Simchas Torah War - Flights Discussion Thread

[Dan]

They got a difference from 2 days, I don’t see that as shoddy

They said 2/22 last month.
It's just irresponsible journalism. This isn't mikvah talk, they're posting this as confirmed information and every other site picks it up.

[fresar]

They said 2/22 last month.
It's just irresponsible journalism. This isn't mikvah talk, they're posting this as confirmed information and every other site picks it up.

https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-united-airlines-seen-resuming-israel-flights-in-february-1001500325

Doesn’t say anywhere confirmed

[Yoel1]

Using AI & Cirium Diio data to examine all airlines from Tel Aviv to Greater NYC for the next few months reveals the following results. from 113 in February to 246 departures in May! 

In other words in the next 90 days from today (February 11) there will be a 117.7% increase in direct flights To/From JFK/EWR > TLV each month!

The total seat capacity increased from February to May will be approximately 26,600 seats to 50,000 seats!

Would be interesting to see how this will impact prices...

[Danlover111]

Using AI & Cirium Diio data to examine all airlines from Tel Aviv to Greater NYC for the next few months reveals the following results. from 113 in February to 246 departures in May! 

In other words in the next 90 days from today (February 11) there will be a 117.7% increase in direct flights To/From JFK/EWR > TLV each month!

The total seat capacity increased from February to May will be approximately 26,600 seats to 50,000 seats!

Would be interesting to see how this will impact prices...

I would hate to be right, but something tells me a lot of flights are going to be cancelled
within the next week or 2.

[ShimonFly]

I see Emirates is selling tickets to/from TLV from Oct 3, let's hope they'll actually resume

[Shmueli]

If BA cancels a RT TLV flight (meaning they don't end up resuming their flights) for the middle of May, who would they rebook me on?
Who are their rebooking partners?

[ShimonFly]

If BA cancels a RT TLV flight (meaning they don't end up resuming their flights) for the middle of May, who would they rebook me on?
Who are their rebooking partners?

In the past year they rebooked on ELAL to/from London, or from London to European city with BA then on ELAL if London flights were sold out. but there isn't a guaranty they'll offer the same

[Shmueli]

In the past year they rebooked on ELAL to/from London, or from London to European city with BA then on ELAL if London flights were sold out. but there isn't a guaranty they'll offer the same

When was the most recently you have done this?

[ShimonFly]

When was the most recently you have done this?

I haven't done it, but this is their official rebooking policy updated Jan 17:
https://www.britishairways.com/travel-partner-connect/disruptions/2024/rebook-onto-el-al--ly-#latest

[Shmueli]

If BA cancels a RT TLV flight (meaning they don't end up resuming their flights) for the middle of May, who would they rebook me on?
Who are their rebooking partners?

Tell me why this is a bad idea:

$844 RT TLV-YUL for mid-May on BA. Stopover in LHR is very long but doable.
Cheapest flight I've seen in loooong time 

If they fly, then great.
If they cancel (assuming they do about it 2 weeks or more before the flight = there are seats avail on ElAl - which I think is a safe assumption??) I get rebooked on ElAl with a better/shorter connection in LHR.

Is my only risk, that BA WOULD resume flying, and then something flairs up last min, they cancel, and then there are no seats left on ElAl?
I feel that would be highly unlikely since it would mean they resume flying (unlikely #1 since they haven't flown since Oct 7) and even if they do resume it is fairly unlikely that something will flair up so soon to my flight that there would be no open seats left on ElAl (unlikely #2).

Convince me I'm wrong, and why I should spend much more for a star alliance flight w/ a stop in Europe (which can get cancelled + no ElAl rebooking as a backup), or an expensive 2-part ticket with ElAl to Europe and a different airline from there to YUL.

[ShimonFly]

Tell me why this is a bad idea:

$844 RT TLV-YUL for mid-May on BA. Stopover in LHR is very long but doable.
Cheapest flight I've seen in loooong time 

If they fly, then great.
If they cancel (assuming they do about it 2 weeks or more before the flight = there are seats avail on ElAl - which I think is a safe assumption??) I get rebooked on ElAl with a better/shorter connection in LHR.

Is my only risk, that BA WOULD resume flying, and then something flairs up last min, they cancel, and then there are no seats left on ElAl?
I feel that would be highly unlikely since it would mean they resume flying (unlikely #1 since they haven't flown since Oct 7) and even if they do resume it is fairly unlikely that something will flair up so soon to my flight that there would be no open seats left on ElAl (unlikely #2).

Convince me I'm wrong, and why I should spend much more for a star alliance flight w/ a stop in Europe (which can get cancelled + no ElAl rebooking as a backup), or an expensive 2-part ticket with ElAl to Europe and a different airline from there to YUL.

+1, Even if there's no availability to London on LY you can fly LY to Europe then BA to London and YUL. It is 2 stops but at least you're not left without options

[Shmueli]

+1, Even if there's no availability to London on LY you can fly LY to Europe then BA to London and YUL. It is 2 stops but at least you're not left without options

Great point. Now it's 2 vs 0 

Anyone else?

[baron]

Great point. Now it's 2 vs 0 

Anyone else?

Y not book something cancelable as a backup on elal as well? Qantas, Virgin or Delta? Then do whatever you want.

[Chester7]

If I book Austrian through United, if they cancel will they re book me on a diff airline?

[moish145]

Tell me why this is a bad idea:

$844 RT TLV-YUL for mid-May on BA. Stopover in LHR is very long but doable.
Cheapest flight I've seen in loooong time 

If they fly, then great.
If they cancel (assuming they do about it 2 weeks or more before the flight = there are seats avail on ElAl - which I think is a safe assumption??) I get rebooked on ElAl with a better/shorter connection in LHR.

Is my only risk, that BA WOULD resume flying, and then something flairs up last min, they cancel, and then there are no seats left on ElAl?
I feel that would be highly unlikely since it would mean they resume flying (unlikely #1 since they haven't flown since Oct 7) and even if they do resume it is fairly unlikely that something will flair up so soon to my flight that there would be no open seats left on ElAl (unlikely #2).

Convince me I'm wrong, and why I should spend much more for a star alliance flight w/ a stop in Europe (which can get cancelled + no ElAl rebooking as a backup), or an expensive 2-part ticket with ElAl to Europe and a different airline from there to YUL.

I agree that that is your only risk, however I think it's unlikely they won't resume if there is no flare up. They actually have flown since Oct 7 and sometimes even when other european airlines were not.

[mevinyavin]

Cheapish (455euro) Emirates flights MXP-JFK-MXP including Pesach and Sukkos (according to this post, didn't personally check).
Combine with IL airline TLV-MXP-TLV for a cheap US combo
https://www.fly4free.com/flight-deals/europe/emirates-flights-from-milan-to-new-york-3/

[Shmueli]

I agree that that is your only risk, however I think it's unlikely they won't resume if there is no flare up. They actually have flown since Oct 7 and sometimes even when other european airlines were not.

I did not know that. When did they last fly? How long did it last for?

[Aviw]

[Dan]

Source? Interesting that they're still selling tickets for May, any arbitrage opportunity?

[Jack Last]

Anyone flying alone who isn't scared of 21 hours flight time should go Ethiopian, very cheap, 99% you will get three seats for yourself if you know how to...
Decent service, edible kosher meals and funny. (Having their pilot on the safety video speaking garbled english, in airport bathroom having attendant spray refreshener into stalls while they are being used...)
There is a functioning Chabad shul in ADD airport and relaxing chairs everywhere.
They have been flying non stop since Oct 7