Ex-TLV Routes and Flights Discussions

[zow]

Maybe if you can show a ticket returning from BOS to YYZ the same day, it can be explained that you actually need to be in BOS and YYZ at those times and then go back to BOS, and it just priced better as separate tickets. (Get BOS-YYZ that you can cancel penalty free).

It is a great suggestion, but I don’t think it will be plausible.

We are booked (with the UA ticket) on the last possible flight YYZ-BOS on Wednesday night and on the first possible flight (with the original AC ticket) on Thursday morning. There is no commercial flight BOS-YYZ after we arrive in BOS late Wednesday night.

[geshmak1]

We just did this last week. Our original itinerary, booked with the glitch, had an overnight stay in Toronto. Ended up booking separate ticket, 9 pm to Newark.when I checked my bags in tlv, I asked if they can tag it straight to ewr, the agent told me I should have arrived at airport earlier and gone to a different desk (before security) and they would have done it for me, but now it's too late.  (When I checked in in tlv, only the tlv-yyz boarding passes printed, whereas on the way to tlv, when we checked in in ewr, both sets of boarding passes automatically printed)But when we landed in yyz, anyone we spoke with did not understand why our bags weren't tagged straight through. No one cared that my original itinerary had flight scheduled for the next morning. Also, if you don't tag bags through when you check in in tlv, you may need to pay a baggage fee in yyz, as that separate ticket is not considered an international flight.

[zow]

We just did this last week. Our original itinerary, booked with the glitch, had an overnight stay in Toronto. Ended up booking separate ticket, 9 pm to Newark.when I checked my bags in tlv, I asked if they can tag it straight to ewr, the agent told me I should have arrived at airport earlier and gone to a different desk (before security) and they would have done it for me, but now it's too late.  (When I checked in in tlv, only the tlv-yyz boarding passes printed, whereas on the way to tlv, when we checked in in ewr, both sets of boarding passes automatically printed)But when we landed in yyz, anyone we spoke with did not understand why our bags weren't tagged straight through. No one cared that my original itinerary had flight scheduled for the next morning. Also, if you don't tag bags through when you check in in tlv, you may need to pay a baggage fee in yyz, as that separate ticket is not considered an international flight.

Totally helpful data point. Thank  you.
Was anticipating the  need to pay for the bag YYZ-BOS, but would be nice to avoid it!
Helpful to hear that no one in TLV was bothered by the fact that you were effectively dumping the last leg of the original ticket.
I'm not surprised the undesired second leg of the trip (YYZ-EWR) didn't print in TLV...it was probably more than 24h before departure time!
Sounds like we need to get to TLV early.
Any idea what different desk the agent meant?

[Ergel]

I doubt they'll tag your bags through, DROCIA

[geshmak1]

Totally helpful data point. Thank  you.
Was anticipating the  need to pay for the bag YYZ-BOS, but would be nice to avoid it!
Helpful to hear that no one in TLV was bothered by the fact that you were effectively dumping the last leg of the original ticket.
I'm not surprised the undesired second leg of the trip (YYZ-EWR) didn't print in TLV...it was probably more than 24h before departure time!
Sounds like we need to get to TLV early.
Any idea what different desk the agent meant?

I don't know which desk she meant, but it was not the regular place where you check your bags after the first security point. When we landed in yyz, went through the connections hallway. There was an agent at the entrance helping people who were flying to BOS. She printed our Yyz-ewr boarding passes and told us that because we flew in from tlv we should not have to pay. And when we checked our luggage (after claiming them, going thru Canadian customs), there was no mention of any fees.

As a side point, they somehow tagged one of my suitcases to Dallas to a passenger named Rashid...was quite a story straightening it all out. 

[zow]

I doubt they'll tag your bags through, DROCIA

Fair enough. The only risk in trying is that they'll suspect I'm dumping the last leg of the original ticket.  Sounds like that's not too risky.

I don't know which desk she meant, but it was not the regular place where you check your bags after the first security point. When we landed in yyz, went through the connections hallway. There was an agent at the entrance helping people who were flying to BOS. She printed our Yyz-ewr boarding passes and told us that because we flew in from tlv we should not have to pay. And when we checked our luggage (after claiming them, going thru Canadian customs), there was no mention of any fees.

As a side point, they somehow tagged one of my suitcases to Dallas to a passenger named Rashid...was quite a story straightening it all out. 

So even though you had bags checked to YYZ, you still went through the Connection to US Corridor, and they were able to get your bag to you, allow you to go through Canadian Customs, and then recheck them?! I wouldn't have expected that to work out, but I'm glad to hear.

[geshmak1]

Fair enough. The only risk in trying is that they'll suspect I'm dumping the last leg of the original ticket.  Sounds like that's not too risky.

So even though you had bags checked to YYZ, you still went through the Connection to US Corridor, and they were able to get your bag to you, allow you to go through Canadian Customs, and then recheck them?! I wouldn't have expected that to work out, but I'm glad to hear.

We did not go all the way through. Right after we went through the doors, to the left of the corridor (where they check your boarding pass) was an agent at a desk. She printed our boarding passes, sent us thru Canadian customs, then to get our luggage. Then back to the regular check in, thru security, thru us customs(that's when they realized our bag was being sent to Dallas!) and then to the gate. Was a bit of a hassle...but def beats overnight in Toronto when we've been away for a week and just want to get home. Not once was I asked about my flight the next morning, both in tlv and yyz. Had we been able to tag our bags thru to ewr at tlv would have been much simpler. But at $325 a ticket, I'm not complaining.

[zow]

We did not go all the way through. Right after we went through the doors, to the left of the corridor (where they check your boarding pass) was an agent at a desk. She printed our boarding passes, sent us thru Canadian customs, then to get our luggage. Then back to the regular check in, thru security, thru us customs(that's when they realized our bag was being sent to Dallas!) and then to the gate. Was a bit of a hassle...but def beats overnight in Toronto when we've been away for a week and just want to get home. Not once was I asked about my flight the next morning, both in tlv and yyz. Had we been able to tag our bags thru to ewr at tlv would have been much simpler. But at $325 a ticket, I'm not complaining.

We see things exactly the same way.  Thanks for taking the time to share your information. 

[geshmak1]

Np. Enjoy your trip!

[chff]

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2018-01-25-Air-Canada-Welcomes-Expanded-Canada-Israel-Air-Services-Agreement

[ExGingi]

I guess this dashes any hopes for a good fifth freedom flight. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-28/qatar-agrees-to-transparency-to-resolve-u-s-airline-dispute

Qatar Airways will commit to [...] not run any indirect flights to the U.S. through other countries

[Dan]

I guess this dashes any hopes for a good fifth freedom flight. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-28/qatar-agrees-to-transparency-to-resolve-u-s-airline-dispute

Erm, why this thread?

[ExGingi]

Erm, why this thread?

Just because I was in a good mood, so I figured I'd put it in the most unexpected thread. And after all, I added context.

[Bostener]

Erm, why this thread?

Because  ExTLV is the only route that isn't effected by the Gluf carriers.

[ExGingi]

Because  ExTLV is the only route that isn't effected by the Gluf carriers likely to ever get a fifth freedom flight.

Ftfy

[aygart]

Ftfy

I thought you would write because a fifth freedom is the only way to use the gulf carriers to TLV without adding a second stopover.

[ExGingi]

Any better source on Arkia flying to NY?

From: http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-record-air-passenger-traffic-in-2016-1001173702 last paragraph
"Arkia Airlines Ltd. and Israir Airlines and Tourism Ltd. also improved their result, posting a 30% rise in activity: 650,000 passengers on Arkia and 550,000 on Israir. Both companies are expanding their destination maps, with Arkia also planning to fly to New York and Thailand."

Well, now we presumably have a schedule and fares for TLV-BKK flights on Arkia.

Sorry, only Hebrew sources so far. Seems like Arkia is leasing a 763 for these flights. July and August service planned for Tuesdays (00:50 eastbound, 19:40 westbound) and unfortunately a second weekly flight on Shabbos, with fares as low as $350 in economy (promo, restrictions etc.), and $999 in business (each way, presumably requiring RT purchase).

http://www.mako.co.il/news-money/consumer-q1_2018/Article-5bfd0f5b0106161004.htm

https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001222198

http://m.ynet.co.il/Articles/5083864

[Denverite]

Well, now we presumably have a schedule and fares for TLV-BKK flights on Arkia.

Sorry, only Hebrew sources so far. Seems like Arkia is leasing a 763 for these flights. July and August service planned for Tuesdays (00:50 eastbound, 19:40 westbound) and unfortunately a second weekly flight on Shabbos, with fares as low as $350 in economy (promo, restrictions etc.), and $999 in business (each way, presumably requiring RT purchase).

http://www.mako.co.il/news-money/consumer-q1_2018/Article-5bfd0f5b0106161004.htm

https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001222198

http://m.ynet.co.il/Articles/5083864

Forgive my ignorance, what does Arkia’s business class look like? Those seem like a amazing rates.

[ExGingi]

Forgive my ignorance, what does Arkia’s business class look like? Those seem like a amazing rates.

I have no clue.

I doubt if they even have a business class on any of their existing routes. They are leasing widebodies specifically for this route.

TBH, not expecting anything worthwhile.

[moe8555]

The prices are good, but mile redemptions in J aren't that onerous from TLV-BKK (e.g. AA is 40K each way, plus 10% back if you have one of the CCs).

Very curious to see what product they will offer, at any rate.