El Al

El Al

ICAO: ELY IATA: LY Active Jun 22, 2026
123
Routes
2630
Flights
62
Destinations
61
Origins

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2046

Avg Route Distance (mi)

7922

Longest Route (mi)

4

Domestic Routes

96

International Routes

About El Al

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

Traveler reviews for El Al Israel Airlines reflect a mixed sentiment, highlighting both strong positive aspects and recurring areas of concern.

What Travelers Love:

  • Cabin Crew: Many passengers commend the cabin crew for being professional, attentive, friendly, and very helpful, especially in accommodating specific needs.
  • In-flight meals: El Al is recognized for offering excellent Kosher culinary delights, which are often highly valued by travelers.
  • Security Measures: The airline's stringent security protocols are widely appreciated, contributing to a strong sense of safety and security among passengers.
  • Overall Service Improvement: Some recent reviews indicate an improvement in the overall flight experience, with flights departing on time and good food.

Common Complaints:

  • Customer Service: This is a frequent area of dissatisfaction, with numerous reports of unresponsiveness, extremely long wait times, difficulties contacting representatives via various platforms, and issues with refunds or changing flights.
  • Cramped Seating/Outdated In-flight Entertainment: Especially on longer flights or older aircraft, passengers have reported cramped seating and outdated or limited in-flight entertainment systems, making journeys feel longer and less comfortable.
  • Check-in and Boarding Process: The check-in process has been described as chaotic and time-consuming, with some complaints about intrusive security questioning or issues with family seating arrangements, particularly when traveling with infants.
  • Flight Cancellations/Changes: There are complaints regarding flight cancellations without adequate prior notice or compensation, and difficulties in modifying bookings.

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.

Safety Information

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.

Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

TBS → TLV
Tbilisi International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
869 miles
159 flights
B738
BUS → TLV
Batumi International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
761 miles
127 flights
UNKNOWN
LCA → TLV
Larnaca International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
211 miles
96 flights
B738
TLV → JFK
Ben Gurion International Airport → John F Kennedy Intl
5794 miles
92 flights
B789
LGG → TLV
Liège Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
2333 miles
81 flights
B744
TLV → BKK
Ben Gurion International Airport → Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
4321 miles
74 flights
B788
TLV → EWR
Ben Gurion International Airport → Newark Liberty Intl
5875 miles
73 flights
B789
TLV → CDG
Ben Gurion International Airport → Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
2043 miles
69 flights
B788
ETM → TLV
Ramon International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
158 miles
63 flights
B738
TLV → AMS
Ben Gurion International Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
2060 miles
55 flights
B772

Top Destinations

TLV (LLBG)
Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
1419 flights
60 routes
JFK (KJFK)
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
92 flights
1 route
BKK (VTBS)
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
74 flights
1 route
EWR (KEWR)
Newark Liberty Intl
Newark
73 flights
1 route
CDG (LFPG)
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
69 flights
1 route
AMS (EHAM)
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
55 flights
1 route
LAX (KLAX)
Los Angeles Intl
Los Angeles
50 flights
1 route
LTN (EGGW)
London Luton
London
48 flights
1 route
TBS (UGTB)
Tbilisi Int'l
Tbilisi
39 flights
1 route
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
38 flights
3 routes

Top Origin Airports

TLV (LLBG)
Ben Gurion International Airport
Tel Aviv
1190 flights
60 routes
TBS (UGTB)
Tbilisi International Airport
Tbilisi
159 flights
1 route
BUS (UGSB)
Batumi International Airport
Batumi
127 flights
1 route
LGG (EBLG)
Liège Airport
Grâce-Hollogne
99 flights
2 routes
LCA (LCLK)
Larnaca International Airport
Larnaca
96 flights
1 route
ETM (LLER)
Ramon International Airport
Eilat
63 flights
1 route
BUD (LHBP)
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport
Budapest
54 flights
1 route
CDG (LFPG)
Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise)
50 flights
2 routes
EWR (KEWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark
46 flights
1 route
OTP (LROP)
Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport
Otopeni
41 flights
1 route

Top Border Crossing Flights

TLV (LLBG)
Ben Gurion International Airport
Tel Aviv, IL
1419 flights
60 routes
JFK (KJFK)
John F Kennedy International Airport
New York, US
92 flights
1 route
BKK (VTBS)
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok, TH
74 flights
1 route
EWR (KEWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark, US
73 flights
1 route
CDG (LFPG)
Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Paris, FR
69 flights
1 route
AMS (EHAM)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam, NL
55 flights
1 route
LAX (KLAX)
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, US
50 flights
1 route
LTN (EGGW)
London Luton Airport
London, GB
48 flights
1 route

Airports Served by El Al 64

64 airports shown

Longest Routes

LAX → TLV
Los Angeles International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
7922 mi
TLV → LAX
Ben Gurion International Airport → Los Angeles Intl
7657 mi
FLL → TLV
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
6720 mi
TLV → FLL
Ben Gurion International Airport → Fort Lauderdale Intl
6677 mi
TLV → MIA
Ben Gurion International Airport → Miami Intl
6677 mi

Shortest Routes

LGG → FRA
Liège Airport → Frankfurt Int'l
143 mi
ETM → TLV
Ramon International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
158 mi
TLV → ETM
Ben Gurion International Airport → Ramon Airport
158 mi
TLV → LCA
Ben Gurion International Airport → Larnaca Int'l
211 mi
LCA → TLV
Larnaca International Airport → Ben Gurion Int'l
211 mi

All Routes

123 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
TBS → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
159 869 mi B738 Jun 22, 2026
BUS → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
127 761 mi UNKNOWN May 9, 2026
LCA → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
96 211 mi B738 Jun 20, 2026
TLV → JFK John F Kennedy Intl
New York
92 5794 mi B789 Jun 3, 2026
LGG → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
81 2333 mi B744 Jun 10, 2026
TLV → BKK Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
74 4321 mi B788 May 28, 2026
TLV → EWR Newark Liberty Intl
Newark
73 5875 mi B789 Jun 4, 2026
TLV → CDG Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
69 2043 mi B788 Jun 15, 2026
ETM → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
63 158 mi B738 Mar 12, 2026
TLV → AMS Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
55 2060 mi B772 May 29, 2026
BUD → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
54 1347 mi B738 Jun 22, 2026
TLV → LAX Los Angeles Intl
Los Angeles
50 7657 mi B789 Jun 15, 2026
CDG → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
49 2043 mi B739 Jun 20, 2026
TLV → LTN London Luton
London
48 2240 mi B738 May 28, 2026
EWR → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
46 5685 mi B789 Jun 20, 2026
OTP → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
41 990 mi B739 Jun 15, 2026
MXP → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
39 1683 mi B739 Jun 22, 2026
TLV → TBS Tbilisi Int'l
Tbilisi
39 869 mi B738 May 29, 2026
FRA → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
38 1837 mi B739 Jun 20, 2026
TIV → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
38 1141 mi UNKNOWN May 9, 2026
ATH → TLV Ben Gurion Int'l
Tel Aviv
38 742 mi B739 Jun 22, 2026
TLV → ATH Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens
35 742 mi B738 May 29, 2026
TLV → LCA Larnaca Int'l
Larnaca
32 211 mi UNKNOWN May 28, 2026
TLV → ETM Ramon Airport
Eilat
30 158 mi B738 Mar 10, 2026
TLV → LGG Liege
Liege
30 1976 mi A30B Jun 8, 2026
Data Information:

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.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Jun 22, 2026 00:01
Coverage: Observed routes only