All Entries Tagged With: "flights"
bmi out – jet2.com and easyJet in!
OK, bmi’s recent announcement they are shutting down their Tel Aviv service might have signaled bad days ahead for the tourism industry, but then Jet2.com go and put a smile on our faces with the news they are to double the number of flights per week (to twice a week) from Manchester to Tel Aviv.
Thanks to amazing demand (since May 2009 some 10,000 passengers have flown with Jet2.com), from March 2010 there will be two flights per week, Mondays and Thursdays, jetting into Tel Aviv. In fact, with the holiday of Hanukkah coming in the next few days, additional flights have been arranged for this busy holiday period.
The big man over at Jet2.com, Phillip Meeson, had this to say:
We’re obviously delighted with the success of our Tel Aviv flights and thrilled with the great feedback that’s been received since we started the route in May this year. Because of this response, we’re happy to announce that we’re extending our Tel Aviv service to twice weekly from March 2010 giving our passengers more choice and flexibility when they travel.
We say keep those cheapo flights jetting in. What with easyJet’s recent entry into the market, flying to and from England has never been kinder on our wallets!
Cheapest ever flights to Tel Aviv?
This last week (starting on 21st May to be precise) saw the first flights from Jet2.com landing in Tel Aviv. And boy, these are probably the cheapest flights to Tel Aviv from the UK you’re ever going to find. I did a quick search for Tel Aviv flights (return) in September and October and they worked out at just over $300, including taxes. That’s quite a price, I think you’ll agree. Peak summer season prices are a little higher, working out on average at around $450, but that’s still pretty cheap.
Jet2.com offer the only direct flights from the north of England to Tel Aviv and they look like they might just be on to a winner, especially in the current economic climate. Can’t fault the words of the Jet2.com Managing Director, Ian Doubtfire:
“The inaugural flight to Tel Aviv marks and emphasises the commitment Jet2.com has to explore a variety of new markets and countries. Tel Aviv is a thriving and cosmopolitan beach city that makes an exciting holiday destination. As the only direct route from the North, we are in an unrivalled position to offer both the lowest ever fares and fastest service into Israel. Tel Aviv is an extremely popular destination and we are confident there will be a huge demand for this service.”
They’re so confident about this new Manchester-Tel Aviv route that they’ve increased the number of flights from weekly to twice weekly during Christmas/New Year and Easter/Passover next year.
As is usual with all these cheap airlines you get what you pay for, and I’m sure the prices will have an impact on the service provided. But if you’re prepared to put up with a few hours of lacklustre service and save a few hundred $$$ this could be the flight for you. And if any of you have experience of a flight with Jet2.com (especially flights to Tel Aviv), please let us know, we’d love to report back here with good and/or bad reviews.
South America ready for the Israeli invasion?
El Al’s new flight routes to South America are being publicized on Israeli TV these last few days. With the help of a couple of local celebs, they are getting some attention and raising a smile or two. I know that my wife just cracks up when she sees the ad below. Unfortunately it’s in Hebrew, and is a play on words that even I didn’t get. The catch line that seems to tickle everyone’s funny bone is “Ver be sof, ha-akavish okesh otcha”, which roughly translates to “And finally, the spider [should be bites but the mispronounced Hebrew means nothing but seems to have everybody in stiches] you”. But if your Hebrew is very good and you can get past the play on words, then this is for you…
By the way, these flights to South America are already in demand and are predicted to be the next big thang. In comparison, direct flights to Thailand were slow to attract customers when first introduced a few years ago, but now some 200,000 Israelis fly to Bangkok every year. The same and more is expected for Latin America.
The Holy Land gets a double dosage of Brits
Due to high demand, BMI have now doubled their daily flights from Heathrow to Tel Aviv to 2, starting 30.3.09. BMI seem to be pushing these flights to those planning a short holiday or business trip thanks to the scheduled flights at the beginning and end of the day. From May, BMI will be introducing an A330 aircraft to the Tel Aviv flight, which will have an on-board chef and fully-flat beds in Business Class.
Click here for more information about flights to Israel.
