Thinking about First...
 

Hi all -

I'm considering using every Amex point I can fathom to get myself into a first class award ticket from the NYC area to TLV on LY. I have a couple questions that still linger, even after a long period of deliberation and research...

1. I was originally thinking I should target the 747-400 out of JFK, but now EWR, as I can fly to EWR at a lower rate. Are all El Al 747's the same or are some lacking features that others have?

2. Along the same lines, it appears that the 777's are newer hardware. Any plus to booking on the 777 that I wouldn't get on the 747? I like the bigger planes. :)

3. Any reason why I shouldn't do this or another route that you all recommend? Is the first class experience on these flights excellent?

I appreciate any advice you can provide!

Thanks!

Certainly, for the same reason joshwex90 said in the other thread you started about this, LY's First is substandard, and while the service will probably be very good the hard product is dated (even though it's only about 3-4 years old...) and far behind the competition.

You'de be better off (as suggested as well in the other thread) to take BA or AA to LHR and BA from there, you cannot even compare the products.

Any way you can travel with CO using these Amex points? because if so you could book Business First which although a business class product is miles ahead of LY's First, and you still get to travel direct from EWR.

I guess at the end of the day though it also depends on what you're used to and if it's economy/coach you will most likely find LY's First a great experience.

We're just all spoilt... ;)

Thanks for the reply. I thought posting in here was a good idea, since it was suggested that I post my question on the carrier boards instead of the general board for the region; especially since this was more geared towards El Al themselves. :)

I'll take a look into BA. From looking before, the route availability (the trip is in 2-3 weeks) wasn't so great. I can get to LHR direct for about $1500 per person on AA, in Coach and hope to upgrade. I can then take BA and partners (non-direct) to TLV from LHR at a cost of about 38000 Avios and $520 a person, for coach and business. That brings the total up to about $2000 per person, plus 76000 Avios for mixed classes, with only a LHR to Germany confirmed in coach.

Thanks again! I'll keep trying alternatives.

I guess it really depends on your goal. If your goal is to get from NY to TLV as comfortably as possible, I'd say go El Al first as you have no layover. If your goal is to have the best first experience you can have, I'd say opt for BA with the stop in LHR (which is really not so bad... the concorde room is fantastic)

Agreed, and as you say for convenience take the EL AL nonstop, or for a better offering United flight in BizFirst from EWR. The big plus to El AL is kosher offerings in First compared to the other airlines, and obviously the very Israeli experience which is a big plus for some of us.

I see you are flying into NYC, this opens up other international gateways:
- LY first is outdated but it is a viable option for premium travel to TLV (LY J is not).
- US flies to TLV out of PHL and they will allow you to use AMEX points. Their hard product is great.
- UA terminated their partnership with AMEX.
- DL partners with AMEX and flies to TLV out of JFK, but you may end up in a 744 with slanted lie-flat seats.

Enjoy your trip
DLP

BA's kosher offering in F out of LHR is very good TBH and not bad at all out of TLV. I have not tried out of the US but I don't care as I always sleep on my home-bound flights from the US.

Again, might only really matter to some, but the availability of kosher starter items, and beverages including wine is much different than EL AL in First. Also the CCR in LHR is really nice, but for those who keep kosher it would not have very much to offer!

If you thing that LY J is not a viable option for premium travel.....

Maybe you should fly Y for a few months.

Thanks for all the replies! Kosher food is a big thing for me and my family. I did look into BA and into Lufthansa. I was unable to actually get a flight booked with either. Computer issues at one company lost my awards ticket and the other just didn't have any availability. So I think my best bet may be El Al. At least I know how kosher food and a nice experience inside of the plane, as well.

I'm assuming kosher wine is included with a first fare on El Al? I have to make up the points difference somehow! ;)

Yes, it is. I would recommend the Yarden Merlot as a red, and the Dalton Fume Blanc as a white. They will give you as much as you want. If you like dessert wines the Yarden Heightswine is excellent (ice-wine lookalike) but make sure they keep some for you as it is often given away to business class .. Avoid the Yatir red blend - it is not one of their best productions at all.

Have plenty of that back home (i.e in Israel) really don't need it on my flights as well...

:D
Thanks for sharing:-: