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Liora Avrahami |
As a regional manager covering California and the Southwest, would you consider this area to be a big market for El Al?The potential is huge. Each state has its own clientele, their niche or market. The Los Angeles area is characterized by mostly Israeli families going back and forth to Israel. We have the Silicon Valley and San Francisco, and the high-tech companies that are based here, but then [have their employees] fly back and forth to Israel. In that case, it’s not just a price challenge but a convenience challenge. We have the Christian market and all sorts of organizations that are very dedicated and fly a lot. The market is there, and it’s my job to make sure people choose El Al.
How is El Al promoting value and savings this season for travelers?
My main message to the readers is that we do have a good product out of Los Angeles. I tell people who come to me with a lower price that you really need to compare apples to apples. We offer a nonstop flight, and there’s a premium you have to pay for a nonstop flight. The flight doesn’t go via New York or Europe, where you have to make a stop, recheck your suitcases, check in, check out ... I think that we have a better value.
How has El Al invested in the in-flight entertainment system and other amenities on its planes?
We have new Boeing 777 aircrafts with state-of-the-art technology and with touch-screen entertainment systems. In business class, we have 170-degree reclining chairs, which become almost a bed and, in first class, we have 180-degree reclining chairs that actually do turn into a bed.
Do you find that, because fares are so much lower this year, more people are deciding that they might as well go first class?
Yes; the seats that are sold out first for the Los Angeles-Tel Aviv route are usually in the premium section. People know that it’s worth it: Flying for 14 hours in first class is the best experience you can have.
El Al Israel Airlines, Los Angeles Office
323-852-1252
www.elal.com
