TechAir takes flight: High-tech industry's airline announces NYC Flights
TechAir takes flight: High-tech industry's airline announces NYC Flights
Flights to JFK begin January with round-trip ticket prices set at $1,350 for economy class.
Israeli high-tech’s airline, TechAir, announced on Monday that it has uploaded an initial registration form for all flight routes scheduled for January through March. The High-Tech Forum has signed an agreement in principle with a European company for a wet lease—a lease that includes the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and other services—of a Boeing 777.
TechAir plans to operate three weekly flights from January to mid-March. The flights will depart Israel at midnight, arriving at JFK Airport in New York, and return to Israel the following morning.
Several companies have already committed in principle to purchasing dozens of tickets weekly for their employees. Round-trip ticket prices are set at $1,350 for economy class, $2,600 for premium economy, and $5,400 for business class. For comparison, the starting price of a round-trip ticket to New York on El Al in January is approximately $1,200. If ticket sales generate a profit, the surplus will be distributed among those who committed to advance purchases.
TechAir is currently seeking an exemption from the Tibi Law, which presents a significant challenge to its operations. The law mandates compensation of NIS 3,000 for passengers if there is a substantial delay in flights over eight hours on the New York route. Despite TechAir operating only a single plane, the government has yet to approve a temporary exemption for the airline.
