EL AL Matmid - EL-AL Economy Pros and Cons

Hi Guys,

I really want to discuss the Pros and Cons of EL-AL in terms in Economy Class. I have flown EL-AL for over 15 years now and 35 times and only 3 times in Business and First. So I have some questions for you...

1) Compared to other airlines, do you believe the seats are better or worse on EL-AL ?

2) Do you find that the crew can be alot more grumpy in Economy Class rather that Business or First Class on EL-AL ?

3) Even though EL-AL have apparantly re-vamped there Economy Class, do you think they could do more ?

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

5) Do you think the tickets for Economy are fairly priced ?

6) Do you believe that they are keeping to their comitment since 1996 'to perform above and beyond' quality ?

7) Do you think the service in Economy was better in the past with EL-AL ? e.g. 1990;s, 1980's, 1970's. If you can, note an experience with them.

Hi Guys,

I really want to discuss the Pros and Cons of EL-AL in terms in Economy Class. I have flown EL-AL for over 15 years now and 35 times and only 3 times in Business and First. So I have some questions for you...

1) Compared to other airlines, do you believe the seats are better or worse on EL-AL ?

2) Do you find that the crew can be alot more grumpy in Economy Class rather that Business or First Class on EL-AL ?

3) Even though EL-AL have apparantly re-vamped there Economy Class, do you think they could do more ?

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

5) Do you think the tickets for Economy are fairly priced ?

6) Do you believe that they are keeping to their comitment since 1996 'to perform above and beyond' quality ?

7) Do you think the service in Economy was better in the past with EL-AL ? e.g. 1990;s, 1980's, 1970's. If you can, note an experience with them.

i really don't understand what is your aim in this discussion ?
if 50 people will answer, you will get 50 opinions. and what will you do with that ?

most of your questions just lead to nothing. sorry. just my 2c.

Hi Guys,

I really want to discuss the Pros and Cons of EL-AL in terms in Economy Class. I have flown EL-AL for over 15 years now and 35 times and only 3 times in Business and First. So I have some questions for you...

1) Compared to other airlines, do you believe the seats are better or worse on EL-AL ?

2) Do you find that the crew can be alot more grumpy in Economy Class rather that Business or First Class on EL-AL ?

3) Even though EL-AL have apparantly re-vamped there Economy Class, do you think they could do more ?

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

5) Do you think the tickets for Economy are fairly priced ?

6) Do you believe that they are keeping to their comitment since 1996 'to perform above and beyond' quality ?

7) Do you think the service in Economy was better in the past with EL-AL ? e.g. 1990;s, 1980's, 1970's. If you can, note an experience with them.

1. Compared to most Asian airlines worse compared to others on par
2. No, I find them nice on all classes
3. Yes - AVOD in all classes
4. well not sure
5. No, they are very expensive compared to other companies
6. Yes in their FF club not on hard product
7. Cannot answer

1) Compared to other airlines, do you believe the seats are better or worse on EL-AL ?

2) Do you find that the crew can be alot more grumpy in Economy Class rather that Business or First Class on EL-AL ?

3) Even though EL-AL have apparantly re-vamped there Economy Class, do you think they could do more ?

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

5) Do you think the tickets for Economy are fairly priced ?

6) Do you believe that they are keeping to their comitment since 1996 'to perform above and beyond' quality ?

7) Do you think the service in Economy was better in the past with EL-AL ? e.g. 1990;s, 1980's, 1970's. If you can, note an experience with them.

1) Same.
2) The crew in economy is professional and friendly.
3) The only place they are lacking in Y is the entertainment system. AVOD is pretty standard today and LY doesn't have it.
4) Considering that their tickets are more pricey and that they don't have AVOD, adding 2 inches in Y would compensate somewhat and would probably be a good decision.
5) Way overpriced. The cost of a flexible, upgradeable ticket is ridiculous and the availability of cheaper non-flexible fares is extremely limited compared to other carriers.
6) The price structure and fuel surcharges but a major damper on the otherwise quality product.
7) In-flight service in Y is considerably better today than any time in the last 3 decades.

Hi Guys,

I really want to discuss the Pros and Cons of EL-AL in terms in Economy Class. I have flown EL-AL for over 15 years now and 35 times and only 3 times in Business and First. So I have some questions for you...

1) Compared to other airlines, do you believe the seats are better or worse on EL-AL ?


First - Worse (better or same as most business class seats)
Business - Worse
Economy - Same


2) Do you find that the crew can be alot more grumpy in Economy Class rather that Business or First Class on EL-AL ?

I definitely see them friendlier in F/C, but I wouldn't call them grumpier in Y. There's a certain level of service to be expected in Y (as opposed to F/C,) but it's definitely fine, and IMO, on par if not better than service on BA's WT.

3) Even though EL-AL have apparantly re-vamped there Economy Class, do you think they could do more ?

I'd like to see AVOD across the board in Y. Do they have winged headrests on the 737s? If not, I'd like to see that added. Other than that, they're fine (though my experience is more with 744 and 772).

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

Anytime any airline adds more legroom, seat width... or spends money, it's a "risk." IMO, it'd be worth it. Too many Americans refuse to fly LY, and stick to CO, DL, US, or flying via Canada, UK, and Europe, because they believe LY packs seats in like sardines. By adding a couple of inches, I think it'd go a long way to bring back many American customers (as well as other markets).

5) Do you think the tickets for Economy are fairly priced ?

Depends on the season. High season, no. Low season, sometimes very, other times, not so much.

6) Do you believe that they are keeping to their comitment since 1996 'to perform above and beyond' quality ?

I think we saw them really try that, and recently, somewhat taper off.

7) Do you think the service in Economy was better in the past with EL-AL ? e.g. 1990;s, 1980's, 1970's. If you can, note an experience with them.

Don't know

My comments added in red

i really don't understand what is your aim in this discussion ?
if 50 people will answer, you will get 50 opinions. and what will you do with that ?

most of your questions just lead to nothing. sorry. just my 2c.

He's just interested in hearing people's thoughts. Your response is somewhat harsh, especially for a younger FTer.

4) Do you think EL-AL could risk adding at least 2 inches of leg space in Economy ?

Anytime any airline adds more legroom, seat width... or spends money, it's a "risk." IMO, it'd be worth it. Too many Americans refuse to fly LY, and stick to CO, DL, US, or flying via Canada, UK, and Europe, because they believe LY packs seats in like sardines. By adding a couple of inches, I think it'd go a long way to bring back many American customers (as well as other markets).

This is absolutely incorrect. Why should LY consider adding 2 inches to their economy seating when they are already equivalent or more generous than other airlines as is. If anyone is uninformed about that, be it an American or otherwise, then they should get informed first before making travel decisions based on incorrect information. LY has 32" of legroom (i.e pitch) on all of their long-haul and short-haul aircraft except for the 767 on which they have 33"-34" and the 757 on which they have 31"-32". Most other airlines flying out of TLV with whom you can reach US shores provide either 31" or 32" so either the same or less than LY.

This includes US airlines such as US Airways, Continental, and Delta, and airlines which you can use with a European connection such as BA and Lufthansa.

I rarely fly Y these days so this is quite irrelevant for me but for other reasons I have stopped or greatly reduced my flying with LY - mainly ticket cost and whilst I can decide for myself how much to spend and who to fly with I cannot justify to myself the additional cost most of the time.

I'll bite..

1) I can't answer this question as I haven't flown with them in awhile (2006). I dont recall the seats being any better or worse (my most recent flights in 2010 were each with Delta and KLM and felt that their seats were poor....KLM I found to be painful. I will be flying LY next month, so I guess I can let you know then.

2) I shipped my parents recently in economy, and they felt the service was excellent. They went on and on, and on about it actually.

3)not sure what you mean- I thought I had heard that not all of their planes have updated AVOD (such as their Boeing 767-300 ) which means the experience would still have that 80's feel to it in terms of entertainment options..etc...

4) 2 inches would be nice for any airline I think.

5) Depends on where you are flying from. From JFK, I think they are sometimes reasonable...from YYZ, I find them (at times) to be more expensive than AC, which is odd considering AC has a better points program, and the inflight experience is great. True they dont have the security features that LY has, but the feeling is you get more bang for your buck.

6) Never heard of such a thing.

7) I only flew with them in the 90's and in the 00's and I felt that the experience got worse over time.