Tickets are now on sale for Israeli carrier El Al’s new direct trial flights between Tel Aviv and Melbourne in April and May next year onboard a 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Flights will depart Tel Aviv for Melbourne on April 2, April 23 and May 14 while the return flights from Tel Aviv to Melbourne will depart on April 4, April 25 and May 16.
The three-class Dreamliner will offer Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class seats.
Return Economy Class return fares will lead in at $1766, return Premium Economy tickets will start at $3997 return Business Class fares will start at $7809.
Flight duration on the Melbourne-bound flight is expected to be 16 hours and 15 minutes, while the return flight, from Melbourne to Ben Gurion Airport, is expected to take 17 hours and 45 minutes.
It marks the longest flight, without stopovers, in the history of Israel’s aviation industry.
These trial flights will be used “to explore the feasibility of launching regular flights to Melbourne”.
El Al’s vice president commercial and industry affairs, Michael Strassburger said he expects as the route “substantially shorten the trip to Australia” it will “deepen the touristic, business and political ties between the two countries beyond recognition”.
“Operating this route will be subject to the approval of governmental parties, including civil aviation authorities; the airline will decide on regular operations in the coming months. While examining commercial feasibility,” he concluded.
The nonstop flights can be combined with connection flights to EL AL flights to Bangkok and/or Hong Kong (subject to changes in the fare) as well as to various destinations in Australia and New Zealand.