AIBU to book flights to Tel Aviv for a September wedding?

[Depahf]

To book flights for Israel for September?

My closest friend is getting married in Tel AViv to her Israeli husband (they both live out there permanently now). I’m so desperate to go to the wedding. Do we think flights will be back on again?

(If you’re going to have a go at me for going because of the Gaza war, don’t waste your energy, I won’t be dissuaded on those grounds).

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of the whole thing, flying into a war zone is crazy IMO. there are missiles landing in Israel. Is your friends wedding worth your life?

I wouldn't. Not yet anyway. Who knows what's going to happen over the next week, never mind months ahead.

I assume if Iran are still sending ballistic missiles then flights will be cancelled anyway, taking the decision out of my hands. For the usual Houthi and Hamas missiles, the iron dome is pretty good at shooting them down.

its really a question of whether we think it’s more likely than not than Iran will have stopped firing by then.

Everything could be over by then or war could still be raging. Absolutely nobody from world leaders down to lowly Mumsnetters have a clue.

I would not.

If you book elal they often have refundable options during wartime.

I would think flights might be cancelled, presumably you’d get a refund (not sure what happens with the tax). I wouldn’t book a non-cancellable hotel and I wouldn’t expect a travel insurance pay out.

First of all you need to look at the www.gov.uk website for travel information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

If it states that travel is inadvisable, you will find that you will be unable to get any kind of travel insurance (so if you went and had say, appendicitis, you will have to pay for medical bills from your own funds). Don’t even think about repatriation….

It's a long time between now and September. I'd wait and see

I would think flights will be back on by then. Hopefully the Iran war can't last that long?! I would book. If they're cancelled you'll be refunded.

I am cautious about booking any flights at the moment. Such a difficult question to answer.

Flights will probably be fine.

If you're happy to spend your time and money in a country committing genocide and warmongering on the side, then we can only hope you get every delay and cancellation possible.

I would want to go too. I would maybe purchase annual travel insurance soonish and then book a refundable hotel as well as non El Al flights. The reason I say that is I was due to fly there a few days after October 7th, one way was El Al and the other was another airline. Both cancelled flights but El Al would only give a flight voucher and the other airline gave a full refund. You’ll only get money back if the airlines cancel the flights themselves though. Insurance won’t pay anything if the war is still happening, the flights are running but you change your mind. Maybe hold out a little longer before deciding.

Either wait, or book but be prepared to see the back of that money.

Not whilst everyone's favourite despots, Bibi and Trump, are still in full tonto mode.

I don’t think it would be wise to book just now.

wait and see and decide closer to the time

Don’t book anything yet. Hopefully it will be over by September but I would wait until closer the time.

If I was determined to go I'd try a flight to Larnaca Cyprus and a connecting flight from there to Tel Aviv. Gives more options if stuck.

Might be safer than going direct. Just a thought.

thanks all! If I can get flights refunded then that would be great. Hotels aren’t likely to refund me are they? But then again it would mean so much to me there for my friend on her day.

Why can’t you just wait and see and book closer to the time?

Hold off till a bit closer. Of course you want to go. It’s a great city, fabulous food and a brilliant night life.

We are in a similar situation but sadly won't be going. Between constant terrorist attacks and missiles from Iran and Lebanon, I just can't take the risk. So personally, I wouldn't book!

Take into account that you probably won’t be able to get travel insurance. Can you handle covering the costs of a medical emergency including repatriation without insurance?

I would book closer to the time. Plan everything, including accommodation (with a couple of back ups) so that you are all set to book. And keep an eye on the travel advice.

How close to the event can you wait before booking?

Theres little point relying on the foreign office because I have found over the years they only issue warnings which would result in you getting a refund, at the most severe circumstances.

But you might feel it isnt safe and not want to go, or cant go and you wont get refunded.

I wouldn't. Think about how unstable things are there. It's a fucking shit show.

Constant conflict over the past two years.