El Al Israel Airlines (ICAO: ELY) is the national flag carrier of Israel, known for its unique operational characteristics and stringent security measures.
El Al Israel Airlines was officially founded in November 1948, the same year the State of Israel was established. Its origins are deeply intertwined with the nation's need for an independent air bridge to connect with the rest of the world, initially facilitating the transport of Jewish immigrants and supplies. The airline's inaugural scheduled flights commenced in July 1949, connecting Tel Aviv with Rome and Paris. Throughout its history, El Al has played a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, including airlifting Jewish immigrants to Israel.
The airline's primary operational base and main hub is Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel. While it previously maintained secondary hubs at Eilat Airport (ETH) and Ovda Airport (VDA), El Al is now concentrating its Florida operations at Miami International Airport (MIA), positioning it as a key international hub.
El Al operates an all-Boeing fleet, comprising a mix of widebody and narrowbody jets. The current fleet includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners (787-8 and 787-9 variants), Boeing 777-200ERs, Boeing 737-800s, and Boeing 737-900ERs. Its route network is extensive, covering approximately 51 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, offering both short-haul and long-haul services.
El Al is not a member of any major airline alliance such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. However, it has established codeshare agreements with several airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Aeromexico, to expand its reach. There is a potential for El Al to join the SkyTeam alliance with support from Delta Air Lines, following a strategic cooperation agreement between the two carriers. Notable services include the provision of Kosher meals on all flights, and its cabin classes generally consist of Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class on widebody aircraft, while narrowbody planes offer Business and Economy.
Traveler reviews for El Al Israel Airlines reflect a mixed sentiment, highlighting both strong positive aspects and recurring areas of concern.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, traveler sentiment suggests that while El Al excels in certain aspects like cabin crew service and its distinct security approach, the airline often struggles with consistent customer service and providing a modern, comfortable experience across its entire fleet, leading to significant frustration among a segment of its passengers.
El Al Israel Airlines maintains a strong and highly regarded safety and security reputation globally. The airline is known for its stringent security measures, which are considered some of the most effective in the industry.
Its recent safety record is relatively flawless, with no serious incidents reported in recent years. Historically, El Al has experienced a few notable incidents. One was the successful hijacking of El Al Flight 426 in 1968, which was diverted to Algiers. Another significant event was the 1992 crash of El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747 freighter, due to engine separation after takeoff from Amsterdam, which resulted in fatalities on board and on the ground. More recent minor incidents include reports of tyre damage, steering failure, a burst tyre on landing, and bird strikes.
Regarding regulatory certifications, while specific listings for IOSA or FAA compliance were not explicitly found in the search results, El Al is consistently highlighted for its high safety standards and compliance. The airline's commitment to security includes operating aircraft equipped with anti-ballistic missile technology and employing air marshals on every flight.
El Al operates an all-Boeing fleet, which it continually updates. The airline aims to maintain a modern and efficient fleet to ensure safety and reliability. While some older Boeing 737-800s and 777-200ERs have average ages of around 17-18 years, the newer Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet is significantly younger, with average ages of 1.6 to 2.9 years for the 787-8s and 787-9s as of late 2021. The airline plans to expand its 787 and 737 fleets by 2028. Its exclusive use of Boeing aircraft may contribute to operational efficiencies in maintenance and training.
Based on available data, the overall safety assessment for El Al Israel Airlines is very positive. It is frequently ranked among the world's safest airlines due to its exceptional security protocols and generally good safety record. While specific safety awards or recognitions were not explicitly detailed in the provided search results, the airline's reputation for robust security and consistent safety performance is widely acknowledged.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
86 | 761 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LCA → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
69 | 211 mi | UNKNOWN | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TBS → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
63 | 869 mi | UNKNOWN | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → JFK |
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
|
58 | 5743 mi | B788 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → BKK |
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
|
54 | 4321 mi | 777 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LGG → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
49 | 1976 mi | A30B | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → LTN |
London Luton
London
|
45 | 2240 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BUD → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
42 | 1347 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TIV → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
38 | 1141 mi | UNKNOWN | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → EWR |
Newark Liberty Intl
Newark
|
37 | 5758 mi | B789 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
35 | 2060 mi | B739 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| TLV → CDG |
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
|
35 | 2043 mi | B739 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CDG → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
34 | 2043 mi | B772 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| ATH → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
33 | 742 mi | 73F | Nov 29, 2025 |
| OTP → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
33 | 990 mi | B739 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MXP → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
30 | 1683 mi | B738 | Dec 2, 2025 |
| SKG → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
29 | 886 mi | UNKNOWN | Oct 26, 2025 |
| TLV → LAX |
Los Angeles Intl
Los Angeles
|
29 | 7674 mi | B789 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| FRA → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
28 | 1837 mi | 73F | Oct 15, 2025 |
| ETM → TLV |
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
|
28 | 158 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| TLV → DXB |
Dubai Int'l
Dubai
|
24 | 1326 mi | 787 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TLV → ATH |
Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens
|
23 | 742 mi | 73F | Nov 30, 2025 |
| TLV → MAD |
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas
Madrid
|
21 | 2204 mi | B739 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| TLV → LCA |
Larnaca Int'l
Larnaca
|
20 | 211 mi | B738 | Nov 30, 2025 |
| TLV → FCO |
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
|
20 | 1417 mi | B739 | Dec 8, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.