Upcoming Biz Flight
Apr 3, 2021, 3:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: KLM
Posts: 100
Apr 15, 2021, 8:13 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: 30,000 Feet
Programs: LY Top Platinum, AA Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 863
Would love to hear about flying LY in Biz "post" covid...
Is Business check-in still in the back?
Is there still a VIP line through security?
At what point do they ask for and/or look at your PCR test in Israel?
Since the KDL is closed, does LY give access to the Dan lounge? Or a voucher to buy stuff?
Are any shops open airside in TLV?
Are the biz in-flight amenities still the same? Food? Beverages?
Is the inflight wifi working?
Upon landing in the USA anything different about CBP? At what point, if any, do they ask to see a PCR test?
Sorry for so many questions - really want to know. Haven't travelled in a year and I just don't know what to expect.
Apr 17, 2021, 2:04 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 28
Not so good
So far :
business security line longer then regular
checkin counters are moved to the front - fairly long wait
no separate security line for business after checkin
One would think that at a time like this the airline would do what they could to attract very frequent travelers (top plat)
not make them see zero value for loyalty
KD lounge still closed (given voucher for Cafe)
Inflight service no real changes - meal in C served in one course
did do a round of drinks and nuts prior to meal service
business security line longer then regular
checkin counters are moved to the front - fairly long wait
no separate security line for business after checkin
One would think that at a time like this the airline would do what they could to attract very frequent travelers (top plat)
not make them see zero value for loyalty
KD lounge still closed (given voucher for Cafe)
Inflight service no real changes - meal in C served in one course
did do a round of drinks and nuts prior to meal service
Last edited by Pihawkins; Apr 17, 2021 at 5:39 pm
Apr 23, 2021, 4:46 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 28
Return flight JFK-TLV
Long biz security lines
no lounge (I was able to use Amex lounge )
most other airlines have reopened theirs
Meals were back to before
Internet service working
Corona virus testing on arrival at TLV went very smoothly
no lounge (I was able to use Amex lounge )
most other airlines have reopened theirs
Meals were back to before
Internet service working
Corona virus testing on arrival at TLV went very smoothly
Apr 23, 2021, 1:59 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: LY-PL, A3-*G
Posts: 1,680
did you book a test on arrival? How long did it take?
Apr 24, 2021, 11:35 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 28
LY security
there was about 15-20 wait for biz security
then another 20 min wait for checkin- very disorganized
zero recognition along the entire journey for TP status
(this was in marked contrast to United 1k)
I have Clear in US and went through TSA pretty quickly
unfortunately LY does not participate in TSA precheck
At TLV the Covid test went very quickly
I had prebooked - surprisingly well organized and efficient and free for arriving passengers !
there was about 15-20 wait for biz security
then another 20 min wait for checkin- very disorganized
zero recognition along the entire journey for TP status
(this was in marked contrast to United 1k)
I have Clear in US and went through TSA pretty quickly
unfortunately LY does not participate in TSA precheck
At TLV the Covid test went very quickly
I had prebooked - surprisingly well organized and efficient and free for arriving passengers !
Apr 25, 2021, 3:22 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: LY-PL, A3-*G
Posts: 1,680
May 1, 2021, 2:41 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: 30,000 Feet
Programs: LY Top Platinum, AA Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 863
Just did RT TLV-JFK-TLV
My impressions (as a TP):
Departing TLV:
What used to take 15 minutes curbside to rotunda, took me nearly 50 minutes with the check to merely get into the terminal (needed to show a "Tav Yarok", passport and flight itinerary/tkt to get in), no real pre-check-in in business security line; the business check in is limited to 2 counters on the regular main hall side; no business/vip pre-passport security line. The check-in agent asked to see a negative PCR and proof the MOH form was submitted. No mention of US or NY form, even though the LY website said we needed it. Rotunda is a near ghost town. Lounge is closed. Dan lounge (which I had Priority Pass access to) is pathetic. LY gave a voucher to use at the cafes, both of which claim to be kosher but are open on Shabbat - so useless for me. Inflight was pretty much same as pre-pandemic, except I actually thought the food was better! Amenity kit got a slight upgrade: The eye-mask actually fits on your face now and isn't tight. Also, cool TLV-NYC socks. FA's were cordially enforcing masks over the nose and mouth (and not the standard Israeli chin adornment).
Arriving JFK:
Aside the fact that everybody was wearing masks, all the same as pre-pandemic. No questions or requests for any form or even to see a negative PCR. Rather strange, considering the hype.
Departing JFK:
Anybody can get into the terminal, not just pax. Same LY check-in counters. Same process. Same VIP lines and counters. Check-in agent asked to see negative PCR and MOH form (when you fill out the MOH form online, you have the opportunity to upload your MOH Vaccination Certificate (Israeli cert only) which serves as your "Get Out of Jail Free" card from bidud upon arrival in Israel). TSA the usual idiots. Lounge closed. $15 LY voucher - somewhat useful since packaged food could be bought from the couple of vendors open. Main section T4 shops mostly closed - but what's the difference since to buy DF for an LY flight ex-JFK you need to pass TSA 3 hours before the flight (really stupid and nothing to do with the pandemic....or with security, but that's another conversation). Inflight - as far as I can tell, food is not Borenstein - and it was far superior. Oh - the WIFI worked on both flights.
Arriving TLV:
Passport machines for all pax at the end of each "arm" (D gates). Then walk down to baggage claim, collect bags go through customs (suddenly occurred to me that Israel is the only country in the world with actual vulture inspectors hovering over pax on the green "nothing to declare" line). Out the double doors - the meet your family/friends area is divided up and all pax are routed through to the left to an external tent (all contained) where the Check2Fly area is setup. First stop is an agent who asks to see your barcode for a PCR test (signup ahead of time online and print the barcode). Agent gives you couple of stickers which you then bring to the other side for a PCR test. I didn't have to wait at all. Post swab, you get a green wrist band which gets you out. Getting out was a breeze - very well organized, efficient, and smooth. PCR result arrived by e-mail 5 hours later.
My impressions (as a TP):
Departing TLV:
What used to take 15 minutes curbside to rotunda, took me nearly 50 minutes with the check to merely get into the terminal (needed to show a "Tav Yarok", passport and flight itinerary/tkt to get in), no real pre-check-in in business security line; the business check in is limited to 2 counters on the regular main hall side; no business/vip pre-passport security line. The check-in agent asked to see a negative PCR and proof the MOH form was submitted. No mention of US or NY form, even though the LY website said we needed it. Rotunda is a near ghost town. Lounge is closed. Dan lounge (which I had Priority Pass access to) is pathetic. LY gave a voucher to use at the cafes, both of which claim to be kosher but are open on Shabbat - so useless for me. Inflight was pretty much same as pre-pandemic, except I actually thought the food was better! Amenity kit got a slight upgrade: The eye-mask actually fits on your face now and isn't tight. Also, cool TLV-NYC socks. FA's were cordially enforcing masks over the nose and mouth (and not the standard Israeli chin adornment).
Arriving JFK:
Aside the fact that everybody was wearing masks, all the same as pre-pandemic. No questions or requests for any form or even to see a negative PCR. Rather strange, considering the hype.
Departing JFK:
Anybody can get into the terminal, not just pax. Same LY check-in counters. Same process. Same VIP lines and counters. Check-in agent asked to see negative PCR and MOH form (when you fill out the MOH form online, you have the opportunity to upload your MOH Vaccination Certificate (Israeli cert only) which serves as your "Get Out of Jail Free" card from bidud upon arrival in Israel). TSA the usual idiots. Lounge closed. $15 LY voucher - somewhat useful since packaged food could be bought from the couple of vendors open. Main section T4 shops mostly closed - but what's the difference since to buy DF for an LY flight ex-JFK you need to pass TSA 3 hours before the flight (really stupid and nothing to do with the pandemic....or with security, but that's another conversation). Inflight - as far as I can tell, food is not Borenstein - and it was far superior. Oh - the WIFI worked on both flights.
Arriving TLV:
Passport machines for all pax at the end of each "arm" (D gates). Then walk down to baggage claim, collect bags go through customs (suddenly occurred to me that Israel is the only country in the world with actual vulture inspectors hovering over pax on the green "nothing to declare" line). Out the double doors - the meet your family/friends area is divided up and all pax are routed through to the left to an external tent (all contained) where the Check2Fly area is setup. First stop is an agent who asks to see your barcode for a PCR test (signup ahead of time online and print the barcode). Agent gives you couple of stickers which you then bring to the other side for a PCR test. I didn't have to wait at all. Post swab, you get a green wrist band which gets you out. Getting out was a breeze - very well organized, efficient, and smooth. PCR result arrived by e-mail 5 hours later.