| A few weeks ago the Israeli court has made its final | | | | It all started from the easy-going atmosphere on the |
| rule in the case of El-Al versus Israir and has | | | | airplane - like some North American airlines Israir |
| determined that the "Open skies" policy of the | | | | crews try and "lighten" the flight burden with comic |
| ministry of transportation is valid, thus opening the | | | | relieves which in my opinion result in a disrespectful |
| Israeli skies for carrier competition on the Tel Aviv | | | | manner. Jokes like "This flight is a non-smoking flight, |
| (TLV) New-York line which has so far been exclusive | | | | smokers may go directly to the airplane wings where |
| for El-Al flights. | | | | the fuel tanks are for a quick and efficient blow", or |
| Just after the court verdict, Sabina Biran - Israir C.E.O | | | | "If you're not enjoying this flight you may use one of |
| spoke about this change on several interviews and | | | | the 8 emergency exits on this airplane" have great |
| promised that the new opportunities for Israir will | | | | contribution to the disrespectful atmosphere. |
| result in lower prices and better service for all | | | | Another weak point for Israir was the food - all food |
| passengers. | | | | was Glatt Kosher, which does not necessarily mean |
| In the following weeks, Israir did introduce lower | | | | bad food, but on Israir case meant extremely bad |
| priced tickets for as low as 550$ for a ticket from | | | | food. I don't expect flights to be a culinary |
| Tel-Aviv to New York which used to cost 590$ at its | | | | experience, but this was non edible food at the least. |
| lowest price points. Like many other Israelis, I | | | | The third and most annoying thing was the number |
| decided to grab the opportunity and try out the | | | | of seats the airplane has - for years Israeli travelers |
| newly launched flight, and following are my | | | | have complained that El-Al crowds the airplanes to |
| impressions of that flight. | | | | the extreme, and well, on this Israir flight all I could |
| In general I would like to note that I personally have | | | | wish for is El-Al's relative comfortable seating. |
| flown to NY about 35 times already, and have grown | | | | In conclusion, I do wish that the open skies policy will |
| accustomed to this difficult 12 hour flight. However, | | | | result in greater competition and better service as |
| the Israir flight has not been a good experience for | | | | Israir CEO promised, but to say the least - I did not |
| me, and was in fact the most difficult TLV-NY flight I | | | | see that happening. |
| have experienced. | | | | |