Arkia or Israir?
 

I'm going to be flying TLV-ETH-TLV on my next trip to Israel.

It looks like Arkia and Israir are the two airlines that fly the route.

Does anyone have experience with them? Is either one better than the other?

Thank you.

I have flown Arkia but not Israir. What I like is that you can fly out from the TLV downtown city airport located by the ocean, which is so much more convenient than schlepping to Ben Gurion.

However if I am correct only Arkia flys out of Sve Dov, not Israir as they do not have prop planes and I believe Sve Dov does not handle jets.

It seems that Israir also now offer flights from Sve Dov. Arkia is a very old larger established company that has been operating since 50 years vs. Israir which is smaller and less than 10 years old.

Arkia and Israir both offer flights from SDV (Sde Dov, located at the north of TelAviv near the mediterenean) and TLV (Ben Gurion airport).

Arkia (IZ) operate Dash-7 (or Q-4000) and ATR-72 out of SDV, and the same with additional all-coach 757 service from TLV. Israir oprate an ATR-42 (shorter than the 72) with additional 757 service from TLV.

Flights are pretty much the same with all-coach seating, beverage and peanuts or other bagged-snack service only and no real meal. Flight time is about 60 minutes on the non-jets (ATR flights are about 5-10 minutes shorter than the DASH), and about 35 minutes on the jets.

Israir tend to be a little cheaper. TLV flights are cheaper than the SDV ones. SDV has a better schedule with more frequent flights.

I recommend taking the ATR flights on either carriers from SDV. These planes fly pretty low and on a nice day (plenty of those in Israel) you get to see a lot of Israel from the sky. The flight route usualy take you over Route 1 to Jerusalem and then south above the Jordan valley, Massada and the dead sea on a direct line to Eilat. You usualy get a good Panorama of both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on these flights. The ATR-72 is much newer, more quiet and more comfortable than the DASH-7 on Arkia. The only difference between the -42(Israir) and the -72(Arkia) is the length and number of seats.

Please note that Eilat airport (ETH) will be closed during the winter time for about 1-2 months for runway renovations. It is a single runway airport so it will have to shut down. At those times, the planes will fly to Ovda which is about 45-60 minutes drive from Eilat.


[This message has been edited by apirchik (edited Jan 01, 2004).]

As mentioned above, between Jan 19 and Feb 21 ETH airport is closed.

Arkia flies in this time to Yotveta (about 35 Km north of Eilat). Since it's a very short runway there, they can use only DASH-7 planes for this route.
Israir flies their ATR planes to Ovda (about 60 KM North-west of Eilat).
Both offer bus service between the ETH terminal and the alternate airports.

Toda. A friend of mine told me to do this and that it is about a $100US to do it.

May I just walk up to the counter and buy the ticket? I think I would leave from TLV as then I can see more planes from the big airport.

Do they have a special domestic terminal or do you leave from the main terminal?

Do they have the same security searches on the domestic flights?( I am guessing not) I won't have any luggage, just carry on to go for the day so I am assuming that security will be easy on this one.

I would overnight in Eilat but the hotels are so expensive so will stick with TLV,
thanks.

Also, how much is a taxi from greater Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion? Is there a good(safe) airport bus service?

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YAS+

I hate to offer an un-Flyertalky suggestion... but unless you're connecting from another flight, I think taking an Egged express bus from Tel Aviv to Eilat would definitely be cheaper, and probably faster and more convinient too when you figure in the hassle of getting to/from the airport, esp. if ETH is now closed. Buses leave every hour from the central bus station in both towns, the trip costs around 50 shekels one way and takes ~4 hours including a break. Showing up at the bus station 15 minutes before the bus is quite sufficient to pass through the comparatively minimal security and buy tickets.

Thanks and good info. I would want to fly for the scenery and to fly an Israeli airline, why I am considering. I wouldn't have the time to give up 8 hours of precious time. However, on a future trip, will consider for the scenery on the ground, if time permits.

When will the Eilat Airport be open again?
If not open when I am there maybe I will wait. Ovda sounds very boring and in the middle of nowhere.

I would say take a fun flight to Amman but the security and customs involved with an int'l flight is too much hassle, though it would be cool to do.

It is much better to go to Eilat from Sve Dov airport. However as the previous poster stated it is not worth flying there if u have to land in Ovda or whatever it's called. I believe it's nearly 0ne hour from Eilat by bus.

Arkia have a 1 night tour I think to Eilat and Petra in Jordan.

They have a web site and you can E mail them.

Thank you. Do you have their web address-Arkia? Israir? I have seen ELAL's site many times and it is quite good.

Just curious. What happens if you fly to Amman? extra security? What if I have no luggage and go for the day, assuming that is possible ?!

I have picked the flights to Eilat that I would do, depending on fare and if Eilat Airport is open. Keep Ovda. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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YAS+

The usual "arrive at airport 3 hours before departure" bit with interview, triplicate security screening, yadda yadda; the normal Israeli routine, but not something most people like to put with more often than they have to. And if you go to AMM for a day I'd like to know what on earth you plan to do there...! I'm not even sure you can daytrip as there aren't too many flights.

This trip, too, is faster by car: AMM to TLV is all of 110 km, although you usually end up spending at least as much time twiddling your thumbs at the border as the rest of trip.

Thank you. Good info. Probably wouldn't even think about it with all the crap at the border, airport. Did you say triple security? So you mean I get more than usual? ick

I hope that domestically it is easier. I will ask around and will maybe buy a ticket there if I want to go flying.

Won't have any luggage, maybe not even take carry on, wear shorts and a t-shirt, what the hell more can they do with me? Don't answer that. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks again. Yes, there are too few flights between TLV and Amman. I already have my hotels in TLV so that is set.
Eilat, however, would be fun to go play and it sounds much safer than most of Isreal.

No buses, no nightclubs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif, no big, open shopping markets. sad

Arkia

Israir

Flew with Israir to Ovda over the weekend and I agree with the posters above - it is not with the hassle. While you can show up in SDV about 25 minutes prior tothe flight and still get on the flight, it takes an hour to fly, 15 minutes to unload the plane to a bus, 45 minutes drive to Eilat and another 10 minutes to unload the bus.
Egged (bus 394 from the central bus station) does it in 4 hours and cost 65 Shekels.

[This message has been edited by apirchik (edited Jan 25, 2004).]

Not sure if I have thanked you for this but, thank you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

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YAS+

You may on a very few certain days be able to go to Amman in the morning and return in the evening. But you would have to fly Royal Wings one way and Arkia the other.

Arkia do not publish the schedule officially. You must contact them directly.

However as the other poster stated not too much to see in Amman. Some roman ruins; interesting day tours to Jerash and the Dead Sea.