Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - El Al First Class

Can anybody tell me what first class on El AL is like in comparison to business class and what type of amenities do they give out e.g. are the amenity kits different than those given out in business class.

thank- you very much

It used to depend on what aircraft you got. It's only offered on the 747-400 and the 777 nowadays, and surprisingly it's actually very good.

Seat: Having only travelled on the 747-400 (I assume the 777 is the same), you get an almost full flat bed, with roughly 80" pitch.

Service: Attentive, yet not obtrusive with a very wide menu. The food is okay out of Tel Aviv (breakfast from TLV however is excellent). The food out of London is really good.

On my last flight from LHR to TLV the menu was:

Canapes (excellent - they were almost a meal on their own)

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Appetizers:

Timbale of Smoked Salmon with Fresh Salmon Pate (tasty)

Chicken and Mushroom Filo Parcel (didn't have it - looked a bit odd)

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Soup:

Vegetable Soup (okay - but a bit thick)

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Salad:

Fresh Tossed Salad with French or Vinaigrette Dressing

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Main Course:

Lamb Medallions in Lentil, Garlic and Rosemary Sauce (looked okay)

Supreme of Chicken with Pineapple and Raisins in Wine Sauce

Grilled Crusted Chilean Bass in Lemon Sauce (absolutely superb)

The main course was served from the trolley.

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An Array of Side-Dishes (there were about 10 choices and they were excellent)

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Sweet Trolley:

Fresh Exotic Fruits

Sweet Choice of the Day

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IFE is reasonably good but not fantastic, i.e. not state-of-the-art 22 channel system. Occasionally their film choices are somewhat bizarre (not sure what they have on the 777 though).

Giveaways: New First Class washbags are a somewhat interesting design (it's a wooden box!) with a slightly tacky content. You also get a gift which is usually quite stylish and can be anything from a pen to a menorah!

Best of all is on the ground at Tel Aviv where they whisk you through passport control and security (where the queues can be ridiculously long) and escort you to the lounge. From the lounge you get taken to the aircraft by a private minibus. On the way in, the minibus picks you up ahead of all the other passengers, and they take you to the head of the immigration queue.

All in all, it's a very nice product and a definite plus from Business.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Toda and then some. Sounds good. I thought ELAL did away with First!? Expanded to the CO style Business First. Can anyone explain? Thanks. This service sounds very nice.

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Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
HH GLD, SCI GLD, MM SIL
LE PRESIDENT ETERNEL DE CAMAIR-CAMEROUN AIRLINES :)

Posts: 744

>>> :=))) I guess this post will change this lovely # http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I even like LY food in economy. Nice to see they offer such good meals in F. Thank you for posting the menu.