The policy has only just come out and isn't online yet, but it probably will be shortly. Previously Avios rebooks were allowed. You can still maintain the cancellation/refund option, but it's a lot trickier so it really is best to try and get the correct dates if you can do so. If you are not sure, you best wait, simply because the ticketing and changes become more difficult and slower to do.

where would we be without a healthy dose of grumpiness! Off to the EL AL WhatsApp I go then. Thanks!

thanks for the info about retaining flexibility; I am sure about the dates, but may call the whole trip off depending on the situation nearer the time.

I will give them a ring and hope - unless there’s a better way?

I called and the agent was at the "more grumpy" end of grumpiness. He even said "I am working for BA now. I suppose you want to book a seat? It's all I've done today". I was not brave enough to say that if the IT worked it would not be necessary and I accepted meekly the seat he gave me!!!!!!!

BONDY

My instinct to call immediately proved correct.
Helpful agent, initially only offered rerouting LCY-AMS-TLV but convinced them they had an arrangement with ElAl and got the last seat on my preferred flight in J (originally avios booking in euro business, now on the Dreamliner with a flat bed, not the worst result!!)

also got the agent to confirm usual avios terms apply which is great.

thanks CWS

Just got an email - my May 29 TLV-LHR cancelled

Had flights booked (economy) LON-TLV-LON 26th-28th May which have just been cancelled (I have plans in TLV for the 27th)

Called the Gold line to ask about rebooking with El Al: they say there is no El Al availability for London to Tel Aviv between Fri 23rd and Mon 26th May. According to them my only option is to cancel (surely I can move the booking to a later date?). I said what about if I found an alternative flight, would they cover the cost, or could get reroute me eg via Cyprus or Istanbul. Agent said no to both.

Google flights shows El Al economy LON-TLV available on 27th, but nothing back from TLV-LON for the next week

Suggestions welcomed!

Personally I would try again as I don't see why they cannot book you to Athens or Larnaca to pick up a BA flight. The old guidelines did allow for such reasonable routings. You will not get any El Al flights on Shabbat of course but you should be able to rebook to a date suitable to you if there are seats being sold by El Al. I wouldn't use Google flights as the data may be out of date with seats selling fast.

BONDY

El Al guidelines for rebooking - 7 May 2025 issue

In scope: BA tickets issued on or before 6 May 2025 for travel on or before 15 June 2025
Commercial and redemptions both allowed. Redemptions can go into commercial space
Some bucket restrictions - can't use flexible high end buckets. Voluntary downgrade is allowed. So only
Business = D J Z
Premoum Economy = Q B P
Economy = M K V S L H N G O U
Can move to new dates provided it is before 15 June.

Routes allowed (and a BA service can be booked to connect into these options)
AMS-TLV
LON-TLV = so including Luton..
ATH-TLV
MAD-TLV
BCN-TLV
MIL-TLV
LCA-TLV
PAR-TLV

Any changes to non BA sectors have to be requoted - so typically complex commercial bookings.

The last ElAl rebooking policy was far more generous in terms of bookable fare classes. The ability to find J/Z/D availability on LY to/from LHR at relatively short notice is rarer than hens teeth.

Arguably, BA business class operated by short haul planes is more akin to PE on ElAl.

that is true… does anyone know if it is possible to accept a downgrade to EL AL premium economy if business seats are not available for the desired date?

According to CWS post yesterday, "voluntary downgrades are allowed".

I have a return BA Avios Y booking to Tel Aviv. The outbound was cancelled (like in Dec 2024 for a March 23 outbound) and I was moved to ElAl which provides a better service than the new Easy Jet experience on BA for the route. I thought it would be nice to get my return booked on ElAl too but BA said that while the BA flight is operational they won’t swop. (My return is on 16 June). I guess that:
a) I should not have hoped to hard, and
b) Being punished for hoping, as my BA flight is still operational, and they won’t move me!!!! (Yet)!!!

To book a seat call El Al centre in Düsseldorf. They answer fairly quickly and oblige with a smile (seems like a smile by the way they handle the call). However if it gets rerouted to Madrid/London/Tel Aviv, close the call and redial again.

If BA is operating the flight, then they'll expect you to take it - El Al is being offered as an option if BA chooses not to/cannot operate the flight. I'd just hold off for a bit, it'll be clearer in a few weeks whether or not the flight will run. If BA cancels, you'll probably be able to go on El Al.