EL AL From LA The Israeli flag carrier is launching the only non-stop service from LA to Tel Aviv on July 23. Flights will operate three times a week, year round, on Boeing777 aircraft featuring personal TV screens, wireless Internet, and live TV in all three classes of service.Introductory promotional fares, good for departures from July 23 to Aug. 31, are geared toward two people on the same itinerary: $3,418, per person in business Class and $4,435 per person in First Class.EL AL Mat mid Frequent flyers earn a 50% bonus in Platinum Business Class on non-stop flights before Aug. 31. Flight LY006 departs LA every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 12:20 p.m. and arrives inTel Aviv at 12:50 p.m. the next day. Flight LY005departs Tel Aviv every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 1:15 a.m. and arrives in Los Angele's the same day at 6:45 a.m. Details: (800) 223-6700 or ELAL.com. Continental is offering non-stop service from New York at $2,200; connecting service from LAX at $3,282.

US Airways Miles Rising US Airways’ “purchase miles” program has never been cheap, charging 3¢ a mile versus 2.5¢ to 2.8¢ for most other programs. Now the airline has raised the price to 3.5¢, with a 15,000-mile annual limit, and $25 processing fee. On international routes it’s still not a bad deal, as $375 in purchased miles can yield a one-way upgrade that could cost ten times as much if purchased outright.

Another Route to Brazil Japan Airlines routes its Tokyo-Sao Paulo flight through New York/JFK. That’s another way (JFK-Sao Paulo non-stop) to get to Brazil’s commercial capital, or a launch pad to other popular points deep in South America. While Business Class fares ($4,800) aren’t cheap, you can transfer 50,000 Starwood Starpoints (which net the needed 40,000 JAL miles) to upgrade fares that start at only $778. A really good deal. The best part: we checked a number of dates over the next couple months and found that upgrade availability is great!

Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy Focus The carrier is adding eight Pacific Premium Economy seats to B747 aircraft, with the work slated to be finished by mid-October. This is a result of strong demand—up to 95% of seats sold out during peak travel periods. Premium Economy stats: 39-40 inches of legroom (reg. economy 34), 18.5-inch seat width, 9-inch seat recline. Premium Economy travelers share Business Class facilities and receive the same premium beverage service.

Northwest’s Fast Lane In early July the carrier started setting up special boarding lanes at departure gates exclusively for WorldPerks members and SkyTeam Alliance members who have achieved Elite status, and customers flying First Class or World Business. The service is designed to allow premium passengers to avoid long lines at boarding. The first lanes have been put in at Detroit, Bismarck and Fargo, ND, Phoenix, and Portland, OR. The lanes will be introduced at all Northwest gates equipped with loading bridges at US airports within the next two months.

Qantas’ North American Hop Until Aug. 13 and again from Dec. 1 though Jan. 31, 2007, the Australian flag carrier is flying between San Francisco and Vancouver, Canada, using three-class Boeing 747-400s. Flights operate Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Business Class fares start at $450 one-way per person. First Class skyrockets to $1,887 each way. QF73 departs San Francisco at 12:15 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. QF74 departs Vancouver at 6:20 p.m. arriving in San Francisco at 8:40 p.m. Reservations: (800) 227-4691