El Al Israel Airlines

LHR-TLV return. The flights were busy but check in and security both ways quick and efficient. The staff questions were y polite and professional as were flight staff. The planes - ageing 767s - had no proper entertainment system but a better leg room pitch than usual in economy these days. Food quite poor. Overall: a much better experience than I had feared.

LHR to Tel Aviv return. Outbound on B777-200ER. Seats excellent PTV but I didn't bother with it. Economy over 80% full but staff attentive. After take off served drinks and nibbles followed by meal. Tel Aviv to LHR was a venerable 747 - dated but everything worked. Aircraft was full and cabin crew working flat out. The bargain was the seat upgrade - economy seats are fine but if there are seats free on board you can buy what's really a premium seat with about 48" legroom at bulkhead or exit rows - just $39.

International seats as small as domestic SAA. No drinks served understaffed food disgusting. Flying EL AL has been the worst experience of my life. Now I know what it means when they say you get what you pay for. I will gladly pay an extra few thousand rand next time to go another airline - but will never again fly EL AL. They are so concerned about their security issues they forget all about their customers. They make you feel like a criminal and treat you like a dog during flight.

EWR-TLV-EWR. First trip on new 777 almost full but we had the center seat empty. Food was good and hot. Comfy seats and minimal noise. Return delayed by an hour due to a broken lavatory door. No empty center seat this time and a "would not shut up" passenger next to me made this flight a lot less comfortable. Dinner good although served at 2-30 am! Used frequent flyer miles and the cost for two tickets was $155.00 US round trip.