What initiatives do you have in place to educate British travel agents on the benefits of booking with El Al airlines?

We have numerous activities in place to raise awareness about the benefits of booking and working with EL AL. We are very active in the field, doing weekly sales calls and frequent onsite product trainings. About 2 years ago, we started offering special trade fare for travel staff to experience flying with EL AL and to see Israel. We also set up an Online Travel Training (OTT) course, http://www.elalacademy.com; where travel agents, especially homeworkers, can learn about EL Al’s relevant product information, updates, news and trade incentives. Last year, we were the Airline partner for the Institute of Travel and Tourism Annual conference held in Tel Aviv, in which many of the attendees were able to fly with us. This has given us the chance to showcase our products and services to the UK trade. EL AL is committed in participating in relevant networking events, airline showcases and important trade exhibitions. This February, we will be exhibiting for the first time at the Business Travel Show to reach out to the corporate market. Since last year, we also advertise for the first time on various new media channels and platforms such as London Buses, London Underground, English Football League matches and in travel magazines and newspapers.

Do you have any promotional fares planned for 2017?

 We are currently offering a promotional fare of £299 all-inclusive in economy class and from £963 for business class in the premium cabin. We also currently offer double frequent flyer points if they purchase business or first class tickets. We continuously offer special group rates, Business class companion and travel trade fares. The great thing about EL AL, the Flag carrier of Israel, we are small enough to care but big enough to deliver the service and products. We are very proud of the close connections and relationship with the trade, and the majority of our sales are being done through travel agents. We have our own local call centre and dedicated team that offer support and assistance to travel agents that sell EL AL.

What response have you had from passengers on the new aircraft? 

Since the announcement of  EL AL’s largest aircraft acquisition program in its history and now that we will start to operate this summer, with the 787 Dreamliners added to our fleet, our passengers are pleased with the fact that EL AL is investing for their flight experience offering maximum comfort and technological innovation.

Are you introducing/have you introduced any new in flight products or services?

We are continuously looking at how to improve onboard experience for our passengers. We recently introduced onboard entertainment App called Dream Stream with streaming technology on all our 767 and 737 that enables our passengers to view a choice of entertainment programs during the flight with maximal convenience direct to their own personal device. Last month, we added a new meal in the Business cabin called Salad Meal.

What are the benefits of booking business/first class with El Al?

Our Business and First class ticket includes 2 x 32 kgs baggage allowance. Access to our well known King David lounge, with a private area for First class passengers. We provide our revenue premium passengers complimentary transfer from home to airport and vice versa in the UK and in Israel. Onboard our premium cabins, a business and first class crew, will attend to their needs all through their journey. A pampering sleep experience in the ergonometric seats that open into a full length bed (almost 2 meters long) for maximum comfort and we use an orthopedic mattress that was especially planned for EL AL’s First Class passengers. Our passengers can enjoy an all Kosher meal onboard EL AL in all cabins and our premium passengers have a great and rich selections of choices. Our renowned Chefs prepare Israeli and international menus, using the finest ingredients selected especially for our premium passengers, who can also indulge themselves in our Cellars in the Sky 2016 award-winning wine list!