What was your concept on traveling from one point to another by air ?. For most of us it was probably get me there by the cheapest available means. For some it was possibly get me there by the most comfortable means.
Did any of us really think deeply about getting there in one piece?
The ... Read review
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Advantages: High security, Proven track record Disadvantages: Lengthy interrogatios, Stringent bag and body checks, Time consuming
...discontinuing flights to some destinations. El Al, the national airline of Israel, is one airline that has not been faced with these problems and is infact doing more business than usual.
El Al has always been many a security conscious individuals choice. However in recent times emphasis on the word “security” has been prominent in the minds of all persons, especially those that need to travel by air.
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I had traveled with El Al once from a flight from London to Tel Aviv. This was in 1999. My purpose of visiting Israel was to have a meeting with a company from whom we were purchasing goods from.
You are instructed to arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 hours before departure time and are eventually subjected to a barrage of questions, some of which you might expect and many you might not. This interrogation can last as long as ... more
What was your concept on traveling from one point to another by air ?. For most of us it was probably get me there by the cheapest available means. For some it was possibly get me there by the most comfortable means. Did any of us really think deeply about getting there in one piece?
The recent turn of events (which I will not go into but of which we are all aware) has drastically changed our psychology and thinking of air travel.
Many travelers are now finding other means of travel and many are just giving up on the idea of traveling altogether.
Most airline companies are going through extremely troubled times, due to this phenomena, and are laying of workers, reducing flights and discontinuing flights to some destinations. El Al, the national airline of Israel, is one airline that has not been faced with these problems and is infact doing more business than usual.
El Al has always been many a security conscious individuals choice. However in recent times emphasis on the word “security” has been prominent in the minds of all persons, especially those that need to travel by air.
El Al’s record speaks for itself. They have never had a security threat to the airline and never sustained an innocent causality with relation to the airline. This has been due totally to the high security measures taken by them.
I had traveled with El Al once from a flight from London to Tel Aviv. This was in 1999. My purpose of visiting Israel was to have a meeting with a company from whom we were purchasing goods from.
You are instructed to arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 hours before departure time and are eventually subjected to a barrage of questions, some of which you might expect and many you might not. This interrogation can last as long as 45 minutes to an hour. Mine took just 15 – 20 minutes if I remember correctly.
Your hand luggage is re-checked by El Al personnel (probably Israeli Security Service personnel) before you can board the aircraft. This is inspite of your baggage having previously been screened by the regular airport security machines or personnel.
Even on the flight itself the cabin crew, prior to take-off, may ask you a few more questions.
On arrival at Tel-Aviv I was interrogated for one hour as to the purpose of my visit to Israel. Believe you me this was some torturous and sometime humiliating experience. I will not delve too much into this since it does not concern the airline.
I swore at that time that I would never travel with El Al again and definitely never go to Israel again. However now my thinking is different especially with regards to El Al.
The flights themselves are of an acceptable level though not exceptional. The cabin crew is efficient but do not expect a “Singapore Airlines” type of service. You are provided with the basic services like a meal, in-flight movie and music channels. One thing that I had noticed was that you could sort of feel the tension in the air. It is something that cannot be explained and understood unless you are actually there.
Two of my associates and friends continue to travel to Israel and with El Al and based on my conversations with them I understand that the service has improved considerably. They have also procured new aircraft (the Boeing 777 being one of them) and this itself is a significant improvement since the type of aircraft is one of the major contributors to your comfort i.e. bigger seats, more legroom and less noise.
They have also now introduced a Frequent Flier Programme. El Al network is restricted only to the United States and Europe. They do not fly directly to any other continent. They are also one of the few airlines that continue to offer three classes on most of their flights i.e. First, Business and Economy.
Overall I think we shall hear a lot more about El Al in the future. If you are considering traveling and if there is an El Al flight available for that sector, I strongly urge you to take it, irrespective of the price. Your life is worth more.
Finally you can check schedules, fares and other information on there website at: www.elal.co.il
Advantages: Best security in the world, cockpits have impenetrable doors Disadvantages: Prices a tad deer, you may be interrogated!
...due to Sept 11th etc, El Al is no exception and in these bleak times lets just say there aren’t too many people travelling to Israel, major exception being the devout and the odd businessman. So when I decided to book a one-year trip to Israel for study purposes EL Al was my first and only choice.
Why you ask? Well the security is the toughest in the world, most airlines have the usual X-ray scan and a woman at the desk checking the passports and ... ...El Al vets every passenger 24 hrs before they depart and profiles them accordingly. You have to check in three hours before flight departure. Three sets of security officers ask you questions before the flight such as ‘did you pack your own bags?’, ‘have your bags left your sight at any time?’, if you look remotely suspicious you’ll get receive the full monty and a barrage of questions asking reasons why or with whom you are travelling to Israel, ...
gideon 04.05.2003 (09.05.2003)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of EL AL
Advantages: Security, service, polite and understanding staff, good piloting Disadvantages: Prices are a bit high, sometimes flights tend to be depart late
I've been flying El Al for many years, to various destinations. They are a great airline, and they have improved dramatically over the last 5-10 years.
Firstly, there's the security. El Al didn't introduce its security measures after 9/11, it did that way back ago. The security is tight, but I don't agree with the other reviewers claiming the interview is long and tiring (perhaps that's because I'm an Israeli citizen and I am used to flying with ... ...your expression. That being said, El Al doesn't do any of the draconian security measures you have with other airlines, especially American airlines: you can take drinks and liquids on board, you don't have to get your shoes inspected (depends on the airport, most don't) and all in all, the security check itself (X-Rays and such) take much less than other airlines.
After you've done with the interview, you proceed and board the aircraft. If you're ...
shift_19 11.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of EL AL
Advantages: Secure, kosher food Disadvantages: Long queues for check-in
...a number of occasions with EL AL, over a number of years, and have found that the quality of the service is improving. I have little doubt that they are one of the most security aware airlines around and that is one of the key reasons I have chosen to fly with them. I also think that the in-flight service has improved, with staff becoming more polite and better quality, and selection of, food on offer.
Pointers from my own experiences with EL AL:
... ...not yet been on an EL AL flight when I've not bumped into someone I know. Just accept it as part of the experience.
* If you want something, do as everyone else does and go forward and ask, but BE POLITE! I think the crew appreciate this and will tend to be more helpful.
All in all, I throughly recommend EL AL. ...
marcb 21.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of EL AL
Advantages: Good service Disadvantages: Overbooking
El Al have been improving their service in the last few years, and cabi crew attitudes are now excellent in most of their flights (as opposed to the past when it was: "sit down and shut up, I'm busy').
The flights from London tend to be heavilly overbooked (the airline books many more seats than it actually has, because not all passengers show up to flights). Inevitably this means that in some flights passengers are asked if they are willing to ... ...are always people willing to do so).
Even if almost everybody boards the flight in the end it can be a very stressful experience, waiting till the last minute to know if you have a seat available, even though you paid a full fair ticket.
There are several things you can do to prevent this:
a. It is a little known fact that you can reserve your seats on the flight (travel agents do not proactively encourage you to do so). ElAl start allocating ...
edagan 06.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of EL AL
El Al is unquestionably a high-security airline, as you will discover as soon as you check in. They will want to know everything about you and about your purpose in going to Israel (if that is your destination). On the way out of Israel, an even more extensive grilling awaits you. At least you can rest assured that everything possible has been done to avoid the terrorist threat. On board, the service is friendly. The food on my flight (1 hour and ... ...I thought it was all right for a short flight. Even on the short flights a choice of English and Israeli music is available, and a video is shown. (It was an American comedy serial on my flight.) All in all, not a bad experience, although the pre-flight interrogation is intrusive and reminiscent of a visit to a psychiatrist. ...
johnpaul1968 16.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of EL AL
Advantages: Great County to visit Disadvantages: none
Of Jerusalem which have the Wall of the destroyed Temple. Again
This city is extremely coloful due to the mix culutre of the Arabs who live there and the Ortodox Jews and The Yeshiva(highely Religious School for Clegies).
Recomended cities to visit:
Eilat The south corner of Israel.
Nathania Beach city.
Bersheva, the door for the south corner and the Negev Desert.
Book your flight today with El-Al Israeli Airlines and enjoy the most powerful sites that you ever seen in your life. ...
iloveyou01 02.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Israel: General
Advantages: Good fares .. More room to stretch out .. Disadvantages: Strange food or no alcohol ..!
How many of us have thought of flying Air India to Toronto? Kuwait Airways or ElAl to New York ..?
Aeroflot to Australia ..?
Its not just the "big boys" such as BA or Virgin that fly to these destinations and hundreds of other places.
The advantage of flying less well known airlines to very well known destinations are price, more availability at peak times and not least, lots more space to stretch out (most of the time).
Researching different airlines on popular routes is time consuming and a lot of hassle so my advice is to find yourself a good old fashioned travel agent, you know the sort, cup of coffee on the desk and a battered old airline route guide to hand. Access to computerised airline reservation systems is an added bonus and will save them phone calls to the individual airlines concerned to check availability.
These ...
Joeyruss 10.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Economy Class
Advantages: hot weather Disadvantages: violence between jews and arabs
you will have a nightmare. The national airline El- Al only flies from London Heathrow. That means that if you live in Scotland it will cost you at least £100 to start with! ...
somebodyrandom 03.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Israel: General
