Cheap El Al Israel Airlines Flights

El Al Israel Airlines, also known simply as El Al, is Israel's national flag carrier with its main base at Ben Gurion Airport. The airline was established in 1948 and has grown to serve almost 50 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, and the Far East. El Al is known for its stringent security measures, both on the ground and on board, making it one of the world's most secure airlines. This includes being the only commercial airline to equip its planes with missile defense systems.

El Al operates a fleet primarily composed of Boeing aircraft and offers both scheduled domestic and international flights along with cargo services. The airline is also involved in significant humanitarian efforts, notably airlifting Jews to Israel from various countries. El Al does not operate flights on the Jewish Sabbath or religious holidays, adhering to Jewish traditional practices. The airline's operations include passenger and cargo transportation, and it provides additional services like aircraft leasing and duty-free sales.

El Al Israel Airlines offers various check-in options to accommodate passengers' needs. Online check-in is available and can be accessed via El Al's website from 24 hours to 3 hours before the flight's scheduled departure time. This convenient service allows passengers to check in from the comfort of their home or office and print their boarding passes, avoiding long queues at the airport.

In addition to online check-in, passengers can utilize self-service kiosks at the airport or proceed to dedicated El Al check-in counters. The self-service kiosks are designed to streamline the check-in process and are available at select airports, providing a quick way for passengers to check-in and print boarding passes. El Al's check-in desks are staffed by their customer service team, ready to assist passengers with check-in, baggage drop-off, and any last-minute inquiries or travel adjustments.

El Al Israel Airlines maintains detailed baggage policies to ensure smooth travel:

Hand Luggage

Passengers are permitted to bring carry-on luggage that adheres to size limits of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. For Economy Lite and Classic ticket holders, one piece of hand luggage up to 8 kg is allowed. Economy Flex and Premium Class passengers can take two pieces of hand luggage, up to a combined 12 kg, with no single item exceeding 8 kg. Business Class passengers are allowed two pieces with a total limit of 20 kg, where no individual piece exceeds 16 kg.

Checked Baggage

Different fare types include varying allowances for checked baggage. Economy Lite fares exclude free checked bags, whereas Economy Classic and Flex fares typically allow one checked bag up to 23 kg. Premium and Business Class passengers can bring two checked bags, each up to 32 kg, while First Class travelers can bring up to three checked bags, each with a maximum weight of 32 kg.

Any additional luggage beyond the allocated allowance will incur extra fees that vary based on the destination and timing of payment. This applies to oversized or overweight bags.

Special Luggage

Travelers bringing special equipment like sports gear or musical instruments should arrange in advance with the airline, as these items could require additional fees.

El Al Israel Airlines provides passengers with options to select their seats in advance through various booking platforms, enhancing the travel experience with preferred seating choices. The seat selection process varies depending on the ticket class and the route of travel. Generally, passengers can choose their seats while booking their tickets or during online check-in, which opens 24 hours before the flight.

El Al offers detailed seat maps for different aircraft types, allowing passengers to view and select seats based on specific preferences such as legroom, proximity to the lavatories, or window views. For those traveling in higher classes such as Business, additional comfort options are available including seats with more space and enhanced privacy. While basic seat selection might be included in the fare for some ticket classes, premium seat options, especially those offering extra legroom or located in preferred sections of the aircraft, might incur additional fees.

El Al's Matmid Frequent Flyer Club offers tiered membership, including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Top Platinum, where higher levels provide better rewards like free tickets, discounted upgrades, and priority check-in. Points are earned on El Al flights, partner airlines, and through deals with businesses like hotels and car rentals.

Matmid Club members benefit from exclusive offers, including lounge access, more flexible booking options, and special promotions tailored to personal travel preferences. Partnerships with global loyalty programs also let members earn and redeem points worldwide.

El Al Israel Airlines offers a diverse and carefully curated menu that caters to various tastes and dietary requirements. Their recent inflight menu was designed by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit, reflecting the rich diversity of Israeli cuisine. Available across all cabin classes, the menu combines classic and contemporary Israeli dishes. Economy class passengers are treated to freshly made snack sandwiches, while those in premium and business classes can enjoy a more expansive selection of modern Israeli-inspired meals.

For passengers with specific dietary needs, El Al provides a wide range of special meal options, such as poultry or fish-focused meals, fruit-based dishes, and vegetarian or vegan meals. Additionally, there are special offerings for health-conscious travelers, like low-sugar and reduced-gluten meals. For passengers adhering to kosher dietary laws, El Al also offers strictly kosher (glatt) meals, certified by religious authorities.

El Al Israel Airlines offers a top-tier entertainment system to provide passengers with an enjoyable flight experience. The Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 787 aircraft are equipped with personal Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD) screens. In the Boeing 737-900ER and some Boeing 737-800 models, passengers can stream content using their own iPads and smartphones via an El Al app.

The airline provides a diverse range of entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, music, and games to cater to various tastes. Passengers can easily choose their preferred content using personal screens on the back of each seat. El Al also ensures passengers stay connected during the flight with various internet subscription plans, ranging from basic messaging to comprehensive internet use.

When planning to travel with a pet from Israel, ensure you acquire the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Services well in advance, as this process can include various health tests and might take several months. Pets up to 9 kg can often fly in the cabin, while heavier pets might need to be checked in as baggage or sent as cargo, depending on their weight and the airline’s rules.

Each destination country has its own requirements for pet importation, including health certificates and possible quarantine. Before traveling, consult the destination country's authorities and prepare all required documentation to avoid any issues on arrival. Remember, the cost of transporting pets varies depending on their weight and the travel method, and it's advisable to check with the airline for detailed pricing.

El Al Israel Airlines provides exclusive lounge access to enhance the travel experience of its passengers. Access to the King David lounges is granted to First and Business Class travelers on El Al, members of El Al’s Matmid Frequent Flyer Club with Top Platinum, Platinum, and Gold status, and members of the El Al King David Club. While Silver members of the Matmid Club can gain lounge access for an annual fee, they cannot bring guests. These lounges offer a range of amenities designed to provide comfort and convenience to eligible passengers.

Additionally, through a partnership with Delta Air Lines that began in early 2024, El Al and Delta offer reciprocal lounge access benefits to their top-tier frequent flyer members. This collaboration aims to provide a seamless and enhanced travel experience for passengers flying between North America and Israel, with the added perks of priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and preferred seating arrangements.