British Airways extends Tel Aviv cancellations, allows EL AL rebooking

British Airways has, not unexpectedly, announced that announced that flights to Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 25th October. This is the last day of the summer timetable.

It is the latest in a series of pauses, with the existing suspension due to end on 31st July.

From 26th October onwards, the morning outbound flight has been cancelled. Only the evening outbound flight (with the enticing 3.20am arrival time in Tel Aviv) is bookable.

Virgin Atlantic has permanently cancelled its Tel Aviv route so this is not available as a rebooking option.

British Airways has, however, agreed a comprehensive deal with EL AL.

If you have a BA ticket to Tel Aviv for travel up to 25th October, or you are on a cancelled morning flight from 26th October, you can ask to switch to an EL AL service from Heathrow. This includes redemption tickets.

If this is not convenient or there is no availability on your chosen date, there is an alternative. You can be rebooked on British Airways to various cities in Europe and then switch to a connecting EL AL flight.

Options include Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Larnaca, Madrid, Milan and Paris.

The trade guidelines also imply that Lufthansa Group airlines are available as an option but that agents should push you to accept EL AL in the first instance.

You can, of course, also request a full refund if your British Airways flight has been cancelled.

Further details can be found on the BA trade website here.