Alternative European airlines

Let us know the specific airlines you're using and we can let you know.

The airlines serving Rome to Tel Aviv are Israir Airlines, Vueling Airlines, El Al and Alitalia.
Israir is a small Israeli 5 airplane airline. I'm unfamiliar with them.
Vueling is a large Spanish budget airline, and they appear to be a good operation.
El Al is the largest Israeli airline and a very good, secure airline.

Alitalia is the airline of Italy many travelers are not too thrilled with.

Vueling, Ryanair, Aegean

I've flown with all of the three airlines that you mentioned, and would absolutely recommend Aegean. They're a real class act and just won an award for best regional airline or something. I've had good service with Vueling and would fly with them again. I won't fly with Ryanar unless I absolutely have no other choice.

This was a recent posting that may be helpful. Skytrax records what a lot of people think (many more than on this forum). Personally, I really like the service and pricing on Turkish Air.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/skytrax-world-airline-awards

Skytrax rates only 22 airlines worldwide at 2-star or less, and Ryanair is one of them. Most of the other 1- and 2-star airlines are from non-first-world countries.

Looks like you might only fly Comiso to Rome. That's OK, but avoid two continuous flights because RyanAir considers them to independent flights, period. If they get you to the intermediate stop, at any time, they consider that fulfilling their obligation, even if it is too late to catch the next Ryan flights. If you miss your next Ryan flight, too bad. You lose the ticket. They won't put you on their next flight after the one you missed.

We have used both Ryanair and Vueling multplie times, had no issue with either. Read the luggage rules and check in rules . Both websites are clear , most complaints seem to come from travellers who didnt read the wecpsites. Always prepay for checked luggae , its much more expensive at airport. And yes, they are generally strict to their guidleines, so dont expect your bag to be ok if its an inch bigger or a kilo heavier than guidelines.

We just used aegeon air this past spring, flight from mykonos to athens, then athens to barcelona. Both flights left late. Otherwise ok.

We have used several other iner europeon airlines , Easyjet, Tuifly, Aer Lingus( our favorite) and Berliner Air. No major issues with any of them. Arrive at airport early.

I wouldn't call them "alternative". Vueling is owned by IAG, the group that also owns British Airways and Iberia. Aegean is the Greek Star Alliance partner. Both fly A320-family fleets - just like JetBlue. What airlines is your long-haul with? The reason I'm asking. Aegean's Miles & Bonus frequent flyer program is one of the best within Star Alliance. If your long-haul is on Star Alliance make sure you collect Aegean Miles & Bonus points for those as well as for the Aegean ones of course.