Last edit by: sabbasolo
Feel free to pitch in with edits for content, additional posts and threads to be linked in the wiki, or general clean up - but please be as accurate and clear as possible!
WELCOME TO THE FLYERTALK EL AL MATMID THREAD! THIS IS A COMMUNITY-MAINTAINED WIKI FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EL AL, MATMID, ELAL.COM, AND THE LY FT THREAD. PLEASE READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING!
This thread is FLAME-FREE! Please recognize newbies who are posting here as well, and respond accordingly!!
Help me understand FlyerTalk and EL AL Matmid Forum lingo!
Flying with EL AL?
Frequent flyer with EL AL?
Need to contact EL AL?
Want general information about EL AL?
EL AL Online:
Important Threads From the Matmid forum!
Another FT thread: Traveling in Israel, for help navigating transportation in Israel
And from EL AL's website: Fly a Lot? EL AL Offers You a Ticket Pack
Upgrade to Premium Classes On-Board Your Flight!
Have a question? Do a SEARCH! Before posting a new thread, search first! There are 2 ways of searching FlyerTalk!
WELCOME TO THE FLYERTALK EL AL MATMID THREAD! THIS IS A COMMUNITY-MAINTAINED WIKI FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EL AL, MATMID, ELAL.COM, AND THE LY FT THREAD. PLEASE READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING!
This thread is FLAME-FREE! Please recognize newbies who are posting here as well, and respond accordingly!!
Help me understand FlyerTalk and EL AL Matmid Forum lingo!
Flying with EL AL?
- OLCI with Express Check-in
- Choosing the Right Seat
- Preferred Seats on EL AL (F seat with C service; C seat with Y service; Y seats with extra legroom)
- Luggage Allowances, Excess Luggage Fees, and Infant Seat/Stroller Guidelines
- On-board IFE and connectivity
- Flying With Infants
Frequent flyer with EL AL?
Need to contact EL AL?
Want general information about EL AL?
- Welcome to EL AL!
- Ben Gurion International Airport, EL AL's main hub
- Fare Classes
- Where can I find information on EL AL's Fleet?
EL AL Online:
Important Threads From the Matmid forum!
- Flying EL AL, and want to guested into the King David Lounge? See TLV King David Lounge Get-togethers, started by yosithezet.
- Want to know where there are King David Lounges or partner lounges around the world? See ELAL KD Lounges/Lounge Access across the world, started by sn1ke.
- Want to know how to earn more Matmid points using your credit card? See Earning LY Matmid points with Israeli CCs, started by yosithezet.
- Do LY have plans to add Premium Economy and overhaul the cabin? See LY Premium Eco and cabin overhaul?
- Comparing Business Class on Lufthansa (LH) and EL AL: El Al or Lufthansa to TLV?
- Want to know how to redeem Matmid points for an upgrade? How does one redeem for upgrade on LY?
- Want more information on the AA/LY relationship? See American Airlines and LY / EL AL Israel Airlines Codeshares (consolidated) from the American AAdvantage forum
- Travelling on a codeshare flight but LY metal and want to use your Matmid benefits? See Travelling with LY on an LX ticket - can I use my PL benefits?
- What are the best seats on LY's 744? Seating advice: LY 744: row 34 or 21?
- Beware! Flexible fare on EL AL may not be as flexible as you think! Total Economy vs Semi Flexible - what's the difference in flexibility?
Another FT thread: Traveling in Israel, for help navigating transportation in Israel
And from EL AL's website: Fly a Lot? EL AL Offers You a Ticket Pack
Upgrade to Premium Classes On-Board Your Flight!
Have a question? Do a SEARCH! Before posting a new thread, search first! There are 2 ways of searching FlyerTalk!
- Inside the specific forum, click on "Search this Forum" for results from within the El Al Matmid forum. To search all of FlyerTalk, click on "Search" located above the forum.
- By using Google. Duh! To search FT using Google, first type "site:www.flyertalk.com," and then a space, and then type what you want to search. (Leave out the quotation marks and comma!)
The EL AL FAQ (Newbie Questions Welcome - Flame Free)
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
El Al Baggage Claims
If something happens to your luggage during your El Al flight (lost luggage, damaged, missing items...) contact EL AL in the following manner:
Submit your claim in writing to the nearest office. From the USA, submit your claim to the New York office. From Israel or from a country without an official EL AL office, submit your claim to EL AL's head office.
NY Office:
EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd.
Baggage Claims Department
15 East 26th Street
New York, NY 10010
Fax: 212-852-0793
Email: [email protected]
Head Office:
EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd.
Baggage Claims Department
PO Box 41
Ben Gurion Airport 70100
ISRAEL
Fax: 03-760-2255
Email: [email protected]
EL AL Worldwide Offices
Please note the following timeframes for submitting claims:
EL AL Baggage Claims Form (download PDF file)
All claims must include copies of the following (please retain the originals until your claim has been settled):
Also helpful to call:
Israel: 03-977-1111
USA: 800-223-6700
Hours: (in local time of office)
Sunday to Thursday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM (07:00-00:00)
Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (07:00-21:00)
Saturday: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM (16:00-00:00)
NOTE: IF YOU'RE IN ISRAEL AND WOULD LIKE TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR LOST BAG, YOU CAN SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO THE NUMBER "3525" WITH THE MESSAGE "BAG" AND YOUR LOSS REORT NUMBER. FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOUR LOSS REPORT NUMBER (GIVEN TO YOU BY EL AL AFTER SUBMITTING A CLAIM) IS XXXXX12345, THEN YOU WOULD TEXT "BAG XXXXX12345" TO "3525". THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR ISRAELI WIRELESS CARRIERS.
Submit your claim in writing to the nearest office. From the USA, submit your claim to the New York office. From Israel or from a country without an official EL AL office, submit your claim to EL AL's head office.
NY Office:
EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd.
Baggage Claims Department
15 East 26th Street
New York, NY 10010
Fax: 212-852-0793
Email: [email protected]
Head Office:
EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd.
Baggage Claims Department
PO Box 41
Ben Gurion Airport 70100
ISRAEL
Fax: 03-760-2255
Email: [email protected]
EL AL Worldwide Offices
Please note the following timeframes for submitting claims:
- Claims for missing items or damage to your baggage must be submitted in writing within seven days of receiving the baggage.
- Claims for delayed baggage must be submitted within twenty-one days of receiving the baggage.
- Claims for lost baggage should be made only after twenty-one days have elapsed.
EL AL Baggage Claims Form (download PDF file)
All claims must include copies of the following (please retain the originals until your claim has been settled):
- Flight ticket(s)
- Boarding pass(es)
- Baggage tag(s)
- Report filed at the airport (Property Irregularity Report and/or Damage Report)
- Applicable receipts
Also helpful to call:
Israel: 03-977-1111
USA: 800-223-6700
Hours: (in local time of office)
Sunday to Thursday: 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM (07:00-00:00)
Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM (07:00-21:00)
Saturday: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM (16:00-00:00)
NOTE: IF YOU'RE IN ISRAEL AND WOULD LIKE TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR LOST BAG, YOU CAN SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO THE NUMBER "3525" WITH THE MESSAGE "BAG" AND YOUR LOSS REORT NUMBER. FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOUR LOSS REPORT NUMBER (GIVEN TO YOU BY EL AL AFTER SUBMITTING A CLAIM) IS XXXXX12345, THEN YOU WOULD TEXT "BAG XXXXX12345" TO "3525". THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR ISRAELI WIRELESS CARRIERS.
Last edited by joshwex90; May 17, 2011 at 2:01 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Ben Gurion International Airport
Ben Gurion Airport, referred to as TLV, (its IATA code, the commonly used code,) LLBG, (its IACA code, and generally used in conjunction with domestic flights,) or Natbag, (an acronym of its Hebrew name, Namal Teufa Ben Gurion,) is located in Airport City, Israel, in the Gush Dan region (greater Tel Aviv area,) about 15 km/9 miles from Tel Aviv, Israel's second largest city, and right next to the city of Lod.
It's about 15 minutes from Tel Aviv, Israel's second largest city. TLV is LY's only hub. (Though this may change if and when the new Eilat airport ever becomes functional, as well as Israel's second planned international airport.) TLV is also Israel's international gateway. TLV is a highly modern airport, and is also the hub for Israel's second largest carrier, Arkia, and third largest, Israir. Basically all of LY's operations take place out of Terminal 3, the newest and main terminal at TLV. (In general, ALL flights in and out of TLV take use Terminal 3 EXCEPT domestic ones and select flights from discount carriers such as easyjet, which use Terminal 1.) At TLV, LY operates a special check-in desk for First Class pax, and another for Business Class pax. These desks are also for ranking Matmid members.
Terminal 3 is one of few terminal in the world to offer unlimmited, high-speed wi-fi throughout the terminal, to ALL pax, FREE OF CHARGE.
TLV , or LLBG, refers to Ben-Gurion International Airport, officially located in Lod, Israel, though it's actually just outside. It's about 15 minutes from Tel Aviv, Israel's second largest city. TLV is LY's only hub. (Though this may change if and when the new Eilat airport ever becomes functional, as well as Israel's second planned international airport.) TLV is also Israel's international gateway. TLV is a highly modern airport, and is also the hub for Israel's second largest carrier, Arkia, and third largest, Israir. Basically all of LY's operations take place out of Terminal 3, the newest and main terminal at TLV. (In general, ALL flights in and out of TLV take use Terminal 3 EXCEPT domestic ones and select flights from discount carriers such as easyjet, which use Terminal 1.) At TLV, LY operates a special check-in desk for First Class pax, and another for Business Class pax. These desks are also for ranking Matmid members.
Terminal 3 is one of few terminal in the world to offer unlimmited, high-speed wi-fi throughout the terminal, to ALL pax, FREE OF CHARGE.
It's about 15 minutes from Tel Aviv, Israel's second largest city. TLV is LY's only hub. (Though this may change if and when the new Eilat airport ever becomes functional, as well as Israel's second planned international airport.) TLV is also Israel's international gateway. TLV is a highly modern airport, and is also the hub for Israel's second largest carrier, Arkia, and third largest, Israir. Basically all of LY's operations take place out of Terminal 3, the newest and main terminal at TLV. (In general, ALL flights in and out of TLV take use Terminal 3 EXCEPT domestic ones and select flights from discount carriers such as easyjet, which use Terminal 1.) At TLV, LY operates a special check-in desk for First Class pax, and another for Business Class pax. These desks are also for ranking Matmid members.
Terminal 3 is one of few terminal in the world to offer unlimmited, high-speed wi-fi throughout the terminal, to ALL pax, FREE OF CHARGE.
TLV , or LLBG, refers to Ben-Gurion International Airport, officially located in Lod, Israel, though it's actually just outside. It's about 15 minutes from Tel Aviv, Israel's second largest city. TLV is LY's only hub. (Though this may change if and when the new Eilat airport ever becomes functional, as well as Israel's second planned international airport.) TLV is also Israel's international gateway. TLV is a highly modern airport, and is also the hub for Israel's second largest carrier, Arkia, and third largest, Israir. Basically all of LY's operations take place out of Terminal 3, the newest and main terminal at TLV. (In general, ALL flights in and out of TLV take use Terminal 3 EXCEPT domestic ones and select flights from discount carriers such as easyjet, which use Terminal 1.) At TLV, LY operates a special check-in desk for First Class pax, and another for Business Class pax. These desks are also for ranking Matmid members.
Terminal 3 is one of few terminal in the world to offer unlimmited, high-speed wi-fi throughout the terminal, to ALL pax, FREE OF CHARGE.
Last edited by joshwex90; May 17, 2011 at 1:55 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Fare Class
EL AL awards points and has certain rules associated with different booking classes. For example, though two people may be seated in the same Economy Class cabin, and appear to receive the same service (which they do on-board,) one who purchases a more expensive "Y" ticket has more flexibility with his ticket, such as the ability to request a full refund, then someone who purchases a cheaper "T" ticket.
The following is a list of different fare classes:
First Class: (Available on 772/744 selectively on routes to/from: JFK, EWR, LAX, CDG, LHR, JNB, BKK, and HKG)
*For all destinations (other than the above mentioned ones) that feature an F-equipped plane, (such as BKK,) Plats and TPLs will be able to select F seats when seated in C at any point, and Golds will be able to from OLCI, all for free. All other C pax can select the F seats at OLCI for a fee. The service will be regular Business Class service.
Note about F service: If there is little to no demand for F a few days before the flight, F service will be unavailable, and the same rules for selecting F seats will apply as to any route serviced only by Business Class.
Business Class/Platinum Class: (Available on all routes except Eilat. Referred to as "Platinum Class" on routes to/from North America and Far East; otherwise referred to as "Business Class.")
Economy Class:
Reward Travel Fare Classes: (These classes are for travel redeemed with points and do not earn any points.)
Note that tickets purchased via a combination of points and money, even if ticketed in in a regular fare class and not a reward class, do NOT earn any points. Only tickets purchased exclusively with money earn Matmid points.
This table shows the point accumulation based on both destination and fare class. Note though the changes in zones, found here.
Matmid Bonuses:
Earning Matmid points when flying partner airlines:
American Airlines
Earning miles/points on partner programs when flying EL AL:
American Airline
Qantas
South African Airways
Aeromexico (100% miles in Y; 125% in C; 150% in F. Only applicable on routes between TLV and the following destinations: JFK, MIA, MAD, CDG)
The following is a list of different fare classes:
First Class: (Available on 772/744 selectively on routes to/from: JFK, EWR, LAX, CDG, LHR, JNB, BKK, and HKG)
- F (Regular Fare)
- A (Discount Fare)
*For all destinations (other than the above mentioned ones) that feature an F-equipped plane, (such as BKK,) Plats and TPLs will be able to select F seats when seated in C at any point, and Golds will be able to from OLCI, all for free. All other C pax can select the F seats at OLCI for a fee. The service will be regular Business Class service.
Note about F service: If there is little to no demand for F a few days before the flight, F service will be unavailable, and the same rules for selecting F seats will apply as to any route serviced only by Business Class.
Business Class/Platinum Class: (Available on all routes except Eilat. Referred to as "Platinum Class" on routes to/from North America and Far East; otherwise referred to as "Business Class.")
- C (Full Fare) Upgradable Fare to First Class; Requires A inventory
- I (Regular Fare) Upgradable Fare to First Class; Requires A inventory
- Z, D (Discounted Fares)
- J (Deeply Discounted Fare)
Economy Class:
- Y, S, M (Full-Fare) Upgradable Fares to Business Class; Requires R inventory
- B, Q (Regular Fare)
- K, H, N, L, V (Discount Fare)
- O, G, U, T (Deeply Discounted Fare) For LY5000 and LY6000 (AMM flights), each flight earns 7 points on these fares
Reward Travel Fare Classes: (These classes are for travel redeemed with points and do not earn any points.)
- P (First Class)
- W (Business Class)
- E (Economy Class)
Note that tickets purchased via a combination of points and money, even if ticketed in in a regular fare class and not a reward class, do NOT earn any points. Only tickets purchased exclusively with money earn Matmid points.
This table shows the point accumulation based on both destination and fare class. Note though the changes in zones, found here.
Matmid Bonuses:
- Silver: 10%
- Gold: 25%
- Plat/TPL: 50%
Earning Matmid points when flying partner airlines:
American Airlines
Earning miles/points on partner programs when flying EL AL:
American Airline
Qantas
South African Airways
Aeromexico (100% miles in Y; 125% in C; 150% in F. Only applicable on routes between TLV and the following destinations: JFK, MIA, MAD, CDG)
Last edited by joshwex90; Feb 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Posting Guidelines
Always do a search before posting. Chances are the search has it. If you can't find your answer, make your thread title as descriptive as possible. And try not reviving years old threads!
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Originally Posted by American Airlines
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum®, or AAdvantage Gold® members will earn a minimum of 500 miles on eligible fare tickets.
AAdvantage earning structure on El Al
Last edited by joshwex90; Jan 3, 2011 at 12:57 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
#25
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Israel
Programs: Elal Silver, AirCanada Aeroplan, AA AAdvantage, KLM Flying Blue, Continental OnePass, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 529
Infant car seat or stroller
The site:
http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/A...lAlloeance.htm
lists the rules for checked luggage and includes the details for an infant stroller or car seat (see bottom of page) that can be an additional piece of luggage.
There is a loophole here since it does not state that you have to be traveling with an infant and I know people who have actually used this loophole to bring to Israel a newly purchased stroller or car seat as a 3rd piece of luggage.
http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/A...lAlloeance.htm
lists the rules for checked luggage and includes the details for an infant stroller or car seat (see bottom of page) that can be an additional piece of luggage.
There is a loophole here since it does not state that you have to be traveling with an infant and I know people who have actually used this loophole to bring to Israel a newly purchased stroller or car seat as a 3rd piece of luggage.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Help with LY Fleet and KDL!
To all: I started updating this thread, and help try to put it together during my limited time,) and I compiled a list of the fleet. (I included links to LY's seat map about the Boeing variant, and links to FlightAware to track individual planes,) but I realized that we constantly discuss pros and cons of specific ships, and figured it'd be good to put these notes where they are relevant. For example, I belive 4X-ELE is the old SQ plane, but what are some notes about it? It has numerous technical difficulties, the AVOD doesn't work, there's no AVOD...
What's the IFE situation on the 777s and 744s? What has AVOD, the VOD box, looped entertainment, AVOD in F/C only...? Do all 744s and 777s have the same F and C? (Except the old SQ one...and what's with that one?) How are they different...
All help appreciated!
On a different note, what are the updated access rules to the KDL, both at TLV and abroad? Access based on Matmid level, class of travel, membership cost, day pass... Who else has access? What can I access if there's no KDL in the airport? Guest policy? Unfortunately, LY may be turning a profit, but none of that extra money seems to be going into maintaining the website
thanks!
p.s. posts updated: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22
What's the IFE situation on the 777s and 744s? What has AVOD, the VOD box, looped entertainment, AVOD in F/C only...? Do all 744s and 777s have the same F and C? (Except the old SQ one...and what's with that one?) How are they different...
All help appreciated!
On a different note, what are the updated access rules to the KDL, both at TLV and abroad? Access based on Matmid level, class of travel, membership cost, day pass... Who else has access? What can I access if there's no KDL in the airport? Guest policy? Unfortunately, LY may be turning a profit, but none of that extra money seems to be going into maintaining the website
thanks!
p.s. posts updated: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22
Last edited by joshwex90; Jan 6, 2011 at 5:36 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK, TLV, USA
Programs: LY Plat, BMI DC Gold, VS Gold, Hertz #1 Club Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 345
If it's ok, I'm going to copy the information about KDL lounge access rules into my thread about lounges...that way, we can have one thread just about lounge info..
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Of course that's ok! But I do plan on leaving the information here as well, as I'd like to keep this updated with as much info as possible, so that hopefully, one day, (when I have the time,) I can convert this into a decent looking FAQ page. I think that'd make a nice welcome to people who are flying LY, so they don't have to try to navigate the FT search, and can have many basic questions answered right here (especially considering LY's website is still in the 90's.)
Last edited by joshwex90; Jan 7, 2011 at 6:56 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK, TLV, USA
Programs: LY Plat, BMI DC Gold, VS Gold, Hertz #1 Club Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 345
No problem, and thanks! I've listed you as a source for it
Feel free to copy/paste from my updated info re KDL access into here.
I'm hoping that my thread might just become a sticky...
Feel free to copy/paste from my updated info re KDL access into here.
I'm hoping that my thread might just become a sticky...