El Al Israel Airlines

Please note most of the good reviews are for Business Class - this is no accident. The economy seating is extremely poor in comparison to many international carriers I've flown. My knees were touching the seat in front before seat was reclined! On the 16 hour flight between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv El Al kept the cabin lights dim and enforced all window shades shut for 14 hours. I have to concur with previous posters about the lack of decorum: some passengers insisted on fully reclining their seats during meals and landing. Strangely flight attendants seemed fearful of some of these people and would not confront them.

Business Class from London to Tel Aviv. Check-in was located in a new area with security lane directly into the duty free shopping area. Staff were thorough and polite. Aircraft was 90 mins late leaving. I was sitting on the lower deck of the 747 with a 2x3x2 configuration. New seating in 'shells' meant there was no reclining seat annoyance. The angle of seat recline and general comfort was poor and I could not get comfortable. Choice of beef chicken or fish with no menu I opted for the fish which was reasonable. Flight attendants pleasant. Immigration at Tel Aviv easy as I was first off the aircraft and luggage soon followed. In summary everything was fine apart from the uncomfortable seats.

Flew from London. Security staff split my partner and I up and questioned us at length they then called us into a side room just before boarding to search our hand luggage. By the end of a long day's travel I felt stressed and miserable. I understand the need for security but there was no attempt at service. The flight itself was ok and the food nice. But as someone else noted they do not observe inflight safety procedures bags are left in aisles and emergency procedures not demonstrated. The in cabin atmosphere was pretty chaotic. That will be the first and last time I fly El Al.

Business class was wonderful friendly service from NY to Tel Aviv. Seat was not flat but I slept for 8 hrs. Food was great and Business was worth the price.

Newark-Tel Aviv B777-200 Business Class. Very professional and attentive crew. Excellent food service. Comfortable seat but not fully flat nor anything outstanding. Entertainment system with good selection. In summary a good recommended travel experience.

Outstanding flight from TLV to CDG. Upgraded to Business Class from Economy for $100/seat. Service was excellent. Cabin was clean. Flight attendants excellent.

Roundtrip TLV-AMS-TLV both trips on a new 738. Check In reasonably efficient FA's enthusiastic tasty meals although very limited choice as the same two dishes were offered in both flights and beyond all the flight was offered for the most competitive price. All in all a good and worthy experience.

VIE-TLV-VIE on a Boeing 737-800 seats comfy meal sufficient and almost tasty. We booked El Al because it was more than 200 Euros cheaper than Austrian Airlines. We didn't worry about the security before we got to the airport as Israeli friends have told us that we would be asked some questions about security matters only. In the end we spent about 1 hour at the check-in counter telling some young security guy about our private lives and personal relationship. As non-Israelis we were questioned separately and our "stories" were put together afterwards. Telling so much about your private live to some 20 year old security guy is not worth saving 200 Euros.

Probably one of the worst Economy Class cabins I flew. They pack you in like sardines so you are out of luck whether you are in a window or an Aisle seat. Food is horrid service is not rude but sort of non existent. I enjoyed Israel a lot and found that the airline does not represent the country well. The security part was actually not too bad but the flight was hot cramped and rather unpleasant.

Aside from some of the worst service inflight El Al let my cat loose on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport. When calling their lost and found call centre I was told by a representative that a lost suitcase has a higher priority than finding a family cat. Their actions display a lack of regard for life period. Unlike people in Israel those of us from the United States love and respect our family pets.