Who is more profitable to fly with this summer - Israir or Arkia?

The great holiday has arrived, and despite the situation we are seeing how the people of Israel are returning to Israel. Only last week we announced a new record breaking in the number of passengers since the beginning of the war. And it is true, although the numbers are smaller than in previous years, many airlines are not in a hurry to return to Israel and the list of destinations has also been reduced - But in spite of everything in Ben Gurion you are currently seeing queues that have not been seen for many months.

If there are any "profits" from the difficult situation that has been imposed on us in recent months, they are the Israeli airlines to which a large share of the market has moved in light of the instability of the foreign airlines in operating flights to Israel. Along with the dizzying success of El Al and the high occupancy of its planes, we wanted to check what the two companies have The smaller Israeli airlines have to offer to the Israeli public. Therefore, we asked the experts of secret flights to make a comparison between Arkia flights and Israir flights to the same destinations.

If we talk about market share in the first half of 2024, Arkia holds a share of 5.76%, compared to Israir which holds 8.01%. While Arkie flies to 27 destinations with a fleet of 6 planes (+2 leased), Israir flies to 30 destinations and has a fleet of 7 planes (+3 leased). Also, comparing baggage policies, the basic ticket only includes a small bag. The cost of a trolley is $10 and the cost of a suitcase is $40. Bisherair also the basic ticket includes only a small bag, with the cost of the trolley being more expensive and standing at $18 and the cost of a suitcase - $45.

How much will you pay for a flight in the summer?

In the test we conducted, a flight to Larnaca on July 25-29 will cost $292 with Arkia, a flight with Israir on the same dates will cost $211. The two companies leave more or less at the same times, with the walking departure at 17:10. The return flight with Arkie leaves at 15:10, compared to Israir which leaves earlier at 12:40.

A flight to Athens on August 4-9 will cost $400 with overhead. A flight with Israir on the same dates will cost $340. Here there are significant differences between the flight times, when the departure with Arkia is at 12:30, compared to the Israir flight which only leaves at 21:30. The return flight with Arkia departs at 11:10, while Israir departs later at 00:45.

A flight to Crete on September 2-9 will cost $419 with sky. A flight with Israir on the same dates will cost $358. An Arkia flight leaves in the morning at 07:20, on the other hand, the Israir flight leaves only at 13:20.

The return flight with Arkia leaves at 10:30, while Israir leaves later at 16:30.

A flight to Prague on August 13-18 will cost $606 with overhead. A flight with Israir on the same dates will cost $574. An Arkia flight leaves the country at 15:00, while the Israir flight leaves early in the morning at 05:35.

On the return flight, the Israir flight departs from Prague at 18:15, with the Israir flight departing at 23:45. 

Yaniv Lenis, founder of secret flights: "2024 is a shaky year for the Israeli tourism industry, and besides the difficult feelings - it seems that Israeli airlines have become the most stable alternative in the reality of uncertainty, and therefore many Israelis choose to pay more but fly with an Israeli company - but in our opinion it is important not Be a sucker and always compare the different alternatives and sometimes it is very profitable to take a risk and buy from foreign companies as well.