El Al Israel Airlines

Tel Aviv to Frankfurt on B767-300. On the bad side the flight was delayed for approx 2 hours due to a technical problem on the incoming aircraft. However we were given accurate information and breakfast was offered in an airport café. Aircraft was old but in good condition and clean. Seat comfortable and seat pitch fine. Staff friendly and attentive serving water during the flight. Hot meal was fine. Headphones free of charge IFE limited to old overhead monitors showing a recent movie.

MAD-TLV Business Class B737-800. On the positive side attentive crew and excellent lunch service. Entertainment program enjoyable. Seat from the old generation but comfortable. Service and comfort would shine more with an upgraded airplane. On the preventive side some flights form the USA and South America connecting in Madrid with ELAL to TLV do not have enough time for luggage to be transfered and go through ELAL strict security process which includes passengers recognition of each piece. This is due not so much for the extra time for ELAL security but mainly for slow luggage transfer and baggage claim at Barajas airport.

C-class Luton-TLV and return TLV-LHR. Out on a tired 757 with far from state-of-the-art seats and antique IFE cheerful crew decent food. Smooth security screening at Luton. Easy clearance through newish T3 at TLV. Return on a 777 - again fairly weary but with an excellent crew. I know my experience is not in accord with others but I found nothing really to complain about other than a somewhat tired collection of aircraft.

CDG-TVL-FCO. CDG-TLV on B777. Aircraft reasonably new and IFE acceptable though not brilliant. Long boarding delays due to what seemed like poor organisation and passengers not following instructions. Econony class was reasonably comfortable. Food not bad. TLV-FCO on an old B737 IFE limited and quite poor and seats were not as comfortable as the B777. The service was reasonable and security whilst thorough and overbearing was not as bad as I had thought that it would be.

I did not enjoy my flights from JFK-TLV-JFK. The meals were OK lack of legroom was appalling. The IFE was passable but nothing on demand just a few movies on a cycle. El Al is too permissive with the amount of carry-on luggage permitted. But the big problem is the passengers who treat the aircraft like a city park wandering the aisles clustering in conversation groups to the point of ignoring the crew’s instructions. El Al needs to enforce some decorum. Crew did their best to smile but seemed to have given up on any hope of more civility. Nice snacks in the galley throughout the flight.

Bangkok to Tel Aviv. Very old aircraft dirty and many features/items not working. Entertainment system appalling still projecting movies onto bulkhead screen and only radio options in seat. Too much cabin baggage allowed. Food surprisingly good although no frills like other carriers. Sparing with water but available on request. Lots of children on board so all bulkhead bassinets taken. Cabin crew did their best generally cheerful and accommodating. Long flight time but didn't have too many options to get to Tel Aviv was also expensive for economy class ticket. TLV security measures - be prepared and stay calm!

Airplane dated and small seats but crew friendly. Breakfast good other meals fair to poor. At airport in NYC I was interrogated and my companion taken in a private room and his bags searched. Fine with us - I feel safer.

Johannesburg to Tel Aviv on Boeing 767. Old aircraft narrow seats small food portions and tasteless. No beer or wine served. A budget airline with expensive airfares - never again.

I have been flying El Al since 1968 but the last trip was the worst. The seats are smaller than most airlines and my seat was next to the galley the noise and smells were horrible. Instead of the advertised dinner meal- they have switched it to just a sandwich - either egg or chicken smothered in peppers. Flight attendents were actually very rude and sarcastic and informed me Israelis eat their meal at lunch - assuming no one else flies this airline - and they said breakfast was better - horrible also. After 40 years of flying El Al I was so surprised - they always had great food and extra if you requested it. I did send a complaint letter and they called me and said they are trying this now because they do cater to Israelis and they like egg sandwiches for dinner. They said maybe they will "Sell" food - well after paying about $1300 they will give you a sandwich and hope you buy the better food?

TLV-LAX-TLV. Extremely poor service for unaccompanied minors. Despite having paid the 75 USD unaccompanied minor fee (150 USD roundtrip) at the point of origin the agent at the check-in counter at LAX forced my children to pay it again on the return trip. This despite the fact that the airline record which I later obtained clearly showed the fee was paid round trip. The refund procedure has been another nightmare. Upon arrival at TLV the employee who was supposed to escort my children to the arrivals area released them without asking to see my ID and without requiring a signature. Very sloppy indeed.