LAX to TLV... Best option?
Aug 5, 2012 | 2:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,889
I want to go to TLV next year, from LAX. Preferably in J, or at least a Premium Y. Will need 2 tickets.
I have miles with BA, AA and UA.
I dont mind a stop (or a stopover) somewhere in Europe or elsewhere, if necessary.
I prefer not to pay the crazy fees associated with BA stopping at LHR.
What flight options should I be taking a closer look at?
I have miles with BA, AA and UA.
I dont mind a stop (or a stopover) somewhere in Europe or elsewhere, if necessary.
I prefer not to pay the crazy fees associated with BA stopping at LHR.
What flight options should I be taking a closer look at?
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/23168
Aug 5, 2012 | 5:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
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Aug 6, 2012 | 9:16 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Posts: 215
Aug 6, 2012 | 1:28 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,760
As mentioned obliquely above I think within *A the acknowledged best option is LX (SWISS). They're the only European *A carrier flying their longhaul J seat to TLV (usually) and their longhaul J is one of the best.
They do fly from LAX so that would get you onto international longhaul J asap rather than have domestic F segments. The downside is it looks like you would have a 7 hour connection in ZRH and your trip would consist of two red-eye flights and arrive at 3:30am. Possibly it would be better to spend a night in a hotel and fly on the morning flight.
I'm not sure how that compares to your OW options as I don't really know OW.
Not sure if you have enough UA miles. UA is all one-way so if necessary you could do UA miles for the trip there and AA miles for the return.
They do fly from LAX so that would get you onto international longhaul J asap rather than have domestic F segments. The downside is it looks like you would have a 7 hour connection in ZRH and your trip would consist of two red-eye flights and arrive at 3:30am. Possibly it would be better to spend a night in a hotel and fly on the morning flight.
I'm not sure how that compares to your OW options as I don't really know OW.
Not sure if you have enough UA miles. UA is all one-way so if necessary you could do UA miles for the trip there and AA miles for the return.
Aug 6, 2012 | 2:45 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,516
This is kind of a silly thread, as there are too many options you have to consider. If you have dates in mind, see whats available those dates. In addition to the nonstop LAX-TLV on El Al, the one stop options are: LAX-IST-TLV on Turkish, LAX-PHL-TLV on US Air/United, LAX-EWR-TLV on United, LAX-YYZ-TLV on Air Canada (All Star), LAX-TLX-TLV on Air Berlin, LAX-LHR-TLV (American/El Al) (One World).
If you're willing to stop two places, there are dozens of routings.
If you're willing to stop two places, there are dozens of routings.
Aug 6, 2012 | 11:02 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Aug 6, 2012 | 11:23 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Aug 7, 2012 | 11:38 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MSN
Posts: 8,051
Here's one little anecdote about flying out of Tel Aviv. Israeli airport security is quite different than in the USA. The Israeli agents ask you questions. I think they are looking for how you react to the questions. Sometimes the questions come out of left field. I was traveling with my wife, and we each had one piece of checked luggage. So an agent asked me at one point: "how many pairs of shoes are in your bag?" Well, since I'm a man, I knew the answer. I only had 2 pairs of shoes packed. Fortunately, they did not ask my wife that question. Only God knew how many pairs of shoes were in her luggage.