Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW Air today officially began accepting reservations for flights from Israel on its website, which includes a Hebrew-language interface. What are the prices, and what extra charges should be taken into account? WOW is offering flights from Tel Aviv via Reykjavik to destinations throughout the US and Canada.
The promise of a flight to the US for $149 in each direction applies to certain dates, for example an outgoing flight on September 18. If you want to add a suitcase, which the airline calls "WOW Plus," including protection for cancelations, the price jumps to $255 for an outgoing flight. Just adding a suitcase of up to 20 kilograms costs $70.
Another extra charge that should be taken into account is $10 in each direction for choosing your seat ($40-50 for reserving a seat with extra leg room), raising the price to $230 in each direction without cancelation.
We found no return flights in the same price range. The cheapest for a stay of one or two weeks, for example, was $410 for a return flight, or $516 for adding a suitcase and upgrading the ticket with protection against cancelations. Return flights from New York in late October or November, for example, start at $310 without a suitcase.
There are flights to Los Angeles via Reykjavik for $199 (on September 13, for example). The cheapest return flight we found here starts at $325. Both of these prices are without luggage. Adding a suitcase in each direction costs $70. The total cost, including a choice of seat, is $685.
A direct flight to Reykjavik costs $99, for example on September 14, while the return flight will cost $160. Adding a suitcase of up to 20 kilograms costs $50 in each direction, making the total cost for such a trip $380 (including a choice of seat).
Like the low-cost airlines already operating in Israel, the cheap price is a function of total flexibility in the flight date and the duration of the stay. If you can make do with hand luggage, you will not have to pay for a suitcase - something that is suitable for only a few of us.
Otherwise, you will also have to take this extra charge into account: a trolley suitcase is not included in the basic price; it costs $40-50 more. A suitcase of up to 20 kilograms costs $50 for those making reservations through the website, and a choice of seat costs $10 in each direction.
Other extra charges include $25 in each direction for cancelation (in case of illness or accident, for example, subject to presentation of appropriate documentation) and transportation to the airport at prices starting at $24. In comparing prices to those of other airlines, the final price should be calculated, including all the extra charges you learn about when you are making the reservation.
It goes without saying that fares do not include meals and food and drink sold on board is over-priced.
Published by Globes [online], Israel Business News - www.globes-online.com - on May 16, 2017
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