Review of Arkia Israel Airlines flight from Eilat to Tel Aviv in Economy

During my holidays in Israel, I wanted to try Eilat newest airport :Ilan et Asaf Ramon (replacing the former airports of Ovda and Eilat city)
Due to no direct flights from ETM to France during my holidays and due to the closure of Tel-Aviv Sde Dov airport (SDV), my choices were reduced to a direct flight to TLV and then to take a plane back home.
Morover, only two airlines are sharing the monopoly on this line : 
     Israir : deployed fleet mostly composed of ATR 72
     Arkia : price from approximately 20€, possibility to take A321 neo or B757-300
As I wanted to take the last B757-300 of IZ before it leaves the fleet, my choice is quickly done.

I am going to ETM thanks to the Bus line 30 from Eilat central station 
The price is very cheap. A ticket to the airport only cost 4.50 ₪ (approximately 1.20€).
 The duration of the journey is 10 minutes.     

By entering the airport, we oversee and old aircraft of Arkia, which former location was Eilat city.

Then, we arrive in front of the new airport (only open since last March)

The FIDS

Being too early, I wainting for the opening of the desks by taking my dinner (approximately 12€ for the all)

After passing the checks, I am watching on flightradar information concerning my flight.
A delay of 20min is announced. 

The last daily flight of Israir arrives. An ATR 72-500 (Sorry for the bad quality of the pictures) 

Then, my B757-300 arrives

Boarding by the tarmac

We are really on board the last B757-300 of IZ

The doar for the fans.

My seat, the 41 F

A very nice pitch for a 40 minutes flight. The was really comfortable but looked like it came from the former airplane generation.

Non common safety belt

The plane is really old (as the central IFE shows)

Safety card and magazine of Arkia

The safety card doesn't show the B757 from IZ in its real livery.
It underlines the "colorful world of Arkia" 

The fleet of Arkia with the B757 in its real livery.
Arkia has A white B767 from Neos (whereas they had a blue one last year also coming from Neos) 

Arkia Destinations map

The magazine is also making an ad for Arkia newest A321 neo LR (Arkia was the first carrier of A321 neo LR)

Our neighboor with our wonderful winglet

It would have left ETM 5 minutes before us

The safety video is presented on an encestral IFE

Just after the take-off, a free catering service began.
A glass of water and biscuits are proposed to each passenger.
Not bad for such a huge airplane on a so short flight. 

After 30 minutes flying, we started our descent to TLV

Landing and a long way to join our parking spot.

On quitte notre avion.
Puis, PAX bus pour rejoindre le Terminal 1 
We leave our plane.
Then, PAX bus to join the Terminal 1 

A premium service I didn't know

Then, Itook a bus to join the Terminal 3 to go back to France .
We crosse an old B767, that left the fleet of El Al. 

I spent the night in the Terminal 3, allowing me to see more of the fleet of Arkia.

I would get an B737-800 LY with a new livery.
I haven't predicted to report this flight, as I did it already twice.
However, I didn't know El Al refurbished some of their B737-800.
So, I only took two pictures of the cabin (eco and business class seats) 

Thanks for reading this report
See you soon
Papa Sierra Golf 91