Anyone flown El Al to Israel?
Discussion
And... was it as bad as I am led to believe? 
My company (US based with Israeli R&D) wants to fly a group of us to Tel Aviv by El Al because it is cheaper than BA 
- Rumours abound of 3 x hour check in queues at security at Heathrow, discrimination against non-Israeli passport holders at boarding and all in all a not very pleasant experience. Before I wade in and complain, I want my facts straight so... is it that bad? Rich...
My company (US based with Israeli R&D) wants to fly a group of us to Tel Aviv by El Al because it is cheaper than BA - Rumours abound of 3 x hour check in queues at security at Heathrow, discrimination against non-Israeli passport holders at boarding and all in all a not very pleasant experience. Before I wade in and complain, I want my facts straight so... is it that bad? Rich...Your description pretty much sums up my last flatmates experience with them. He vowed never to fly with them, or go to Israel ever again.... He actually considered giving up his holiday (he was going to Egypt but the flight was via Israel) before he'd left Heathrow due to the treatment he received.
tinman0 said:
Doesn't El Al have chaff launchers on their jets?
I have read also that all El Al planes have anti missiles counter measures.
I have also read that the security procedures and interviews by custom and immigration are fairly bad for non Israelis, but having said tha their safety record is second to none.
Yep, I have, from Heathrow to Tel Aviv. It was quite a while ago (1988) but the security check was very stringent - 15 minute interviews by two people, painstaking search of baggage right down to checking that a tube of toothpaste actually contained toothpaste. This was before the serious threats emerged and it was all the more arduous for that reason. By the standards of the present it might seem more reasonable, though. I have to say I felt safer for the checks. I had never been to the middle east before, except in transit through Dubai, and I felt a bit exposed as a non-Israeli passport holder. The Israelis had shot a senior member of Arafat's crew only days earlier and it was coming up to the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Israel so the portents were dodgy.
My MD of the time commuted to Tel Aviv on a fortnightly basis, always by El Al and he was not a very patient type so wouldn't have stood for any nonsense. That said, he had a very Jewish name and was well known to the security people. I guess that helped.
My MD of the time commuted to Tel Aviv on a fortnightly basis, always by El Al and he was not a very patient type so wouldn't have stood for any nonsense. That said, he had a very Jewish name and was well known to the security people. I guess that helped.
Yup - flown them and not a lovely experience from the point of view of the checks and questions etc but as has been said, they are potentially at much greater risk from attack than other airlines. However, do not forget that the security checks for ANY airline flying to Israel are increased. Like with anything else, if you're polite to the guys doing the checks and understand the reasoning for it there is nothing to get wound up about. Just don't joke with them!
Leaving the UK has never been a problem, and the in-flight service is fine. Security checks when embarking at Ben Gurion are stringent, but I've always been treated politely and efficiently. I once was picked out for a full blown finger search of all my bags which took a long time. The security people realised that my flight was about to finish boarding and that I'd never get to the gate if I had to queue at passport control, so they quickly dealt with the paperwork then and there and took me straight out to the gate. Everything sorted without drama. I've had no problems with them at all.
Can be full of grumpy rude Jewish people.
Watch out for all the Orthodox Jews heading to the back of the plane to pray.
Shed loads of questions.
Even Israeli citizens can get a hard time if documents aren't spot on.
The food is dire.
BUT.....
They are the safest airline in the world. I'd fly with them any day of the week. I know a few air marshalls on their flights. I believe their minimum requirement is 4 per flight.
Watch out for all the Orthodox Jews heading to the back of the plane to pray.
Shed loads of questions.
Even Israeli citizens can get a hard time if documents aren't spot on.
The food is dire.
BUT.....
They are the safest airline in the world. I'd fly with them any day of the week. I know a few air marshalls on their flights. I believe their minimum requirement is 4 per flight.
tinman0 said:
Doesn't El Al have chaff launchers on their jets?
About time most airlines introduced chav launchers - disposes of drunken yobs overboard after wrapping them in radar-reflective foil and strapping on a couple of magnesium flares - solves the problem of unacceptable on-board behaviour and the potential terrorist SAM threat in one easy go.
>> Edited by eharding on Monday 20th February 18:42
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I flew with Austrian to Tel Aviv a couple of years back and they were fine , apart from the Israeli guy tring to board the plane at Vienna with a big bag full of toys including a plastic revolver 
im suprised that he was not dragged off .
Coming back it was terrible at check in at Ben G i was questioned for 50 minutes they even took business cards of the people i had visited and went away to phone them for some questions
im suprised that he was not dragged off . Coming back it was terrible at check in at Ben G i was questioned for 50 minutes they even took business cards of the people i had visited and went away to phone them for some questions
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