A review of holiday flight prices shows that even popular European destinations are no longer cheap for Israeli families. For a family of four flying to Rome during Sukkot, tickets alone can cost up to $4,736 on Arkia, while Wizz Air is close to $4,000. A family trip to Budapest can reach about $3,800 on Arkia, with other airlines also charging thousands of dollars.
Cyprus, usually one of the closest and most affordable options for Israelis, has also become expensive. For Rosh Hashanah, a family of four flying to Larnaca would pay from about $1,996 on El Al to $6,220 on Wizz Air, depending on the airline and ticket conditions. Family flights to Corfu, another favorite among Israelis, range from about $2,200 to $2,900 for airfare alone.
Long-haul destinations are even more expensive. A family trip to New York for Rosh Hashanah can cost $12,392 on Arkia, while El Al charges about $8,140. To Thailand, a family of four would pay about $12,000 on El Al and $11,200 on Arkia for Sukkot. These figures do not include hotels, car rentals, attractions, restaurants, or entertainment.
The pricing reflects strong demand and the way airlines are pricing in the holiday calendar, according to the report. Industry sources said this year the Jewish holidays fall in September, creating a convenient stretch of weekends and vacation days that can be turned into long trips without using many workdays. Pleasant weather in destinations such as Greece and Cyprus is also boosting demand. The report also found that package vacations, including flights, hotels, and transfers, are often cheaper than booking flights separately, with examples in Corfu, Kos, Crete, and Rhodes.
The article listed sample prices for families of four on specific dates, including Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot, across Larnaca, Corfu, Rome, Budapest, Thailand, and New York.
