Thomsonfly is to launch thrice-weekly services to Tel Aviv from both Luton and Manchester airports starting I November. With a flight time of nearly five hours, these will be some of the longest sectors operated by a European budget carrier. The flights will be operated by either Boeing 737-800 (189 seats) or Boeing 757-200 (between 223-235 seats) depending on the particular service.
Meals on board are designed by the renowned chef Aldo Zilli and are priced from ”6. Kosher meals can be pre-booked and these are ”15. Thomsonfly has a premium check-in facility at Manchester Airport and also offers a chargeable seat selection service including bulkhead and emergency exit positions.
”Our decision to launch into Tel Aviv will satisfy the huge demand for direct flights to this exciting Israeli city," said Thomsonfly commercial director, Guy Stephenson. The Israeli economy is strong and visitor numbers from the UK are up this year, which is a positive backdrop to the launch of new services. With around two million visitors to our websites each week, both Thomson and Thomsonfly have a unique ability to stimulate tourism from the UK to Israel, and we anticipate tremendous diversity in the reasons for both outbound and inbound travel.
"Tel Aviv has a growing reputation as a stylish and lively choice for city breaks, but also as an important destination for cultural exchanges between schools and religious groups, religious and history-based leisure breaks, visiting friends and relatives and as a place for doing business.”
Israel Tourist Board director, Uzi Gafni, added: ”The new Luton and Manchester routes into Tel Aviv give British travellers even greater access to what is arguably one of the most vivacious and cosmopolitan cities in the world. We have seen a 3% increase in UK visitors in the first quarter of this year over last year and we are delighted that Thomsonfly”s arrival into Tel Aviv will help cater for this demand.”