Founded: 1948
Headquarters: Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
Main hub: Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), Terminal 3
El Al is Israel’s national airline and, for many travellers, the default way to fly to and from the country. Its name means “to the skies” in Hebrew, and for more than seven decades it has been a symbol of Israeli aviation. Here is a profile of the airline: its history, fleet, network, service and what to know before you book.
A brief history of El Al
El Al was founded in 1948, just months after the establishment of the State of Israel. Its first flight brought Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, home from Geneva. Over the decades the airline expanded its fleet and routes to become one of the leading carriers in the Middle East. It has also played a part in major national events, including the airlifts of Ethiopian Jews – during Operation Solomon in 1991, an El Al Boeing 747 carried more than 1,000 passengers on a single flight, a world record.
The El Al fleet
El Al operates an all-Boeing fleet. Long-haul routes to North America and Asia are flown mainly by Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777s, while Boeing 737s serve Europe and shorter routes. The airline continues to take delivery of new Dreamliners. Our guide to the El Al fleet looks at each aircraft in detail.
Routes and onboard service
El Al flies to destinations across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa, and its subsidiary Sun d’Or operates additional leisure routes. All meals on board are kosher, and the airline is known for its familiar, Israeli-style service. Long-haul flights offer economy, premium economy and business class.
Economy tickets come in several fare types with different baggage and flexibility rules – see El Al Lite, Classic or Flex compared to choose the right one.
Security
El Al is famous for having one of the most rigorous security operations in the world, with detailed passenger screening at the airport. Arrive early, especially when departing from abroad, and allow extra time for questioning and checks.
Loyalty programme
El Al’s frequent flyer programme, Matmid, lets members earn points on flights and with partners, and redeem them for tickets and upgrades. Points can also be earned with partner credit cards in Israel.
Tips for flying El Al
- Compare fares carefully: the cheapest fare may not include a checked bag or seat selection.
- Check in early: online check-in saves time, but leave plenty of margin for security.
- Follow the news: El Al’s network changes with the seasons and the security situation. Check the current list of El Al and Sun d’Or destinations.
Flying to Europe? See our tips for booking El Al flights to Paris. You can also compare El Al with Israel’s other airlines, Israir and Arkia.
