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El Al has announced the launch of a new cabin class called Economy Basic.  To start with the service will operate as a pilot scheme on its flights.  El Al: “For now this service is only available through a link called “El Al Spontaneous” found on travel agents internet sites.”

El Al announced that they will offer a new economy class service providing cheaper air tickets, but this will exclude all of the basic services.  Passengers will have the option of purchasing additional services, some available before flying others during the flight.

El Al has already advertised this new class on a number of its flights to Rome at a price of $199 per person.  The process, according to El Al, will be improved in the near future with additional services available for an additional payment.

El Al provided details of the services which will require payment:  During check in at Ben Gurion Airport – $5 for choice of seat in this section of the cabin only, $5 for checking in a suitcase of up to 23 kilograms, $10 for a hot meal, $6 for a sandwich, $5 for a headset.

According to the announcement from the company, the costs shown on the site are per person and for a single leg of a flight.  Upon completing the reservation, a company representative will contact the passenger within 24 hours and will offer other services for an additional payment.  El Al also indicated that each request to their customer service center for the purchase of an additional product or service will be charged at an additional $5.

The report that the Israeli national carrier intends to compete with the low cost carriers has resulted in negative response from its competitors and even from the travel agents. “There is no such thing from any airline in the world,” replied the general manager of one of the foreign airlines.  “This is a step that shows panic and is not fitting for an airline of the size and status of El Al.”