Airline
EL AL (LY)
Independent overview of El Al Israel Airlines (LY): cabins, Matmid frequent flyer tiers, routes, hubs, strengths, weaknesses and travel tips.
IATALYICAOELYDestinations66Fleet44Skytrax3/5
At a Glance
IATA CodeLY
ICAO CodeELY
AllianceIndependent Carrier
Hub AirportsTLVTel Aviv Yafo
CountryIsrael
Fleet Size44
Websitewww.elal.com
Customer Service+972-3-977-1111
Twitter@ELAL
FacebookELAL.Airlines
Skytrax Rating★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Founded1948
Hubs
EL AL Hub Airports
Primary hub and focus city airports.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Very strong security procedures and reputation for safety
- ✓Non‑stop connectivity between Israel and key cities in Europe and North America
- ✓All‑kosher catering, appealing to many passengers observing dietary laws
- ✓Modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on many long‑haul routes
- ✓Matmid frequent flyer program with multiple elite tiers for regular travelers
Cons
- ✗Product consistency varies between newer 787s and older aircraft, especially on some 737 and 777 services
- ✗Reports of relatively tight Economy seating on certain aircraft compared with some competitors
- ✗Schedule and network are heavily focused on Israel, offering fewer connection options than large global alliance carriers
- ✗Fares on some routes can be higher than those of competing airlines, especially during peak travel periods
- ✗Limited participation in global alliances, which can reduce mileage earning and redemption options with partner airlines
