Based out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), EL AL connects Israel to the world, with routes across Europe, the U.S., and Africa. Fun fact: The name EL AL means “to the skies” or “to the above” in Hebrew, which is a fitting name for an airline.
Israel’s flag carrier stands apart from other airlines with its strict adherence to Jewish tradition. All food is kosher, and the airline doesn’t fly during Shabbat or Jewish holidays. If you’re unfamiliar with these traditions, you might experience some culture shock. Here’s what you need to know.
Fare classes on EL AL
EL AL offers three classes: economy, premium and business. Economy includes three fare types (Lite, Classic, and Flex) that determine your seat selection options. Premium is available on Dreamliner aircraft, making it a solid middle-ground option for longer flights.
Economy class
EL AL’s economy class is comparable to most European airlines and includes three fare types: Lite, Classic, and Flex. These determine how many bags you can bring and check, with Lite being the most restrictive and Flex offering the most flexibility.
Economy food is relatively basic but highlights Israeli cuisine and flavors. All meals and drinks are kosher, though you can request vegan (VGML) or vegetarian (VLML) options. You’re allowed to bring your own food, but I recommend being considerate of Jewish tradition when packing snacks.
Premium class
Premium class sits in a smaller cabin between economy and business on EL AL’s Dreamliner and upgraded 777 aircraft. The seats offer more space and extended recline compared to economy, plus a footrest and slightly larger seatback screens. The fare includes additional checked luggage.
The food is higher end than economy, with two meals on flights over seven hours plus wine and other alcoholic drinks. The dining isn’t a strong reason to upgrade, but the smaller cabin and more spacious seats can make a real difference on overnight flights.
Business class
If you’re looking to fly in style, business class is the way to go, especially on the Dreamliner and updated 777s. These feature private, lie-flat seats that give you plenty of space to stretch out and sleep. You’ll also get a TUMI amenity kit with Rituals Cosmetics products. On the older 777 and 737 planes, the seats are more like traditional recliners.
Business class includes express check-in, a larger checked luggage allowance, and lounge access at both Ben Gurion and international airports. The meals mirror premium class offerings, with wine and alcoholic drinks included. If you’re booked in economy, you can try your luck with EL AL’s upgrade bid system. You place a bid up to 24 hours before your flight, and if you’re lucky, you could snag a premium or business seat for a fraction of the price.
Baggage allowance
Luggage allowance on EL AL can be slightly confusing because it depends on both your class and fare type. In economy, baggage entitlements vary by route, for example, on Far East and South Africa routes, only Classic and Flex fares include a checked bag. Lite passengers need to pre-order luggage allowance separately, with fees varying by destination.
Premium class passengers get two checked bags up to 23 kg / around 50 lbs each, while business class passengers can check two bags up to 32 kg / 70 lbs each. For carry-ons, Lite and Classic economy passengers get one 8 kg / 17 lb bag. Flex, Premium, and Business passengers can bring two bags. Everyone gets one personal item like a backpack or purse. My advice? Read your booking confirmation carefully to avoid any surprise fees at the airport.
Seat selection and check-in
Check-in opens 24 hours before departure, and you can do it online or at the airport. Seat selection is another area where your fare type matters. If you booked a Classic or Flex ticket, you can choose a standard seat for free. Flex passengers can even snag a “Front Zone” or “Extra Space Seat” at no charge.
Here’s an insider tip: On longer flights, it’s common for groups of Orthodox Jewish men to gather for prayer, usually in the galleys toward the back of the plane. If you’re a light sleeper, I’d recommend booking a seat closer to the front of the cabin to avoid being disturbed.
If you’re a Lite traveler, you’ll have to pay to select a seat, otherwise one will be assigned to you. On a long-haul flight, I think it’s worth paying a little extra to get the aisle or window seat you want. Prices vary by flight, so log in to your booking to see the fees.
Boarding process
The airline boards by class and loyalty status, as you’d expect. If you’re in economy and want to get on the plane early to secure overhead bin space, you can pay a small fee for priority boarding. You can easily add this to your booking online.
Now, for the most important tip when flying out of Tel Aviv: expect some serious security. You’ll face extra questioning before you even get to the main security line. It can feel intense, but it’s standard procedure at Ben Gurion Airport, so don’t be concerned. Just give yourself plenty of extra time so you’re not sprinting to your gate.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
EL AL offers in-flight entertainment on all flights, but the format depends on your aircraft. On 737-900, selected 737-800, and 767 aircraft, entertainment is streamed to your personal devices. If you’re on a streaming flight, make sure your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is charged before boarding.
Wi-Fi is available for a fee on most flights to and from North America and Europe on selected aircraft, including all 787 Dreamliners, all 737-900s, and selected 737-800s. EL AL specifies that its Basic package is limited to smartphones and tablets (not laptops), while the Premium package covers laptops. The cost depends on your route, so check the options once you’re in the air.
EL AL lounges
At its home base in Tel Aviv, EL AL operates the King David Lounge for its business class passengers and high-tier frequent flyers. It’s located in the Terminal 3 Departure Hall (Duty Free area, Concourse D) and is a great place to relax for a few hours before your flight. You can access the lounge within three hours of departure. Just remember that the lounge serves only kosher food, so you can’t bring in outside food or drink.
It’s also important to know that the lounge closes for Shabbat and Jewish holidays, reportedly reopening about an hour after Shabbat ends on Saturday evening. But since many flights don’t operate during these times anyway, it shouldn’t affect your travel plans.
In other airports around the world, EL AL passengers can use partner lounges—for example, the Paul Maxence lounge at Paris CDG. Note that not every airport offers lounge access; Munich, for instance, has no lounge option.
Loyalty program
EL AL’s loyalty program is called the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club. It has four tiers—Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Top Platinum—each offering perks like lounge access and extra baggage. The airline has a codeshare agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, among others, and members can accumulate points on flights to all destinations where EL AL has code share agreements.
Here’s my frank advice: unless you live in Israel or fly there constantly, it’s probably not worth chasing status with Matmid. Most international travelers will get more value by crediting their flights to a partner airline they use more regularly through codeshare agreements.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
