EL AL introduces hand-luggage only fares
Israeli airline EL AL is to introduce hand-luggage only fares while at the same time ditching its four-year-old budget airline UP.
The carrier announced at a press conference today that El AL will adopt UP’s pricing strategy, so it will offer three ticket types: hand-luggage only Lite fares, Classic fares, which include 23kg of hold-luggage and choice of seating, and fully-inclusive Flexible fares, which allow ticket changes at no additional cost.
The new fares will go on sale in April for travel from October 15, 2018.
EL AL did not say how much cheaper the Lite fares would be compared to its Classic and Flexible tickets.
The airline also confirmed today that UP, which was launched in 2014 and operates cheap flights from Berlin, Budapest, Kiev, Larnaca and Prague to Israel, will cease flying in October.
Managing director of Northern Europe and Africa Oranit Bet-Halahmy, pictured left, said that despite the introduction of cheaper, Lite fares, it was not EL AL’s intention to become a low-cost carrier.
All passengers will continue to receive full onboard service, including complimentary in-flight meals, regardless of their ticket type, she said, adding: "We’re Israelis, food is expected on flights."
The airline currently operates a double-daily service from London Heathrow and it plans to add a double-daily service from Luton, due to the inability to expand further at slot-constrained Heathrow.
The Heathrow flights are currently operated by Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, and from Luton EL AL uses smaller 737s, which are being overhauled.
Four more 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft are expected to join EL AL’s fleet by the end of this year as part of a greater 16-aircraft acquisition plan.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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