New Challenges as EL AL Israel Airlines Turns 70
As EL AL – Israel’s flag carrier – turns 70, the carrier has much to celebrate. EL AL ordered 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with gorgeous cabins to replace its aging fleet; and announced a new longhaul route to San Francisco* (SFO) in addition to resuming service to Miami (MIA).
Tourist demand to Israel is strong – up 13% last year – and EL AL reported an 11% increase in revenues for the first quarter of 2018. The bad news? Increased fuel prices and expanding operations also led to a 15% increase in costs. EL AL reported a $44 million loss in Q1, up from $30 million in 2017.
*EL AL has since delayed the launch of SFO to May 2019, citing aircraft availability issues.
EL AL’s UP Goes Down Amidst a Changing Landscape
EL AL launched a pseudo-low-cost carrier costly new brand in 2014 – EL AL ‘UP’ – amidst growing competition from low-cost carriers. The low fare brand concept (buy-on-board, no first class, etc.) replaced EL AL’s ‘full service’ to a grand total of just five destinations in Europe:
- Berlin: Up to 11 weekly flights
- Prague: Up to 11 weekly flights
- Kiev: Up to 11 weekly flights
- Budapest: Up to 11 weekly flights
- Larnaca: Up to 6 weekly flights
Unsurprisingly, UP never quite took off. EL AL is retiring the UP brand as it switches to a new fare concept for Europe. Here’s what EL AL has to say…
Why is the UP brand being merged with EL AL?
In light of UP`s success and the experience we have gained with this brand, we decided to unite all European destinations under one brand, EL AL, as we adapt our service to the diverse needs of the Israeli consumer and review all of our European destinations.
EL AL UP Boeing 737-800 | Image: EL AL UP
EL AL Launches New Fare Concept for Europe
Along with the sunsetting of the UP brand, EL AL is launching a new fare concept for flights to Europe on or after October 15, 2018. The fare structure (mostly) makes sense and largely follows industry trends of segmenting economy fares and charging for extras like seat assignments and extra legroom.
EL AL Fare Structure to Europe | Image: EL AL
“Mostly” makes sense, with one notable exception – charging for upgrades with no service. Economy passengers on a Lite or Classic fare can upgrade to business class seating – again, no service – for $300. Flex fare passengers can automatically assign seats in economy plus (Premium) or business class, but they too will only receive the seat, not the service. From EL AL’s website,
The service includes seating only in Premium Classes without full service. Passengers who purchased a Flex flight ticket in Economy Class to Europe, for departures as of October 15th, 2018, will be eligible for Premium Classes Seating Without full service.
El Al Seating on Flights to Europe
EL AL Seating on Flights to Europe
Or, for $700, you can upgrade to business class – including the service – during the flight. In other words, El Al thinks their short-haul business class service is worth an additional $400! Wow.
El Al Seating Upgrades
El Al Upgrade Options…with Service
Since the new service – or lack thereof – doesn’t begin until October 15, it’s not clear how EL AL plans to differentiate service levels in business class. Imagine sitting next to someone who is served a decent business class meal and the flight attendant says, “here’s your tray from economy.” Surely, that service differentiation will not please passengers who already paid hundreds for an upgrade.
EL AL Boeing 787-9 | Image: El Al
EL AL Will Keep Aging Boeing 747-400 and 767-300 Until 2019
Despite an earlier announcement, EL AL will keep its older Boeing 747-400 and 767-300 aircraft through summer 2019 – for now. The three-class 747-400 aircraft will primarily fly the Tel Aviv (TLV) – New York (JFK) route. Other routes that will eventually be replaced with 777 or 787 service include:
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – Johannesburg (JNB) 777-200ER service effective October 28, 2018
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – Bangkok (BKK) 777-200ER service effective March 31, 2019
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – Mumbai (BOM) 777-200ER service effective June 30, 2019
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – Toronto (YYZ) 787-9 service effective June 30, 2019
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – Boston (BOS) 777-200ER service effective July 2, 2019
H/T: Routesonline
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