Israel’s flag carrier EL AL is based out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. It serves destinations around the world, including in Europe, the U.S., and Africa. Because of its origin country, the airline follows Jewish tradition by serving only kosher food onboard and in the lounges, and by not operating during Shabbat or Jewish holidays. Passengers unfamiliar with these traditions can experience some culture shock when flying. Here’s what you need to know.
Fare classes on EL AL
EL AL has three classes: economy, premium, and business. Economy offers several fare types, which impact your baggage allowance and seat choice. Premium is only offered on specific aircraft, but it can be a great option for longer flights if you don’t want to splurge on business class.
Economy class
EL AL’s most basic fare class is economy, which is comparable to that on most European airlines. There are three fare types: Lite, Classic, and Flex. These impact how many bags you can bring and check. In economy, the availability of seatback screens depends on the aircraft type, and some planes have USB ports and power outlets for travelers.
The food in economy tends to be relatively basic, although it does highlight Israeli cuisine and flavors. Flights to Europe include a choice of sandwich, while longer international flights feature full meals. On flights longer than seven hours, you can expect a second meal before landing.
All meals and drinks served on EL AL are kosher, although passengers can request special meals, including vegan and vegetarian. You are allowed to bring your own food onboard, but I recommend being considerate of Jewish tradition when packing snacks or meals.
Premium class
Premium class is located in a smaller cabin in between economy and business on EL AL’s Dreamliner and upgraded 777 aircraft. The seats are similar to those in economy, but have more space and a more extended recline, as well as a footrest. The seatback screeners are also slightly larger, which can make a long flight more bearable. The fare includes additional checked luggage.
The food in premium is higher end than the options in economy, with passengers on flights longer than seven hours offered two meals. The meals include wine and alcoholic drinks. The dining choices are not the best reason to upgrade, but the smaller cabin and more spacious seats can make a big difference on an overnight journey.
Business class
EL AL’s top fare class is business, which is notably comfortable on the Dreamliner and upgraded 777 planes. The lay-flat seats are built into private compartments, which allows for privacy and much-needed space, and have good entertainment systems with large, HD touchscreens. Business travelers get TUMI amenity kits with Rituals Cosmetics products. On the 777 and 737 planes, business features more traditional seats with extended recline.
Business class passengers can use express check-in. You also get a larger checked luggage allowance and lounge access, which is available both at Ben Gurion Airport and at international airports. The meals are similar to those offered in premium, with wine and alcoholic drinks included.
Those traveling in economy can bid to upgrade their ticket to business or premium ahead of a flight. You get to choose how much you want to bid up to 24 hours before flying, which can be a great way to boost yourself into a higher fare class. Frequent Flyer Club members can also use points to upgrade.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
El Al flights all offer in-flight entertainment, although only specific planes have seatback screens. Passengers can expect individual screens on the 787 Dreamliners and the upgraded 777 aircraft, while other aircraft provide streaming services on personal devices. Streaming can be used on smartphones, tablets, and laptops, so it’s best to ensure you have a charged device before boarding if you want to watch movies or TV shows.
Only some El Al flights have Wi-Fi services enabled. It’s available for a fee on flights to and from Europe, the Middle East, and North America, and can be used on the 787 Dreamliners, as well as on some of the 737 and 777 planes. Passengers can opt for one of three plans: Basic, Social, and Business. The cost varies based on where you are flying and which plan you want to use. Basic and Social plans can only be used on smartphones and tablets, not laptops.
Baggage allowance
Luggage allowance on EL AL can be slightly confusing. The amount of bags you can check depends on your class and fare type. In economy, only Classic and Flex fares include a checked bag. To check additional bags, passengers need to pre-order the luggage allowance. The fees can vary based on your destination. Premium class passengers are allowed two checked bags of up to 23 kg per bag, while business class passengers can check two bags of up to 32 kg per bag.
Carry-on bags also vary based on your fare type. Lite and Classic passengers get one carry-on up to 8 kg, while Flex passengers can bring two carry-on bags, but they can’t exceed 12 kg in total. Premium passengers can also bring two, up to 12 kg in total, while business passengers get two, up to 20 kg in total.
Everyone is allowed one personal bag, which is a purse, backpack, or laptop bag. I recommend looking at your booking very carefully to ensure you meet the luggage requirements for your specific ticket.
Seat selection and check-in
Check-in for all flights on EL AL is available 24 hours before departure. Passengers can usually check in online, although it’s also possible to wait to check in at the airport. Seat selection can also be tricky on EL AL. There are several types of economy seats, and each type is available to specific fare types.
If you are flying Classic or Flex, you can select a seat ahead of flying. Flex passengers can choose a “Front Zone” seat or “Extra Space Seat,” located in the bulkhead or exit row, for free.” Lite travelers need to pay to choose a seat. There are also “EL AL Space Seats,” which have extended legroom.
The prices can vary based on the flight, so it’s best to log on to your online booking to check for specific fees. If you opt not to pay the fee, you will be allocated a seat, which can be stressful for some people. On long-haul flights, it’s worth paying extra for that coveted window or aisle.
Orthodox Jews are strict about praying and likely will pray on longer flights on EL AL. This tends to happen towards the back of the plane, usually in the aircraft galleys, and can be disruptive if you’re trying to sleep. I recommend booking a seat closer to the front of economy or away from a galley if you don’t plan to participate in the prayer.
Boarding process
Boarding on EL AL is by class and loyalty status. Those in economy who want to board more quickly can pay to add priority boarding to their ticket. It’s a relatively cheap fee and can be useful if you have carry-on luggage you want to stow, or if you prefer to be on the plane early. It’s easy to add to your booking online ahead of a flight.
When departing Tel Aviv, passengers should expect a lot of security measures, including additional questioning ahead of boarding. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time in the airport for security, passport checks, and boarding. It’s standard procedure at Ben Gurion, so even if it feels unusually stringent there’s no reason for concern.
EL AL lounges
In Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, EL AL has their own King David lounge for business class passengers and specific members of the airline’s loyalty program. The lounge can be found in Terminal 3 in the Departures Hall and is open to travelers three hours before their flight.
The lounge at Ben Gurion is kosher, which means that you can’t bring in outside food or drink, which is an important thing for passengers to keep in mind. The lounge isn’t open on Jewish holidays or during Shabbat, which is held every Friday evening through Saturday night. This doesn’t usually impact travelers since EL AL doesn’t operate flights during this time or on the Jewish holidays.
EL AL passengers can use partner lounges in global airports, including in New York’s JFK Airport, Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, and London’s Heathrow. Information on other lounges can be found on the airline’s website, although not every airport offers travelers access to an equivalent lounge.
Loyalty program
EL AL’s loyalty program is called the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club. The program has four status ties: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Top Platinum. Each offers specific benefits to frequent flyers, including lounge access, upgrades, priority boarding, and extra luggage. EL AL has codeshare agreements with several airlines, which allows travelers to earn points in the reciprocal frequent flyer programs. These are Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad, Aero-Mexico, and Qantas.
Unless you live in Israel or regularly travel there, it’s probably not worth focusing on status in the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club. International travelers should instead keep their miles and status goals on airlines they regularly travel. For example, Delta status members will get points for flying EL AL.
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.
