El Al Israel Airlines

We flew Bangkok to Tel Aviv on 13/01/2014 and return to Bangkok 27/01/2014. Both planes were old Boeing 747s extremely cramped seating and not very clean. Food served was very average staff needed a lesson in politeness. On return trip we were asked if we wanted to upgrade our seats which we did as I had had both hips replaced. We accepted this and paid $99 each to be given two seats under the TV screen at the partition of the section I could not stretch out both of my legs as it was impossible. I asked the hostess to move the both of us as these seats had less leg room than we had previously been allocated. I explained to the hostess that we had paid for extra leg room and that it was impossible to sit in these seats for 10.5 hours. We were moved to the area at the kitchen which was more leg room. but the noise and traffic in the aisle was pathetic. To charge $99 each was nothing short of a RIP OFF. I suggest that It is about time that EL AL bought some new planes and retire these old planes to the Arizona graveyard. Never again.

I was traveling with my wife and my 6 year old and 3 year old. The seats I was assigned were split 2 seats together and another 2 seats together mid-way in to the plane. I was under the assumption that when I get to the airport I could ask them to place us near each other as it would be very inconvenient and uncomfortable to be separated from family members on a long flight like this. At the airport the representative said she would see what she could do. There were available seats closer together and closer to the front of the plane. The last thing I expected was that the tickets that were given to me would be taken away minutes after. For no apparent reason the representative revoked the seats. As she handed me the tickets she simply said that she could not give us those seats anymore and the only seats now available were the ones in all the way in the back of the plane. She assured me we were still all going to be seated together and now that's all that could be done. The reps showed no remorse. After boarding the plane I realized that they put my 2 kids with my wife and had me seated in the middle section of the plane. I had to ask someone to switch seats with me so I could be near my family. The seats were unacceptably tiny for a 10 hour flight I am an average sized man and I couldn't move my legs! The smell from the bathroom was absolutely unbearable! I stood up for most of the flight. Although I do understand that certain things are surely out of an airlines control but I do not comprehend why I was treated so poorly during check in.

We flew from Tel Aviv to Bangkok in March 2014. Airplane was a 747-400 in both directions but they hadn't the same configuration. On the flight to Bangkok on the lower deck there was business class in the front of the plane. On the flight back only economy on the lower deck. We decided to book Economy Plus for 150$ each way. On the flight to Bangkok we discovered that our seat were next to the kitchen. Needless to say that there was a lot of interference and I hadn't the opportunity to sleep much despite the fact that it was a night flight. The seats were as promised of an improved model with a higher pitch and a greater recline angle. On the flight back to Tel Aviv the Economy Plus section was situated at the front of the plane were generally you can find the Business Class. This time there was no kitchen nearby but the seats were of an older model with an increased pitch. El Al didn't deliver the same product on the two flights despite what is published on their site. The staff were efficient and kind as always.

HKG-TLV-HKG flew many times over the last decade every time the level of service the quality of food and beverages and the condition of the cabin seems to get worse. Entertainment system always has faults seats are poorly maintained beverages selection is minimal and service between meals is hardly available if you have a window seat you can't find any steward walking the cabin and you must call one specially to bring you a glass of water. An email sent to customer service was never answered and even a survey initiated by El-Al which I had filled was left un-answered. I am a frequent flyer who will try to avoid flying with them in the future whenever possible.

TLV-JFK. Paid extra for more room seats. Seat was next to the kitchen area constant activity. When I asked the flight attendant to please close the curtain I was spoken to in a harsh manner and told I was waking everyone up. I was awake the entire 12 hour flight. What a disaster. I will never fly El Al again. Very rude and inattentive staff.

TLV-FRA Boeing 737-800. King David Lounge at TLV a pleasure quiet and with good food and wine. Onboard greeted by a charming purser and his colleague. Always addressed by name. While the seat is not a lie-flat seat like LX or BA use to TLV it is more comfortable than the so-called business seat that LH and OS use. There could be more recline and more space between the rows but overall fine. Food and wines fantastic. Crew were proactive friendly chatty and present at all times. Very good experience!

FRA-TLV Boeing 737-800. EL AL use the Luxx Lounge at FRA. This is shared with Condor TunisAir US Airways Qatar and whoever wants to pay. Packed almost no food available and before passport control. A hassle and not worth it. Crew onboard nowhere near as nice as on the TLV-FRA flight. Not addressed by name this time. While the seat is not a lie-flat seat like LX or BA use to TLV it is more comfortable than the so-called business seat that LH and OS use. There could be more recline and more space between the rows but overall fine. Food and wines were again very good. Overall not as my previous flight with EL AL but better than the product LH offers on this route.

FRA-TLV round trip. Best Economy Class food I have had. Seated at emergency exit felt like Business Class regarding seat comfort. Entertainment was better than Lufthansa (A321) on this route. Certainly and reasonably more security so needed to be earlier at the airport. Security staff were very nice anyway.

Munich - Tel Aviv. In Munich they have their own building which is very hard to find. Everywhere policemen and interrogators ask you very personal questions. Baggage is searched without exception. I had a full body inspection with special interrogation because I often fly to Dubai and hold a residence Visa there. They try to be friendly but you feel that they don't want you. Seats are ok and food as well but no one speaks English with you. You can see that they actually understand you very well but don't want to answer to you. No smiles the entire flight. Inflight entertainment is not up to date. Movies are played in a look and I actually did not know one single title. All unknown stuff. Not very tempting on a 4hr flight. Never again.

My experience was similar to many of the comments already written. I flew JFK-TLV-JFK. 747 outbound. 777 inbound. It is not the fault of El Al but the 747's faster speed combined with a strong winter tailwind made the JFK-TLV leg 9 hr 45 min. On the return (TLV-JFK) a strong headwind and the 777's slower speed made the trip 12 hr. 5 min. I am 6' 1" (182 cm) so I am glad that I was in business class. I found the quality of service to be mediocre to non-existent. In spite of the long length of the flight and my being in business class I was impressed both by the poor quality of food and the lack thereof! After a 9.40am takeoff a breakfast was served. The main course was a tiny tasteless omelette. The next meal was 10 hours later (lunch). My seat malfunctioned. And as many others comment in the 10-hour interval between meals the cabin staff made themselves disappear. I would also repeat the comment that the planes are old and the toilets dirty. The real question here is: Does anyone care?