The first flight of Virgin Atlantic Airlines landed in Israel on Wednesday, and on Thursday, September 26, 2019, it took off from Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv for London. The new line is expected to increase the competition for one of the most popular locations for Israelis.

Virgin Atlantic Airlines first flight from London landed in Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport with 300 passengers from the British capital on Wednesday, at 8:35PM. The plane departed Ben-Gurion on Thursday morning at 7:15AM.

The entry of the new airline is expected to increase competition on one of the most popular routes for Israelis, Tel Aviv to London, and from the beginning of this year, 720,000 Israeli traveled this line. The Virgin flight left Israel on Thursday morning and it touched down in Heathrow Airport during the early afternoon hours. This permits Israelis who are traveling from Israel a wide selection of flights to 30 destinations in N. Africa, Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

Virgin Atlantic states that prices from Tel Aviv to London will start at $399 in ‘tourist’ class, $799 in the ‘premium class’, and $1,379 in ‘upper class’. In addition, flights from Tel Aviv to New York via Heathrow will begin at $620 for tourist class. The flight will be an Airbus A330-300 with the long-haul configuration and will include full service with suitcase, meal and entertainment.

Compared to last year, the price of El Al and British Airways flights to London have fallen 16%. With the entry of Virgin Airlines, the price has dropped even more, starting at $440 on two veteran companies. The lowest price flight can be found today with the low cost WizzAir and Easy Jet, beginning at $200.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)