EL AL Matmid - elal 747-400 ly8 tlv-jfk seats w/baby

DH and I are flying tlv-jfk with our 17 month old. I'm a bit nervous about not having a seat for him and having to keep him occupied the whole way
- There is no way to book a middle isle exit because these are reserved for families w/babies under 9 months.

I was told I COULD request it at the airport but probably won't get it - other option is to request "premium seats" and pay $100 each- so seems like parents w/babies over 9 months but over 2 only get these seats if they pay.. Is that the policy

we have row 35 window & middle - from the seating chart looks like the window seat has extra leg room since there's no seat in front of it. so we're hoping we'll have a little wiggle room

the other seats I see available are the 2 only seat rows all the way in the back 57-60.. Can anyone tell me pro/con of either location?

One final question - we booked on the lowest fare class (still $2500 for 2+baby) and we're regular matmid . Is there any way to ask for (with payment) to be bumped to business? It's not available online for my flight. I really would only pay for an upgrade to business since I think it's the only true upgrade that's worth shelling out for on a TA flight

and I don't really see the value of paying $150 for "economy plus" :td: seems like a crappy deal - correct me if I'm wrong


Flight back is ly008 and seems completely booked - we have 46h middle and isle - elal agent I spoke with said these are "great seats" - even seemed quite surprised I was able to choose them online (?) not sure why seem standard to me. On this flight only other seats available are way in back with the 2 per row 57-60

The best experience I've had with this leg was BA but we didn't want to do stops w/baby. Last time we flew ElAl he was only 8 months and we had a basinette so it was ok.

Quite honestly, I spent the better part of an hour reading people's comments :eek: on their facebook wall and am starting to rethink booking w/elal over delta - although last time we flew this on delta the plane was OLD and no screen in each seat (3 years ago)

Thanks for the help!

the other seats I see available are the 2 only seat rows all the way in the back 57-60.. Can anyone tell me pro/con of either location?

The first row in the back with the 2 seats (row 57 I assume), I find great, as you have a nice space between your seat and the window where to place your hand luggage, it feels spacious.

The first row in the back with the 2 seats (row 57 I assume), I find great, as you have a nice space between your seat and the window where to place your hand luggage, it feels spacious.

I think I may change this from 46 to 57 for the return flight - I'll take a walk on the plane this leg and see what it's about.


for the first leg, our current seat 35 seems as if it has extra leg room for the window seat since there is no seat in front of it (exit) -

so if it indeed has extra leg room for very tall DH I would prefer that. Still agent I spoke w/just said these are great seats and was surprised I got them - but didn't mention if there is any extra leg room...

I was hoping some of you frequenter :p flyers might know

I think I may change this from 46 to 57 for the return flight - I'll take a walk on the plane this leg and see what it's about.

I would be suprised if row 57 is still avalibale close to departure.
GHow long after your outbound flight is your return?


For the first leg, our current seat 35 seems as if it has extra leg room for the window seat since there is no seat in front of it (exit) -

A passenger with a baby won't be allowed in the window seat in row 35, can anybody confirm that a baby is allowed in the middle seat?

Still agent I spoke w/just said these are great seats and was surprised I got them - but didn't mention if there is any extra leg room...

I was hoping some of you frequenter :p flyers might know

According to seat Guru this seems to be nonesense. He might be confused with row 45.
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/El_Al/El_Al_Boeing_747-400.php

I would be suprised if row 57 is still avalibale close to departure.
GHow long after your outbound flight is your return?




A passenger with a baby won't be allowed in the window seat in row 35, can anybody confirm that a baby is allowed in the middle seat?



According to seat Guru this seems to be nonesense. He might be confused with row 45.
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/El_Al/El_Al_Boeing_747-400.php

As far as the 35 - she didn't mention any problem with baby. DH would be sitting there - are you saying he won't be able to hold him? I thought the restrictions for babies were only for exit rows not the rows behind.


row 46 - I thought it was nonsense too.. she said - how did you get these seats (on both legs) saying there is extra room... I wasn't going to argue since there was nothing she was going to do as far as moving me anyway. Maybe it's just a feel good strategy they say to all pax calling about seats.. :rolleyes:

As far as the seats being available on the first leg, it's a day flight and most of the back of the plane looks open. The return flight is night time and I just rechecked and 57 wasn't available (was probably my confusion) the plane is nearly all booked as usual with night flights from NY. We're coming back in a month.


Thanks for your help!

even if 34 appears to be "the" exit row, if 35A is adjacent to the exit because there is no 34A in front of it, wouldn't 35A be considered exit row, too (or could be considered that way, too, if you think about long and hard enough...).

I'd call and move seats now rather than potentially run into a situation where it's a mes on board because you were assigned that seat but can't sit there. (That is, unless someone on here knows for certain whether or not babies are allowed in that seat...)

I was told I COULD request it at the airport but probably won't get it - other option is to request "premium seats" and pay $100 each- so seems like parents w/babies over 9 months but over 2 only get these seats if they pay.. Is that the policy
It could be the policy but if the flight is full with folks with parents+ kids, they may not end up enforcing it.


we have row 35 window & middle - from the seating chart looks like the window seat has extra leg room since there's no seat in front of it. so we're hoping we'll have a little wiggle room

the other seats I see available are the 2 only seat rows all the way in the back 57-60.. Can anyone tell me pro/con of either location?

Its says its a bulkhead...so it should be somewhat more spacious.. Your husband should be o.k. Row 57 also looks good because you have some empty space to your right, and it would only be the 2 seats which would be easier for you to navigate, rather than sitting with a window and middle seat in 35, and not having the option to get up to aisle without asking someone to get up.
http://www.elal.co.il/NR/rdonlyres/281CE28E-26C9-4E11-9C64-E51C30CB9FB9/0/Plane747400.swf


One final question - we booked on the lowest fare class (still $2500 for 2+baby) and we're regular matmid . Is there any way to ask for (with payment) to be bumped to business? It's not available online for my flight. I really would only pay for an upgrade to business since I think it's the only true upgrade that's worth shelling out for on a TA flight


and I don't really see the value of paying $150 for "economy plus" :td: seems like a crappy deal - correct me if I'm wrong


They may have the option to upgrade for cash at the airport or beforehand (via calling) if its not already all booked. Have you checked online to see if there are any available seats on the flight?

I dont know if economy plus is crappy per se, it just depends on what your needs are. We have some photos online here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/el-al-matmid/1348748-ly-premium-economy-arrived-3.html)that you can look at it. Its more leg room, but not much else. I liked it, but I was flying solo.



even if 34 appears to be "the" exit row, if 35A is adjacent to the exit because there is no 34A in front of it, wouldn't 35A be considered exit row, too (or could be considered that way, too, if you think about long and hard enough...).

I'd call and move seats now rather than potentially run into a situation where it's a mes on board because you were assigned that seat but can't sit there. (That is, unless someone on here knows for certain whether or not babies are allowed in that seat...)
I hear what your saying. Im not sure its a good idea though to give up the seats, without something else available thats equally as good considering they are flying with a kid.

seats 35A and 35K are reserved for parents with babies. they will give it for infants if the other two options rows with the basinette (how the hell you spell it) are occupied, or the baby is over 9 months. the 3rd row with a basinette is now economy plus.

so if you got 35A,K you should feel lucky ! those are premuim seats that other people pay 99$ for it, and hard to get. you get extra room there.

about business - you have zero chances to be "bumped up" especially 2 pax with a baby (people in biz pay $$$$ to have a quite trip... sorry...)
you could pay at the airport 700$ per person for an upgrade if seats available. but you could have also just booked a seat for the infant !
i would sugget a strategy - take 2 seats with a space in between. if you get lucky, you'll have an extra seat... if not - you can ask that person to move one seat aside so you'll be together again.

the rows 57,57 etc with 2 seats at the sides are crappy in my book. the window seat is far away from the window, so you cannot even lean on it to sleep ! bad bad bad.

seats 35A and 35K are reserved for parents with babies. they will give it for infants if the other two options rows with the basinette (how the hell you spell it) are occupied, or the baby is over 9 months. the 3rd row with a basinette is now economy plus.

so if you got 35A,K you should feel lucky ! those are premuim seats that other people pay 99$ for it, and hard to get. you get extra room there.


Are you sure about that? I'm very suprised as other airlines never let a passenger with an infant sit next to the exit's, as this is a safety hazard because it would hinder them to operate the emergency exit

seats 35A and 35K are reserved for parents with babies. they will give it for infants if the other two options rows with the basinette (how the hell you spell it) are occupied, or the baby is over 9 months. the 3rd row with a basinette is now economy plus.

Thanks for this - I hope that's the case since DH is 6'3 and could really use the space.. Shame that they converted the basinette to economy plus since there are SO many parents w/babies on ElAl flights.

so if you got 35A,K you should feel lucky ! those are premuim seats that other people pay 99$ for it, and hard to get. you get extra room there.

Guess what the rep on the phone meant for the 35 seats. Not sure what she meant for the return flight at row 46 though. Anyone care to venture a guess?


about business - you have zero chances to be "bumped up" especially 2 pax with a baby (people in biz pay $$$$ to have a quite trip... sorry...)
you could pay at the airport 700$ per person for an upgrade if seats available. but you could have also just booked a seat for the infant !
i would sugget a strategy - take 2 seats with a space in between. if you get lucky, you'll have an extra seat... if not - you can ask that person to move one seat aside so you'll be together again.

WADR, I think if more babies traveled business, there would be a lot less crying going on :) - more room to lay on parent and sleep quietly for longer periods of time. Last time we flew with DS the leg back we booked business and it was a dream! True when we first boarded we got the evil eye from some folks :rolleyes: especially since they put us UPSTAIRS ... but 10 and a half hours later and the most noise in the cabin the entire flight was by the older couple sitting to the left of us SNORING their noses off... :p


the rows 57,57 etc with 2 seats at the sides are crappy in my book. the window seat is far away from the window, so you cannot even lean on it to sleep ! bad bad bad.

Yea I'm still mixed on that - I really like the privacy of a 2 seater, but I'm also worried about being all the way in the back with all the passing traffic and congregating that goes on..

It could be the policy but if the flight is full with folks with parents+ kids, they may not end up enforcing it.



Its says its a bulkhead...so it should be somewhat more spacious.. Your husband should be o.k. Row 57 also looks good because you have some empty space to your right, and it would only be the 2 seats which would be easier for you to navigate, rather than sitting with a window and middle seat in 35, and not having the option to get up to aisle without asking someone to get up.
http://www.elal.co.il/NR/rdonlyres/281CE28E-26C9-4E11-9C64-E51C30CB9FB9/0/Plane747400.swf



They may have the option to upgrade for cash at the airport or beforehand (via calling) if its not already all booked. Have you checked online to see if there are any available seats on the flight?

I dont know if economy plus is crappy per se, it just depends on what your needs are. We have some photos online here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/el-al-matmid/1348748-ly-premium-economy-arrived-3.html)that you can look at it. Its more leg room, but not much else. I liked it, but I was flying solo.


I hear what your saying. Im not sure its a good idea though to give up the seats, without something else available thats equally as good considering they are flying with a kid.


Thanks for the photos! I'm starting to feel claustrophobic already :p and this is the 'upgraded' class..

On this first leg, from the seating chart, it looks like there are many many seats available, maybe 25% of the coach seating - which is a lot I think - but then again I only ever flew overnights - I think the daytime flights are a lot less cramped. I also checked online on some tool and it says there are at least 9 business seats available.

We're probably just gonna grin and bear it - hope for the best and all. After all, we're not the first parents traveling w/baby :D just seems so dramatic when it's you and your baby (before having DS I realized it was tough for parents, but never truly appreciated just how tough..)


Thanks everyone for the help.

BTW - have you guys read some of the nasty posts and unanswered complaints on elal's facebook page?? one after another - it goes on and on... Seems like their service is not only getting more expensive but also less and less of a service..

BTW - have you guys read some of the nasty posts and unanswered complaints on elal's facebook page?? one after another - it goes on and on... Seems like their service is not only getting more expensive but also less and less of a service..

As far as social media is concerned they really and truly haven't a clue... :td:

As far as travelling with them, well you always have a choice...

By the way, on BA you would be allowed to pick the bassinet from the time of booking as your child is under 2 (albeit you would have to make a stop at LHR).

As far as social media is concerned they really and truly haven't a clue... :td:

As far as travelling with them, well you always have a choice...

By the way, on BA you would be allowed to pick the bassinet from the time of booking as your child is under 2 (albeit you would have to make a stop at LHR).

with ELAL you could also book the bassinet beforehand, the problem is that its not meant for children over 9 months or over a certain weight.
a child 17 months old will not fit in there.
so although you like BA so much, i think that ELAL give special and great treatment to children on their flights.
their child meals are awsome.

with ELAL you could also book the bassinet beforehand, the problem is that its not meant for children over 9 months or over a certain weight.
a child 17 months old will not fit in there.
so although you like BA so much, i think that ELAL give special and great treatment to children on their flights.
their child meals are awsome.



Yea - we had the bassinet last time and he barely fit in there at 8 months (he's tall like daddy) still would be nice to have the extra room for baby with no other parents w/babies under 9 months using the seats.

As far as child meals - do we get one for lap baby or only if purchasing a seat. I'm basically planning on bringing lots of food options to keep him occupied but I know a lot would have to be left on the plane because of customs.

As far as social media is concerned they really and truly haven't a clue... :td:

As far as travelling with them, well you always have a choice...

By the way, on BA you would be allowed to pick the bassinet from the time of booking as your child is under 2 (albeit you would have to make a stop at LHR).

I do love BA. flew w/them before DS was born, but prefer nonstop until he is a bit older - then would def consider BA (if price points make sense).

Maybe send a suggestion to BA reps - ADD a nonstop tlv-jfk since so many like their service for this I'm sure their flights would be full :D

.
i think that ELAL give special and great treatment to children on their flights.In what way?





their child meals are awsome.
Schnitzel and chips/pasta, just the typical Israeli child meal.

In what way?





Schnitzel and chips/pasta, just the typical Israeli child meal.

very attentive to their needs, and the parent's requests.
give out special amenities for kids (drawing paper, pencils etc)
on select day flights during the summer, they used to have magicians, people dressed as animals to entertain the kids.
they even selected some kids to help out in the plain.

didnt see any of this on other airlines.

didn't see any of this on other airlines.

Well I can talk about LY, BA, and LH as these are the airlines my 4 year has traveled (more on BA than the other two).

while I'm not arguing the LY are good with kids, I've done probably 10 return trips on BA with my daughter, and the crew have been mostly nothing short of fantastic with her.
BA do give out kits for kids (they have something for up to 3 year olds I think, and the something else for above) and they are pretty good too.

Same applies to LH, they gave her a brilliant kit which included a really useful little kids airplane shaped rucksack full of goodies.

In what way?





Schnitzel and chips/pasta, just the typical Israeli child meal.

DS actually prefers real 'adult' food with veggies etc. (insert proud mama smiley) :D