a new type of traveller.

We hope this rumour is this time true, and as soon as we know any more, we'll be sure to let you know.

Dont Let Security Put you Off

2009-03-07T13:53:00.001-08:00

I've heard loads of reasons why people dont want to go to Israel (most of them are total rubbish) but there is one which I heard for the first time this week which made me jump - they were scared of being interrogated at the airport.

Most people view the efforts Israel puts in to securing its airports and airlines as great. It takes another weight off their mind as they travel. Ben Gurion Airport is widely regarded to be the most secure airport in the world, whilst El Al is the most secure airline. And, in terms of safety, El Al has just come fourth in the world.

For sure, some people have a bad experience when entering Israel. And yes an Israeli Jew travelling with kids is less likely to be stopped than a Western student travelling alone who has never been to Israel before, knows nobody there, and is badly dressed. But if you have nothing to hide, then nothing will happen. The aim of security is to make you safe - the security staff are there for you, and if you have nothing to hide, there will be no problem.

Of course there are horror stories out there of interrogations, but bear in mind how few and far between these are compared to how many people travel through the airports into Israel each year, and you'll realise that they are really exceptional.

So dont find excuses (and how anybody can contemplate letting high security put them off travelling somewhere is beyond me!) and get on that plane (finding the best deals on tickets through our sister site http://cheapflights.touristisrael.com) so you can come and be cool in Israel.

El Al Student and Senior Deals from London

2009-03-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

El Al is increasing the discounts it gives to senior citizens, students and children with savings of up to 40% being offered.

The airline is offering flights until the end of March from London to Tel Aviv for £292 return.

Meanwhile, rival on this route, bmi are offering free chauffeur services to Business Class passengers flying on the Tel Aviv route.

Lufthansa to fly Munich - Tel Aviv

2009-03-02T12:35:00.000-08:00

Lufthansa will start flights on the Tel Aviv - Munich route from April 26. There will be four weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

LH688 departs Munich at 09:45 CET, arriving in Tel Aviv at 14:20
LH689 departs Tel Aviv at 15:45 arriving in Munich at 18:45 CET

Israir Gets Scheduled Rights to Milan

2009-02-25T01:34:00.000-08:00

Israel's second airline, Israir has just been awarded scheduled carrier rights to fly between Tel Aviv and Milan Malpensa Airport.

This follows the airline being granted rights to fly scheduled to Berlin and Stuttgart airports which they currently fly to as charter routes.

More options to fly to Israel is great news!