El Al Israel Airlines

I used this airline 6 times (4 on Bangkok-Tel Aviv route and twice Tel Aviv-Rome route). Staff were friendly and the food was good entertainment was absolutely fine.

LHR-TLV-LHR. Flew out on B747 which had individual seat back screens with a choice of films playing in a fixed pattern. Return flight on B767 with overhead screens with no choice of inflight entertainment screens old and poorly spaced made viewing entertainment a bit of a challenge. Both aircraft's were clean with inflight magazine and the usual seatback options. No amenity kits just headphones pillow and blanket. Boarding at LHR slow and delayed due to late arrival of incoming aircraft. Security checks very through staff ok. Meal Service was slow as there seemed to be a huge number of "Special" meals that had to be distributed before the main service started. Quite a bit of hand luggage slowed down getting on and off the plane - also no formal boarding process just a first come first served. Outbound flight late inbound flight more or less on time.

EWR-TLV economy B777-200. The cheapest flight on this route. Check-in was fast but boarding was slow and the security officer rude and pointless. Plane left 45 mins late but arrived on time. Seat was comfortable with enough space. Food was delicious especially the breakfast. The entertainment was not as extensive as other Asian carriers. Flight attendants were responsive and present in the cabin during this long flight.

I have flown El Al many times both TLV-JFK and TLV-Europe. In terms of legroom while flights between Israel and the US may be a bit tight I have found on all of my flights to Europe that there is plenty of legroom. The menu has been upgraded in the past few years and the food is excellent. The crew are very attentive to passengers' needs.

Sydney-Bangkok on Thai Bangkok-Tel Aviv on El Al - I saw a great contrast. The worst thing apart from long security checks was the minimal seating space. Back of seat pockets hanging off in-seat screen stopped working within 30 mins passengers congregate in the aisles. No safety info some of the "waitresses" rather haughty. No-one was rude but the whole trip was a cramped overly warm experience that ideally demonstrated why the name "cattle class" was invented.

The seats were very narrow and uncomfortable and leg room was the same on my flight from New York to Tel Aviv on a 777 jet. The food was good for airline food and the service was good.

TLV-YYZ. Flight on time clean plane spacious comfortable seat. Nice food pleasant crew. Seat did not have video screen but portable "vidibox" was offered which was an acceptable alternative. In any case prefer to sleep during night flight then watching movies.

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.