El Al Matmid - Early morning flight from TLV

My family and I are taking vacation to Israel, and have a 5am return flight. We are thinking that we won't bother getting a hotel the night before (only to leave the hotel at 1:45 a.m.), but instead will just get to the airport around midnight and hang around or get some bad-quality sleep in semi-comfortable chairs, until we can check in. Is there someplace pre-security where we can do that? (I suppose for this particular forum - and given my question - I should add: no jokes about my name -- unless they are funny).

My family and I are taking vacation to Israel, and have a 5am return flight. We are thinking that we won't bother getting a hotel the night before (only to leave the hotel at 1:45 a.m.), but instead will just get to the airport around midnight and hang around or get some bad-quality sleep in semi-comfortable chairs, until we can check in. Is there someplace pre-security where we can do that? (I suppose for this particular forum - and given my question - I should add: no jokes about my name -- unless they are funny).

OK Jack ,

Ive been in the same boat numerous times, and always kept my hotel room. 1 it was easier as I didnt have to pack up at 10am

2- I was able to take a shower before I was going to leave the Hotel, especially after running around all day

3- I actually had a 1am wake up call and was able to get a few hrs sleep in

4- its alot less stressful and makes the flight a more comfortable 1 , especially with kids

maybe keep 1 room if you will be having more then 1 that way the kids can sleep and everyone can shower when they want

having to checkout at 11am or noon at best and wandering around w/o being able to shower up in a hot enviorment, I just hope you guys arent sitting in my immediate area on the plane

you have regular airport chairs + coffee shops and food court

I also prefer to Relax at the Hotel , but why not go and catch a movie in Tel-Aviv instead of waiting at the airport ? you just need to find a solution for the baggage.
you can watch a movie around 22:00 at Azrealy and take the train / taxi to the airport it is about 15-20 Min from there.
and the "hashalom" train station is right there.

My family and I are taking vacation to Israel, and have a 5am return flight. We are thinking that we won't bother getting a hotel the night before (only to leave the hotel at 1:45 a.m.), but instead will just get to the airport around midnight and hang around or get some bad-quality sleep in semi-comfortable chairs, until we can check in. Is there someplace pre-security where we can do that? (I suppose for this particular forum - and given my question - I should add: no jokes about my name -- unless they are funny).

I agree with those that are saying you should get a hotel room. If you do follow your original intent then you would head past the counters to the SkyMall (?) which is sorta behind the counters before the carry-on security. Just walk down one of the halls between the counter areas.

you can watch a movie around 22:00 at Azrealy and take the train / taxi to the airport it is about 15-20 Min from there.
and the "hashalom" train station is right there.

Nice suggestion, but:
a. Hashalom station does not work at night
b. The movie cinemas in Azrieli are about to shut down in order to clear space for a new H&M store.
c. Go find a movie for the whole family at 10PM...

b. The movie cinemas in Azrieli are about to shut down in order to clear space for a new H&M store.


So Azrieli will have no movie theater at all? :O

So Azrieli will have no movie theater at all? :O

The cinemas are "moving" out of the shopping malls and into designated cinema complexes like Cinema-City. Such a move will also be done in the Malcha Jerusalem - they cinemas will clear space for fashion shops. A similar move was done in Ramat Aviv mall a couple of years ago. In Ayalon mall the old cinemas were cleared (there is a new path of stores in their place now) and a new cinema complex was built on the roof of the mall (Yes Planet).

The cinemas are "moving" out of the shopping malls and into designated cinema complexes like Cinema-City. Such a move will also be done in the Malcha Jerusalem - they cinemas will clear space for fashion shops. A similar move was done in Ramat Aviv mall a couple of years ago. In Ayalon mall the old cinemas were cleared (there is a new path of stores in their place now) and a new cinema complex was built on the roof of the mall (Yes Planet).

Hmm... I didn't know about any of this. I need to get out more. :(

I need to get out more. :(Or start reading the newspapers at least... :)

What El Al flight leaves at 05:00?

What El Al flight leaves at 05:00?

No where does the OP say he is flying El AL. There are other flights at that time

No where does the OP say he is flying El AL. There are other flights at that time

Aha, so the thread should say OT in the title.

What El Al flight leaves at 05:00?

Assuming he mean's between 5-6, and not exactlly 5:00, there are a few ELAL flights departing then, today for example there was: Moscow, Bucharest and Warsaw

What El Al flight leaves at 05:00?

Well, on Friday mornings, there are quite a few:
(LY/2U/IZ flights scheduled for tomorrow 21.08 before 0530)
0445 LY 551 SOF
0455 IZ 547 ARN
0510 LY 351 SXF
0520 2U 5335 AMS
0525 LY 213 LTN
0525 LY 395 MAD

Aha, so the thread should say OT in the title.Indeed!

Aha, so the thread should say OT in the title.

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but if you look at this board there are plenty of threads that are not EL AL related but have to do with TLV and Israel in general

I stand by my comment

I am not sure if you are being sarcastic or not,
Why sarcastic? I'm sure they were not...

It is perfectly normal (and expected) throughout FT that if one posts a thread that is not directly related to the forum they state OT before the thread title.

It is perfectly normal (and expected) throughout FT that if one posts a thread that is not directly related to the forum they state OT before the thread title.

While I agree in principle, I think that anything that has to do with TLV is on-topic in this forum unless explicitly discussing another airline. So all questions about security at TLV or transportation to and from the airport would be on-topic while Dan lounge access for LH pax would be OT.