Discover Everything Essential About El Al Israel Airlines

El Al Israel Airlines is Israel's flag carrier, offering its flight services since 1948 when it flew its first flight from Geneva to Tel Aviv. El Al Israel Airlines operates its scheduled domestic and international flight services and cargo flights throughout Israel, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa. El Al Israel Airlines has also played an essential role in many humanitarian rescues, and it is also the only commercial airline to equip its aircraft with a missile defense system. If you are more curious about El Al Israel Airlines, read below this line and find all the essential information every traveller must remember before flying with El Al. 

El Al Israel Airlines hub

El Al Israel Airlines has its headquarters and hub at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). 

Top international destinations of El Al Israel Airlines (with Codes) 

El Al Israel Airlines has shown steady growth and is operating at nearly 50 destinations with a fleet of more than 45. Here are the names of some top international destinations where El Al Israel Airlines flies. 

• Athens --- Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)
• Rome --- Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
• Bangkok --- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
• Paris --- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
• Milan --- Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• Budapest --- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
• New York  --- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Vienna --- Vienna International Airport (VIE)
• Larnaca --- Larnaca International Airport  (LCA)

El Al Israel Airlines Code Share Partner 

El Al Israel Airlines has also partnered with several airlines in the world and expanded its routes and networks via codeshare and interline agreements. Here is the list of some codeshare partner airlines. 

• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Aeroméxico
• Air China
• Air France
• Delta Air Lines
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• KLM
• LATAM Brasil
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Qantas
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Virgin Atlantic

Types of Classes in El Al Israel Airlines and their facilities

El Al Israel Airlines offers three main cabins, and these are available on almost all of their aircraft. These are Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. If you are travelling on a budget, then you can plan an economy class, and if you want a luxurious experience, you can have the business class. Premium Economy is just an upgraded fare of Economy, featuring a few extra privileges and perks. Learn about these travel classes and some of their top features below.

Economy Class: The most loved class of El Al Israel Airlines by budget travellers, offers you the opportunity to plan your journey at an affordable cost, featuring everything that is vital for a comfortable flight trip. 

• You may choose food and beverages from a selected range of options, perfect for any time munching, whether it's breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, or dinner in the evening.
• Various options to get entertained during your flight journey via In-Flight Entertainment systems, consisting of 1000+ hours of content. 

Premium Economy Class: Premium cabins are an improved or upgraded version of El Al Israel Airlines' economy class, where you can enjoy more benefits and perks, such as better seating, more convenience at the airport, and more. 

• Seats are a highlighted feature of El Al Israel Airlines' premium economy class, where you get extra legroom, a footrest and an extended reclining and adjustable headrest. 
• The Premium class also has some advanced entertainment systems with a large touch screen where you get more content to consume, with Power outlets and USB ports attached to the seat. 

Business Class: The most luxurious cabin at El Al Israel Airlines is the Business Class, where you will get everything extra, including legroom and flight services. If you are booking a ticket in El Al Israel Airlines' business class cabin, then you will get priority, exclusive food, free wifi and more, which takes your travel experience to the next level.

• Business class seats are uniquely designed for maximum comfort, space, and privacy. These are fully flatbed and highly cushioned for neck and back support.
• Best-in-class dining options make you crave more and more, and you can experience delightfulness with the Amenity kits by TUMI, which are filled with luxurious products.

El Al Israel Airlines Booking Process

Flight booking at El Al Israel Airlines can be made anytime when using its website and mobile app. Whether you are planning a long-haul or short-haul trip, round trip or one-way, you can make a reservation very easily from your home or office. Follow the steps for flight reservation as given.

• You can visit the official website of El Al Israel Airlines, elal.com.
• As you find the hero section, a reservation feature appears; you can use it for your flight search and Booking.
• Enter your trip details, trip date, departure or arrival station, and do a quick flight search.
• Once the flight is completed, you can find a list and choose any flight that suits you.
• Move next, complete your passenger's details, and select a seat, plus other services as per your preferences. 
• Once you have completed the flight reservation form, it's time to pay for the airfare.
• Using any applicable payment methods, pay for your flight. Once you're done, your flight reservation process will be completed, and you can receive a confirmation.

El Al Israel Airlines Flight Change or Cancellation Policy 

It is understandable that sometimes the plan needs to be changed, and the flight also gets affected. El Al Israel Airlines understands that and allows you to make necessary changes or cancellations as needed before the deadline in case you have booked a flight ticket and want to request modifications in your itinerary unexpectedly. Here are some rules and regulations that you must keep in mind about El Al Israel Airlines flight changes or cancellations. 

• You can modify or cancel your flight tickets online and offline at El Al Israel Airlines. 
• If you want to modify your El Al Israel Airlines flight, then you are allowed to change the flight date, time, and/or destination on your own. 
• If you want to cancel or change your El AL flight, a fee will be applied, plus a pricing difference, and both are mandatory to pay in order to complete the request. 
• As per the El Al Israel Airlines fare rule, you cannot change your flight ticket to a lower-value ticket, but you can change it to a higher-value ticket. 
• The cancellation or changes of the El Al Israel Airlines flight ticket must be made up to two hours prior to departure of the flight. Otherwise, you may be unable to request it or may forfeit the refund. 
• Keep in mind that El Al Israel Airlines reserves the right to change or cancel your flight ticket as per the scenarios. 
• The El Al Israel Airlines flight change and cancellation charges depend on many conditions, such as flight route, fare type, class of service and more. 

El Al Israel Airlines Flight Change or Cancellation Process

Learning about the rules and regulations, and after that keeping those in mind while doing the process can help you have a smooth process. Here is the process of El Al Israel Airlines flight cancellation and change given below; you can follow the steps for the online process. 

• Start the El Al Israel Airlines flight change and cancellation process for your flight ticket by visiting the official website or using its mobile app.
• Go to the Manage My Booking option from the menu and tap on it.
• Provide the PNR details, including the booking reference code or ticket number and the Last name of any booked passenger.
• Choose the flight, and you can easily find the option to make flight modifications and cancellations. No, follow the on-screen steps to complete it.
• When done, pay the applicable price difference and penalties for the service using suitable payment options.
• Lastly, a confirmation of the service will be sent to your registered email address.

El Al Israel Airlines Loyalty Program

Suppose you travel with El Al Israel Airlines regularly and you are a loyal traveller of El Al Israel Airlines; you must desire some exclusive perks and benefits to be a loyal customer. In such cases, El Al Israel Airlines has a frequent flyer program that is only for those who are true flyers of El Al Israel Airlines. It is more like a rewarding program, and joining this loyalty program not only gives you some advantages but also many advantages that attract you to travel more and more. Every time you fly with El Al Israel Airlines, you earn points, and these points are then used to book award tickets, upgrade to a premium class or a more comfortable seat, enjoy duty-free discounts on board, book hotels or rental cars, etc. 

How to join the Matmid Frequent Flyer Program?

You can join the Matmid frequent flyer club by enrolling in the loyalty program and unlocking potential offers and discounts, along with several complementary and exclusive benefits. To join the Matmid Frequent Flyer Program, you can follow the steps below.

• You can browse the official website of El Al Israel Airlines or its mobile app. 
• You can go to the menu and find the "Matmid Frequent Flyer" option once you have reached elal.com
• You can scroll through the page and find the "Join the Club" option. Just tap on it and then follow the screen steps for easy sign-up.
• Once the sign-up is completed and your account is created, you can now book a flight and start earning travel points.

Matmid Frequent Flyer Program Benefits

Before enrolling in the El Al Israel Airlines' Matmid program, it is good to be aware of the benefits of this program. Some of the major highlights of this program are given below.

• First of all, you will be earning Matmid frequent Flyer points, which will be calculated according to the fare you spend. 
• Earn a tier status based on how frequently you travel with El Al Israel Airlines.
• Redeem these points to purchase an award flight.
• Book flight tickets with any of the El Al Israel Airlines partners, and you will earn Club points as well.
• These points can also be used to make hotel reservations by redeeming them at both domestic and international destinations. 
• If you want to use a car rental service, then you can rent a car by redeeming these points.
• Elite members can grab exclusive airport benefits such as priority boarding, upgrades, and baggage-related benefits. 

El Al Israel Airlines Refund Policy

When you travel with El Al Israel Airlines, it is good to be ready for sudden plan changes and learn about refund-related rules and guidelines. Here, you can find some of the most highlighted rules of El Al Israel Airlines' refund policy that might save you. 

• According to the El Al Israel Airlines refund policy, refunds will only be given to those segments of the flight ticket that remain unused till the time of cancelling. 
• In case you have a request for a refund for your canceled flight, then the refund will be processed after deductions of applicable penalties and/or processing fees that could vary based on fare conditions.
• If there is any case where you don't show up for the flight, then you may request a refund, but only a Tax refund is applicable.
• For any case where your El Al Israel Airlines flight itinerary includes more than one segment and you didn't use them all, then they will not be usable or refundable in any way. 
• To request a refund, you can go to the online booking management portal at elal.com or reach out to the nearest El Al Israel Airlines office and place a written request for a refund.
• The refundable amount will be processed using the original mode of payment and currency. 

El Al Israel Airlines Seat Upgrade 

Seat upgrade on El Al Israel Airlines allows you to have a chance to upgrade your class of service to premium or business if you are holding an economy ticket, or upgrade it to business class if you have booked a premium economy ticket to make your travel more comfortable and luxurious. Seat upgrade at El Al Israel Airlines can be done via mainly three ways, and these are explained below with the process and key features.

El Al Israel Airlines Seat upgrade through bidding: In this method, you can easily place an offer to upgrade your seat to premium economy or business cabin seat and if your offer get selected, it will be allotted to you just like a bidding. 

El Al Israel Airlines seat upgrade onboard: El Al Israel Airlines allows you to upgrade your seat even when you are on the flight. If you are on board and suddenly decide to upgrade to business or premium class, you can upgrade at a special price using cash or points. 

Seat upgrade for Matmid Club Members: In case you are a club member and have decided to get a more relaxing and luxurious experience, then you can easily submit a seat upgrade request with just a few clicks. Go to Manage Booking and choose the flight segment on the official website of El Al Israel Airlines. Add passengers and then register for it. Once your upgrade registration is examined, an update will be sent to your email. EL AL will send a response about the booking summary containing the fare to be paid. Pay it and enjoy. 

Important things to remember about the El Al Israel Airlines seat upgrade.

• Keep in mind that you may not be refunded for any additional baggage or seat upgrade you made once your bid is accepted. 
• The seat upgrade to the higher class can come with or without full service or lounge access once your seat upgrade is confirmed. 
• The bid-offer can be submitted up to 12 hours before the actual flight schedule time but no later than 6 hours before; you can modify your bid.
• You should keep in mind that the seat upgrade is subject to respective rules and regulations and the availability of seats in the class at that time.
• To consider your upgrade request, El Al Israel Airlines will verify a number of things, including your tier status, whether holding a FLY CARD PREMIUM or not, the time of request, the number of diamonds you have earned in the past 12 months, etc.

El Al Israel Airlines Pet Policy

Travelling with pets on El Al Israel Airlines is easy, but there are a few things you must be aware of, and these are mentioned below.

• You can carry your pet as personal baggage in the cabin, as checked baggage, and as cargo.
• It is important to obtain authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Services for the transportation of your pet.
• Some dogs and cats may be restricted. Kindly check the list at https://www.elal.com/eng/baggage/pets
• To carry pets in the plane's cabin, your pet must remain inside the cage, and the total weight does not exceed 9kg.
• There will be a cost for carrying the pet, and it depends on the total weight, including the cage, the pet, and the food.
• The cage must have 3-4 air vents and a metal door.
• Size restrictions for different classes and aircraft
  • Dreamliner (787) – Economy class: 13x8x8 inches
  • Dreamliner (787) – Premium class: 17x7x7 inches
  • Dreamliner (787) – Business class: 17x10x9 inches
  • 737 aircraft – Economy class: 16x15x7 inches
  • 737 aircraft – Business class: 12x12x7.5 inches

Types of Discounts or Offers on El Al Israel Airlines

El Al Israel Airlines regularly runs discounted deals and offers to attract travellers. You can stay updated by visiting El Al Israel Airlines' official deals page or this link: https://www.elal.com/en/Deals/Offers/Pages/default.aspx. 

Special offers for tourists visiting Israel: if you are visiting Israel, then you can upgrade your trip with two exclusive offers:

• You can enjoy a culinary experience in Israel's most well-known markets. 
• Enjoy a $10 discount when you order the Levinsky Bite Card/Machane Yehuda Shuk Bites ticket.
• You can roam the country in your rental car. 

El Al Israel Airlines Coupon

You can use an El Al Israel Airlines coupon if you have one to get a discounted flight reservation. If you have credit vouchers, then they can be used at the payment page. Here you need to follow the steps below.

• Go to the official website of El Al Israel Airlines, elal.com, or open its mobile app. 
• You can find the reservation tab, where you can see the "I Have a Coupon Code" option. 
• Tap on it and enter a coupon code.
• If your El Al Israel Airlines coupon code is valid, then the discount will be applied, and you can see flights with a discounted fare. 
• Just follow the rest of the flight reservation process and complete your Booking.

Last Minute Deals for El Al Israel Airlines Flight 

Booking an El Al Israel Airlines flight at the last minute can be expensive, and the price might haunt you if you do not know how to get a flight at the last minute for a lower price. Here are some tips you must read and use. 

• If you are more flexible with your travel dates and destination, you can find a promising deal for your El Al Israel Airlines flight. 
• You must not book the first El Al Israel Airlines flight you see on the list; you must compare the fares.
• You can subscribe to the El Al Israel Airlines newsletter to find the latest updates about promotional and last-minute deals quickly. 
• You can join El Al Israel Airlines' frequent flyer program, which is Matmid, where you can exclusively find more deals than a non-club member. 
• It would be good to consider booking a connecting flight; sometimes, direct flight fares are more expensive than connecting fares on El Al Israel Airlines. 
• Keep in mind to check out last-minute deals at the El Al Israel Airlines office website or social media handles. You may find an attractive promo code that you can use to get your El Al Israel Airlines last-minute flight.
• If you are booking a flight at the last minute, then you should be aware of the extra cost that you are paying unnecessarily, so avoid it.
• If you are booking a flight during the weekend, then you may find it more expensive, so try to purchase it during weekdays. 

El Al Israel Airlines International Travel Rules

• You must contact the relevant embassies of the country to clarify entry restrictions or health-related requirements. 
• You must hold a valid visa or ESTA along with a flight ticket.
• Your passport must be valid for the period of your stay. Normally, at least  3 to 6 months of validity is accepted. 
• You must carry your residential documentation, travel-related documents, and a government-issued identity card.
• You must possess enough funds in your bank account as required for entry or exit from a country.

Cheapest Time or Date of Booking Flight of El Al Israel Airlines

There is no fixed time in a year when you can say that the cheapest time to buy an El Al Israel Airlines flight ticket is 100% surety. Getting a cheap flight depends on the demand for travel in a particular month. Generally, November is considered to be the best month for getting cheap flights, and June is the most expensive month; these are subject to a number of factors. If you want to book a flight on closer dates, then you can choose weekdays as the best days, and nighttime is the least expensive.  

Frequently Asked Questions about El Al Israel Airlines

What is the best time to book an El Al Israel Airlines flight?

When you are looking ot book an El Al Israel Airlines flight, then you must consider flying on a red-eye flight and book on a weekday to get the flight at affordable rates.

How far in advance should I book an El Al flight?

You should book at least 3 months in advance to get the best pricing for any El Al Israel Airlines flight. 

Can I carry my pet on El Al?

Yes, you are allowed to carry your pet on El Al Israel Airlines-operated flights on selected routes, but you must adhere to the pet carriage guidelines. 

Can I change my name on an El Al flight?

Sadly, El Al Israel Airlines has not allowed anyone to make a complete name change on a flight ticket, so you have to cancel your flight ticket and then book a new one with the right name.

Can I upgrade my El Al economy ticket using club points?

If you are a member of El Al Israel Airlines' frequent flyer program, then you can use your club points to upgrade your economy ticket to premium or business class.