T3 - Why Bother?
Mar 16, 2014 | 11:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
T3 - Why Bother?
Sitting on my TK flight to SAW this morning where instead of boarding at a gate we got bussed all the way to the old ramp in front of T1 where there was another TK plane, AZ, Arkia and a few others. The question is - if the rest of the airport is so congested that they have to bus us back to the ramp in front of T1, why don't they just dedicate T1 to certain airlines and reduce the congestion?
Mar 17, 2014 | 2:57 am
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: tlv
Programs: AA Platinum, LY Matmid
Posts: 804
I don't think that the issue is congestion. I think that it is a matter of money. I have heard and read that the Airport authority charges the airlines less if they use T1 instead of T3.
It has happened to me with Alitalia in the past, and I saw plenty of open gates on the way, and will probably happen to me this week again
It has happened to me with Alitalia in the past, and I saw plenty of open gates on the way, and will probably happen to me this week again
Mar 17, 2014 | 6:08 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
They do indeed charge less for T1 which is why LCCs use T1. But I thought that the was for the whole 9 yards (i.e. check-in, gate use, etc.). If they're paying the lower number in order to use T1, why do they get T3 "privileges?"
Mar 17, 2014 | 9:41 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
The thing is that easyjet has checkin at t1 then they bus you to t3 where you board through a jet bridge. With today's TK flight I checked in at T3 then got bussed back to the Tarmac in front of T1 to board with stairs. Neither one makes sense to me.
Mar 17, 2014 | 1:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NYC Area
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,312
Perhaps they want pax to take advantage of T3 duty free shopping and amenities?
Mar 17, 2014 | 11:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
Mar 18, 2014 | 3:51 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: tlv
Programs: AA Platinum, LY Matmid
Posts: 804
Mar 18, 2014 | 12:34 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
Mar 18, 2014 | 1:52 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
Mar 18, 2014 | 3:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
Dovster should be able to contribute to this thread - if I'm not mistaken he's an Alitalia frequenter.
Mar 23, 2014 | 12:38 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
The duty free may be free of duty but the prices are still often quite bad. I bought a bottle of Jack Daniels that cost $40 in the duty free, was for sale for $35 on the plane (Arkia) and $27 or so in a store in Barcelona.
Mar 23, 2014 | 12:48 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NYC Area
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,312
I found that the duty free prices in TLV are quite high compared to duty free at most Asian and some EU airports.
Mar 23, 2014 | 1:32 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
I find they vary based on what you're buying. Electronics and wine are never a good deal at TLV. I usually do buy whiskey (or whisky) at TLV, because their prices are significantly cheaper than at Israeli shops, and is also cheaper than other airports (though not by much). I've found them to be similarly priced to liquor shops in the USA, except in those shops, you're getting 750 ml but in James Richardson, you get 1 liter.
Mar 23, 2014 | 2:47 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Elite Amb, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 13,004
When comparing however make sure you do compare like to like because in Europe and often on airline Duty Free the bottles are 0.70L rather than a Liter.