Urgent: Experience-based tips for Israel tickets

amother

Mon, Aug 19 2024, 4:06 pm

I need to travel to Israel in a few days but can’t afford EL AL (2-3k per ticket). Which airlines are currently flying to Israel and are less likely to cancel flights next week? I’d prefer an airline with a stable recent record.

Also, any tips on finding the most affordable tickets? Has anyone tried booking EL AL from Europe and a separate ticket with another airline to Europe?

What have others in similar situations done?

I would really appreciate any advice.

Thank you!

b_forsher

Wed, Aug 21 2024, 7:30 pm

Don't know if it's still applicable, but try looking on Justfly. There's a few airlines flying...they have stopovers, but they're reasonably priced. And if your stopover is long you can do some touring:)

Ruchi ↓

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 3:30 am

amother OP wrote:

Come via London. There are 3 different airlines operating from here, including Elal.
Though, the longer you wait to book, the higher the prices will climb.
There's an option for Wednesday that will cost you around $900 return from London with Wizz Air. This is considered cheap for last minute booking, during peak travel season.

Last edited by Ruchi on Thu, Aug 22 2024, 3:38 am; edited 1 time in total

Elfrida ↓

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 3:33 am

As far as I know, British Airways is still flying regularly from London, though I think their prices are similar to ElAl.

The budget airlines have stopped flying.

↑ Elfrida

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 4:05 am

Yesterday ElAl announced fixed prices from four main transport hubs. You could get a flight to one of them, and then continue on ElAl.

The four destinations, which will serve as hubs for flights to and from Israel, are Athens, Vienna, Dubai and Larnaca. The volume of flights to those airports will be increased, according to a statement from El Al, and travelers will have more options for connecting flights from there.

The fixed price for a roundtrip ticket will be $199 to Larnaca, $299 to Athens, and $349 to both Vienna and Dubai.

Those prices are for “lite” tickets in economy class. El Al estimated that around 80,000 such seats will be available until the end of 2024.

DrMom

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 4:24 am

Why don't you look on a site like Kiwi or Kayak or Google Flights, etc?

You can input your departure and destination cities, dates, etc., and you get a list of flights, including combinations of flights that include a stopover with flight on different airlines that you can string together as connecting flights.

Then you can book directly with the airlines (I find that is safer).

amother

Feverfew

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 4:38 am

Personally, I would use a travel agent. Especially an experienced one.

I flew to the USA via Delta at the end of July. Was glad to have him help me as my return flight got cancelled.

amother

Kiwi

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 5:26 am

I booked a few tickets to Israel over the past few months. To save money I looked for the cheapest ElAl tickets to European cities. Them booked separate tickets to and from America to that city. Nerve wracking because the tickets are not booked together so if a flight leaves late it is up to you to rebook. The airlines I booked with allowed me to cancel my flight anytime before it takes off for a refund. The only problem is that rebooking a last minute ticket often is $$$$. BH it worked out. I also booked through the Capital One portal and paid extra for their flight disruption insurance. I don’t know if it would have really helped because I didn’t have to use it but it made me feel better and the the overall cost of the tickets were still lower than elal direct.

↑ Ruchi

Thu, Aug 22 2024, 10:01 am

Elfrida wrote:

As far as I know, British Airways is still flying regularly from London, though I think their prices are similar to ElAl.

The budget airlines have stopped flying.

Wizz is flying.
Ryanair and Easyjet are not.