Dec 9, 2013, 6:21 am
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)
Feb 8, 2011, 3:03 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Jun 14, 2011, 7:55 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
EL AL Online - Social Media
EL AL maintains a variety of social media pages to follow.
Facebook: Just "Like" EL AL Israel Airlines USA!
Twitter: Simply follow @elal_airlines, the official English Twitterstream of EL AL Israel's Airlines!
YouTube: The YouTube ELALairlines's Channel is the official YouTube page of EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES. Click the link to subscribe.
Blog: Skywords with EL AL is the official blog of EL AL in the USA
Flickr: EL AL Israel Airlines Flickr page
Facebook: Just "Like" EL AL Israel Airlines USA!
Twitter: Simply follow @elal_airlines, the official English Twitterstream of EL AL Israel's Airlines!
YouTube: The YouTube ELALairlines's Channel is the official YouTube page of EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES. Click the link to subscribe.
Blog: Skywords with EL AL is the official blog of EL AL in the USA
Flickr: EL AL Israel Airlines Flickr page
Last edited by joshwex90; Jul 4, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Jun 20, 2011, 2:42 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity
IFE: The 737, 757, and 767 planes all have shared TVs, playing looped entertainment. The 777 and 747 planes have PTVs in all classes of travel. See EL AL Fleet, post 6 for a list of which PTVs are AVOD, and which feature 12 channels of looped entertainment.
In-seat Power: Only the 777-200ER and 747-400 planes are equipped with in-flight power. Every First Class and Business Class seat has one power port, and in Economy Class, every 2-seater has 1 power port, every 3-seater has 2 power ports, and every 4-seater has 3 power ports. The power ports in Y are located underneath/between the seats.
The power is regular AC power, which requires no adapter. It's built to take North American plugs. And the voltage is 110 volts, requiring no converter for North American appliances.
Wi-Fi: Currently, no planes in the LY fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, and unfortunately, there are no plans to install anytime in the foreseeable future. However, you can still enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, free of charge, throughout Terminal 3 at TLV, as well as internet and business centers at KDLs around the world.
In-seat Power: Only the 777-200ER and 747-400 planes are equipped with in-flight power. Every First Class and Business Class seat has one power port, and in Economy Class, every 2-seater has 1 power port, every 3-seater has 2 power ports, and every 4-seater has 3 power ports. The power ports in Y are located underneath/between the seats.
The power is regular AC power, which requires no adapter. It's built to take North American plugs. And the voltage is 110 volts, requiring no converter for North American appliances.
Wi-Fi: Currently, no planes in the LY fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, and unfortunately, there are no plans to install anytime in the foreseeable future. However, you can still enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, free of charge, throughout Terminal 3 at TLV, as well as internet and business centers at KDLs around the world.
Last edited by joshwex90; Feb 13, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Jul 4, 2011, 7:42 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Jul 4, 2011, 7:43 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
EL AL Online - FlyerTalk
Does EL AL have an official representative on FlyerTalk? It seems so.
Liat Kaplan is the director of social media at EL AL, and posts on FlyerTalk under the handle EL AL Rep.
Liat Kaplan is the director of social media at EL AL, and posts on FlyerTalk under the handle EL AL Rep.
Last edited by joshwex90; Mar 14, 2013 at 3:29 am
Jul 4, 2011, 7:53 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
EL AL Online - Mobile
- Does EL AL maintain a mobile site? Currently, no. The full LY site is the only site currently accessible from a mobile device unfortunately. (Please note that without EL AL's check-in app for iPhone, you cannot check-in on the phone without accessing the full site. There is no mobile boarding pass.)
- What EL AL apps can I download for my iPhone/iPod Touch? As per New ELAL iPhone app - out now! (clubman,) EL AL maintains 3 apps: (Unfortunately, for maximum functionality, you need all 3 apps.)
- FlyTLV for checking schedules.
- A separate app used for checking-in.
- A separate app used for checking Matmid details. You can check your points, activity history, and even a nice tool to calculate how many Matmid points you would get when transferring CC points based on type of card etc...
- What EL AL apps can I download for my Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone 7 smartphone enabled device? Currently, there are no EL AL apps available for platforms other than iOS.
- What about apps for my tablet? Currently, EL AL has no apps available for tablets, including iOS.
See SMS Flight Updates for more things you can do from your phone on EL AL, such as more information on existing iPhone apps, check-in via SMS, or getting up-to-date information on LY, including flight or luggage info, via SMS!
Last edited by joshwex90; Aug 28, 2011 at 1:03 am
Jul 4, 2011, 8:09 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Early Check-In, Express Check-In and Early Check-In at Home
Express Check-In allows you to check-in online anytime between 27 hours and 3 hours before departure.
For flights to/from Eilat, you can check-in online via Express Check-In anytime between 20 hours and 3 hours before departure.
This service allows you to choose your seat as well as preferred seat in advance.
For flights departing Israel Saturday evening (after the Sabbath) or at night following Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashana - Jewish New Years; Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement; Succot; Passover; and Shavuot), you can use Express Check-In to check in Friday or the day before the start of the Jewish holiday.
See the Express Check-In FAQ page for more information.
You can also check-in early at home using EL AL Early Check-In at Home!
For flights to/from Eilat, you can check-in online via Express Check-In anytime between 20 hours and 3 hours before departure.
This service allows you to choose your seat as well as preferred seat in advance.
For flights departing Israel Saturday evening (after the Sabbath) or at night following Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashana - Jewish New Years; Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement; Succot; Passover; and Shavuot), you can use Express Check-In to check in Friday or the day before the start of the Jewish holiday.
See the Express Check-In FAQ page for more information.
You can also check-in early at home using EL AL Early Check-In at Home!
Aug 28, 2011, 12:08 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Baggage Allowance
This is a list of luggage allowances on EL AL.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS ONLY APPLIES WHEN FLYING EL AL. IF YOU ARE FLYING ANOTHER AIRLINE, EVEN ON A TICKET BOOKED THROUGH EL AL WITH AN LY CODE, THE OTHER CARRIER'S RULES APPLY. IF YOU ARE FLYING EL AL, EVEN IF YOUR TICKET WAS BOOKED THROUGH A DIFFERENT AIRLINE AND YOUR TICKET HAS THE OTHER AIRLINE'S CODE, THE EL AL RULES APPLY!
No bag may ever exceed 32 kg (70.4 pounds)!
If you're flight is a connecting flight, both airlines' rules apply. Therefore, if LY does not charge a fee, but the second carrier does, LY will collect the fee(s) at check-in, and vice versa.
Important links regarding baggage policies:
Sports Baggage
Checked Baggage
Excess Baggage
SEE ALSO:
Infant Car Seat/Stroller
Baggage Claims
Last edited by joshwex90; Oct 6, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Aug 28, 2011, 12:43 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Excess Luggage Fees: Europe, Far East, South Africa (All listed prices are One-Way)
All international flights EXCEPT to/from North America
All Classes
1.5% of the Full Fare Economy Class ticket price (Y class) for every kilogram, in each direction
*The exact rate will be given at the EL AL counter at the airport.
(For flights to/from BRU, PRG, and all UK airports, no more than 32 kg/piece will be accepted.)
FOR TICKETS TICKETED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2011 AND ONWARDS
Flights to/from Europe
First/Business Class
All Classes
1.5% of the Full Fare Economy Class ticket price (Y class) for every kilogram, in each direction
*The exact rate will be given at the EL AL counter at the airport.
(For flights to/from BRU, PRG, and all UK airports, no more than 32 kg/piece will be accepted.)
FOR TICKETS TICKETED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2011 AND ONWARDS
Flights to/from Europe
First/Business Class
Last edited by joshwex90; Oct 3, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Sep 12, 2011, 9:08 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: PL LY, PL CO , Gold HH
Posts: 584
IFE: The 737, 757, and 767 planes all have shared TVs, playing looped entertainment. The 777 and 747 planes have PTVs in all classes of travel. See El Al Fleet, post 6 for a list of which PTVs are AVOD, and which feature 12 channels of looped entertainment.
In-seat Power: Only the 777-200ER and 747-400 planes are equipped with in-flight power. Every First Class and Business Class seat has one power port, and in Economy Class, every 2-seater has 1 power port, every 3-seater has 2 power ports, and every 4-seater has 3 power ports. The power ports in Y are located underneath/between the seats.
The power is regular AC power, which requires no adapter. It's built to take North American plugs. And the voltage is 110 volts, requiring no converter for North American appliances.
Wi-Fi: Currently, no planes in the LY fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, and unfortunately, there are no plans to install anytime in the foreseeable future. However, you can still enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, free of charge, throughout Terminal 3 at TLV, as well as internet and business centers at KDLs around the world.
In-seat Power: Only the 777-200ER and 747-400 planes are equipped with in-flight power. Every First Class and Business Class seat has one power port, and in Economy Class, every 2-seater has 1 power port, every 3-seater has 2 power ports, and every 4-seater has 3 power ports. The power ports in Y are located underneath/between the seats.
The power is regular AC power, which requires no adapter. It's built to take North American plugs. And the voltage is 110 volts, requiring no converter for North American appliances.
Wi-Fi: Currently, no planes in the LY fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi, and unfortunately, there are no plans to install anytime in the foreseeable future. However, you can still enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi, free of charge, throughout Terminal 3 at TLV, as well as internet and business centers at KDLs around the world.
