EL AL Matmid - Moshe Segev: "El Al Has Best First Class Breakfast In The World"

משה שגב: "יש לאל על את ארוחת הבוקר הטובה מכל חברות התעופה בעולם" (http://www.passportnews.co.il/one_news.asp?ID=6431)

Sorry, but I only found this in Hebrew. Having recently flown Etihad Airways, I found this statement to be extremely over the top. I haven't had the new menu, but how does El Al compete in first class with airlines that have a private chef who will make you fresh eggs the way you like on demand?

Israelis tend to be very patriotic when it comes to El Al. As a Jewish person, I can understand how one wants to think their country's product is the best however El Al is sorely lacking in in-flight service. El Al's product to me is on par with what a flag carrier offered 10-15 years ago.

umm, well, I think Israeli breakfast is the best kind of breakfast.

El Al does have a better breakfast than CO/UA now (comparing LY C to CO J which is now the same as UA 'F'). If LY is able to do a proper israeli breakfast, shakshuka (with fresh Eggs added before re-heating), fresh squeezed juice, and chopped salads with the cheeses, sure, I'd say they have a good shot.

Alas, Breakfast probably has the best relative chance of beating other airlines.

The new First Class breakfast (introduced in June) really is very impressive, although there are no freshly cooked eggs available (possibly a kashrut issue?) and I would suggest that the cheeses they supply, which are supposed to be matured, are (in typical Israeli fashion) hugely under-ripe. I have not yet had time to send a formal feedback report to them, but I do intend to do so.

One thing I will add is that when they moved the First Class meal service to an economy class style tray service a few years ago, I complained about it to the highest levels of management, but to no avail. All I was told was that 'this is what the customers want'. Which customers? I have no idea. It is about time that they came to their senses before they managed to destroy the product completely. Maybe they will now begin to understand that their customers would also prefer proper First Class seats ...

Having recently flown Etihad Airways, I found this statement to be extremely over the top.
Israelis tend to be very patriotic when it comes to El Al. As a Jewish person, I can understand how one wants to think their country's product is the bestWhile the new breakfast might be great (haven't tried it myself but I'll go with what mikebg said) you guys do realise this statement came from the chef who actually created it? hardly surprising then is it?

El Al's product to me is on par with what a flag carrier offered 10-15 years ago.Indeed.

I haven't tried an El Al F breakfast in a while, but it might be possible it's the best Kosher breakfast in the world on an airplane.

I agree with entropy, that Israeli breakfasts (especially those offered in some of our upscale hotels) are absolutely the best in the world. Too bad El Al doesn't reflect that in the air.

One thing I will add is that when they moved the First Class meal service to an economy class style tray service a few years ago, I complained about it to the highest levels of management, but to no avail. All I was told was that 'this is what the customers want'. Which customers? I have no idea. It is about time that they came to their senses before they managed to destroy the product completely. Maybe they will now begin to understand that their customers would also prefer proper First Class seats ...

I like how he says that the new breakfast is twice the cost of the old. Twice crap is still crap in my opinion, but I won't judge until I try. I still have a few matmid points to burn through so perhaps I'll give it a go for the next NY trip.

I like how he says that the new breakfast is twice the cost of the old.

I missed that point, but it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. EL AL downgraded almost all aspects of the First Class meal service starting about 6-7 years ago. I knew at the time what a pittance they were paying per meal, and it really was a disgrace.

Maybe, when they upgrade the other meals in line with the breakfast they will start to serve some of Israel's better wine offerings as well. There is plenty of good stuff out there (there is even some excellent LBV kosher Port - albeit not Israeli). Some of us remember the days of Castel Grand Vin and 'C' Chardonnay won EL AL the 'Best Wine in First Class' award from Business Traveller a few years ago ...

It was actually El Al who introduced me to Castel - I've been buying it regularly ever since. Come to think of it, it was also BA who introduced me to the Taittinger champagne. I guess I get all my wine recomendations from airlines.

It was actually El Al who introduced me to Castel - I've been buying it regularly ever since. Come to think of it, it was also BA who introduced me to the Taittinger champagne. I guess I get all my wine recomendations from airlines.

Very interesting, as it was EL AL who introduced me to the Dalton Fume Blanc as well!

Can someone give more detail on the type of menu offered? I am looking at booking and wanted to compare with British Airways (carrier I am leaning towards).

I have been many times in Israel, but I still don't understand what a typical Israeli breakfast looks like.
Can anybody enlighten me please?

Can anybody enlighten me please?With pleasure...

Israeli breakfast

http://www.calcalist.co.il/PicServer2/20122005/98913/AL-031209-CALCALIEST133593_.jpg

Israeli helping himself at an hotel breakfast buffet:

http://www.gokids.net/files/11464319xo3.jpg

Israeli helping himself at an hotel breakfast buffet:

http://www.gokids.net/files/11464319xo3.jpg

:D

Can someone give more detail on the type of menu offered? I am looking at booking and wanted to compare with British Airways (carrier I am leaning towards).

TBH, I find the breakfast on BA to be the one part of the service that is somewhat lacking (in business). In F out of London it's quite good.

TBH, I find the breakfast on BA to be the one part of the service that is somewhat lacking (in business). In F out of London it's quite good.

If breakfast service on the plane is most important to you go with El Al. BA is like eating at a McDonalds with exception that food is plated and not as hot.

If breakfast service on the plane is most important to you go with El Al. BA is like eating at a McDonalds with exception that food is plated and not as hot.

It's not really that important and certainly wouldn't drive me to fly LY.

It's not really that important and certainly wouldn't drive me to fly LY.

It wouldnt for me either, but the OP seemed to be interested specifically with breakfast, which out of all the things LY doesnt do so well in F with is one thing that is positive compared to BA. Also, and only when flying out of TLV, the LY F lounge is better than all other airlines as they must use the DAN lounge.

the LY F lounge is better than all other airlines as they must use the DAN lounge.Which does have a First section, though it's nothing to write home about.

Which does have a First section, though it's nothing to write home about.

Thats for certain. The LY lounge has showers and much more space than the DAN lounge, but of course comparing the LY lounge to the BA lounge products or that of most other airlines.