El Al Israel Airlines Flights
Search and compare cheap El Al tickets from Tel Aviv to North America, Europe, and Asia. Find the best LY fares for your journey — only on FareOptic.
About El Al Israel Airlines
El Al Israel Airlines (IATA: LY) is Israel's national flag carrier, operating extensive long-haul connections between Israel and North America, Europe, and Asia. El Al is widely known for particularly rigorous security procedures — among the most extensive of any commercial airline — reflecting its role as Israel's flag carrier in a region with heightened security considerations.
A genuinely distinctive operational characteristic of El Al is that it historically does not operate flights from Friday evening to Saturday evening, observing the Jewish Sabbath, nor on major Jewish holidays. El Al operates from its primary and essentially only hub at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV), serving kosher meals as standard across its cabins. FareOptic compares El Al fares across its network to help you find the best LY ticket price.
Find and compare cheap flights
Everything you need to find and book your next cheap flight — all in one place.
Price Match Promise
Found a better deal? We'll match it!
24/7 Customer Support
Speak to our travel experts anytime, anywhere.
ClubMiles Rewards
Stack points & airline miles to save.
Easy Cancellations
Convenient options online and 24/7 global concierge.
Recommended for your next trip
Based on popular routes and current airfare deals
Popular El Al Routes
Most searched El Al flights from Tel Aviv
International Routes
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
El Al Hub Airport
El Al operates through its Tel Aviv hub, connecting Israel to destinations across North America, Europe, and Asia.
El Al Cabin Classes
Find the right El Al cabin for your journey and budget — from affordable Economy to premium Business.
Economy
- ✓Complimentary kosher meals on all flights
- ✓Seatback entertainment on long-haul aircraft
- ✓23kg checked baggage included
- ✓USB power at most seats
- ✓Earn Matmid Club points
Premium Economy
- ✓Extra legroom and wider seat
- ✓Priority check-in and boarding
- ✓Enhanced meal service
- ✓32kg checked baggage included
- ✓Dedicated cabin on long-haul jets
Business
- ✓Lie-flat seating on long-haul aircraft
- ✓Priority security and boarding
- ✓Premium kosher dining service
- ✓El Al lounge access at Ben Gurion
- ✓40kg checked baggage allowance
Matmid Club
Matmid Club is El Al's frequent flyer program. Earn points on El Al flights and select partner airlines; redeem for flight rewards, upgrades, and extra baggage allowance across El Al's network.
Elite Status Tiers
Matmid Club offers multiple tiers that unlock priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and bonus point earning on El Al flights.
Partner Airline Earning
Members can earn and redeem points on select partner airlines in addition to El Al, extending the program's reach beyond Israel's direct network.
Lounge Access
Business Class passengers and top-tier Matmid Club members access El Al lounges at Ben Gurion Airport before departure.
Priority Security Screening
Elite Matmid Club members benefit from expedited check-in and security processing, valuable given El Al's thorough screening procedures.
El Al Baggage Policy
Fees and allowances vary by route and fare type. Always verify at time of booking.
| Bag / Policy | Economy | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | 8 kg | 8 kg | 8 kg |
| 1st checked bag | 23 kg | 32 kg | 32 kg |
| 2nd checked bag | Fee | 23 kg included | 32 kg included |
| Matmid elite bonus | Additional bag (higher tiers) | Additional bag (higher tiers) | Additional bag (higher tiers) |
El Al baggage allowances vary by route and fare class. Matmid Club elite members receive enhanced allowances. Verify at elal.com.
Check-In Options & Boarding
Online Check-In
Opens 48 hours before departure at elal.com or the El Al app. Given El Al's extensive security procedures, international travelers are strongly advised to arrive well ahead of standard recommended times.
Mobile App Check-In
The El Al app provides mobile boarding passes, flight status updates, and security screening guidance ahead of your trip.
Airport Check-In
Check-in and security screening at Ben Gurion Airport can take longer than at other airports due to El Al's rigorous procedures — arrive at least 3 hours before international departure.
Cancellation & Change Policy
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation
All FaresAll El Al tickets can be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later.
Change Policy
Fare DependentFlexible El Al fares allow date and route changes for a reduced fee; Standard fares carry higher change fees plus any fare difference.
Non-Refundable Ticket Credit
Non-RefundableCancelling a non-refundable El Al ticket after the 24-hour window typically results in a travel credit rather than a cash refund.
Refundable Fares
Flex FaresFully refundable fare types are available at a premium and provide maximum flexibility for travelers with uncertain plans.
In-Flight Experience on El Al
Kosher Dining
El Al serves kosher meals as standard across all cabins, with premium multi-course dining in Business Class.
Inflight Entertainment
Seatback entertainment systems on El Al's long-haul aircraft offer movies, TV shows, and music for international routes.
Rigorous Security
El Al is known for among the most extensive security procedures of any airline, giving many travelers added peace of mind.
No Sabbath Flights
El Al does not operate flights from Friday evening to Saturday evening or on major Jewish holidays — a distinctive scheduling practice worth planning around.
Tips to Book Cheap El Al Flights
- 1.El Al TLV–JFK and TLV–LAX non-stop routes are among the most direct ways to connect Israel and the US — compare against United and Delta for the same city pairs.
- 2.Plan travel dates around El Al's Sabbath schedule — the airline does not operate flights from Friday evening to Saturday evening or on major Jewish holidays.
- 3.Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport at least 3 hours before international departure to allow time for El Al's thorough security screening.
- 4.Business Class on El Al's long-haul routes can offer good value compared to European or US carriers on the same city pairs.
- 5.Book 8–10 weeks ahead of Jewish holidays (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot) when demand and fares to Tel Aviv rise significantly.
- 6.Matmid Club members should register early to start earning points, since elite status unlocks meaningful priority benefits at Ben Gurion.
- 7.Compare El Al against layover options via European hubs, since El Al's non-stop routes can save significant travel time despite occasionally higher fares.
- 8.Use FareOptic to track El Al fare trends on your route, especially around Israeli and Jewish holiday travel periods.
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking El Al Israel Airlines flights on FareOptic
Does El Al operate flights on Shabbat?
No. El Al historically does not operate flights from Friday evening to Saturday evening (the Jewish Sabbath) or on major Jewish holidays, in keeping with its identity as Israel's national carrier. Travelers should plan connections and itineraries around this schedule, especially on Israel-bound routes.
Why is El Al known for strict security procedures?
El Al is widely regarded as having among the most rigorous security procedures of any commercial airline, including extensive passenger screening and interviews. This reputation stems from decades of operating as Israel's flag carrier in a region with heightened security concerns, and it is a genuinely distinctive part of the El Al travel experience.
What is the Matmid Club?
Matmid Club is El Al's frequent flyer program. Members earn points on El Al flights and select partner airlines, redeemable for flight rewards, upgrades, and additional baggage allowance, with elite tiers unlocking priority services and lounge access.
What cabin classes does El Al offer?
El Al offers Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. Business Class on long-haul routes features lie-flat seating and premium kosher dining, while Premium Economy offers extra legroom and enhanced service between Economy and Business.
What are El Al's main routes?
El Al operates primarily from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to major cities in North America and Europe, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Rome, along with long-haul routes to Asia. TLV serves as its primary and essentially only hub.
Is meal service on El Al kosher?
Yes. El Al serves kosher meals as standard across its cabins, reflecting its role as Israel's national airline, in addition to accommodating other dietary requirements on request.