Israel’s Arkia to launch business class on flights to Europe

Israel’s Arkia plans to capitalize on robust demand for premium travel and will launch a new business class cabin on routes to Europe, starting in the spring with flights to Paris, to compete with local rival El Al and foreign carriers.

“The decision was made against the backdrop of high demand for premium products,” says Arkia CEO Oz Berlowitz at a press conference in Tel Aviv. “We are constantly thinking in depth about how to improve, reach new destinations, and offer the Israeli public a competitive and diverse product that combines quality service, fair prices, and an advanced flight experience.”

The new premium cabin will begin operating on the route to Paris from April on Arkia’s Airbus A320 aircraft with 12 business-class seats at the front of the aircraft. One-way business-class tickets will start selling for $850. For comparison, El Al one-way tickets to Paris in premium class in April start selling at around $905, and with Air France at around $1,068.

Arkia will operate flights to 40 destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Asia, and North America during the upcoming spring and summer season. The carrier says it will continue its expansion of long-haul flight operations, including transatlantic routes to New York, and add routes to selected destinations in Asia, including Phuket in Thailand. Earlier this year, Arkia launched its Tel Aviv-to-Hanoi flight service, becoming the first Israeli carrier to operate a direct route to Vietnam.

Starting in mid-June, Arkia is renewing its service to Ibiza in Spain, with two weekly flights tailored for short vacations and weekend getaways, and for longer holidays.