Review: EL AL Business Class 787 Newark To Tel Aviv

Did you get to visit the capital while you were in Israel?

El Al has has premium economy on their 747s 777s and 767s for as long as I can remember.

@EbonyTates, he said he was en route to Jerusalem within 20 minutes.

Hard product on the 787 looks great. The soft product looks very sub-par.

@ Michael Eden -- They have extra legroom economy on other planes (as far as I know), though not premium economy. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The breakfast pastries served from the aluminum dish look tacky. Couldn't they have at least removed the aluminum prior to service?

Hard product looks good though.

For those of us who aren't famous bloggers whose crews are pre-briefed for hours, we get nothing but cattle car treatment on elal, even in business class. in fact, i was once forcibly removed from business class because a coach passenger had self upgraded into my seat and threw an apoplectic rage fit, so rather than delay the flight more than the 3h it was already delayed (or get her off the plane!), they stuck me in her seat in back, then midway through the flight offered me a $100 travel voucher in compensation.

Hi Lucky,

Genuine question and not taking a swipe at all. I am just curious - when you travel with an airline do you notify the airlines PR people that you are travelling and a blogger?

Many Thanks DL

What's the difference between seltzer water and sparkling water?

Normally I doubt most airlines know who you are but El AL - yeah they knew who you were. Their security checks assuredly found your blog, your Rolling Stone profile etc.... There is a reason when Richard Reed flew El Al they checked his shoes, seated him in the last row and put an air marshall next to him. But the hard product looks nice and food certainly seems acceptable for business class.

@Lucky, you are right. The old planes have "economy plus", not "premium economy". Big difference.

P. S. Great post. Perhaps you can remove the immodest picture of the "bride wars" movie? I really wanted to share this post with many of my Jewish (religious) friends who would greatly appreciate this review, but I don't think it would be appropriate to forward with this photo. Just a thought....

I'm not very good at plane-spotting...is that a SAS A340?

I love the faux wood finishes on the seats. Even though I know it's a very thin veneer at best and a giant sticker at worst, I think it makes the cabin look much more elegant than, say, the bland office-buildling-like look of grey/dark grey/blue like on AA. China Airlines' faux wood (or veneers) is beautifully executed. This looks great, too. The neutral earth tones look very sharp.

I also appreciate it when the FAs kneel or crouch to talk to you, as seen in one of the pictures. I think it shows a desire to properly communicate versus just shouting questions at passengers from on high. I wonder if El Al added some new customer service training to the mix when they got the new plane. You know, new plane, new seats, new YOU!

@Y K:

Legitimate question, but what's immodest about the cover photo for Bride Wars? I see Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway standing next to each other holding glasses. What in Judaic law/practice is immodest about that?

So is everything on the menu kosher?

Jim, yes, all the food and wines are kosher.

@ Y K — If they think that picture is immodest, then they don't deserve to be on the internet, let alone this blog. Good lord, how sheltered and conservative can they be if that would offend them?

@Dan think you mean Richard Reid unless they have something against smoothies.

@AdamR,

I think it is the uncovered shoulders.

@ AdamR
"I also appreciate it when the FAs kneel or crouch to talk to you, as seen in one of the pictures. I think it shows a desire to properly communicate versus just shouting questions at passengers from on high."

Strange: that's one of my big pet hates. I know Lucky also likes it when FAs kneel at his feet, but I really don't want people grovelling on the floor to talk to me. I'm not a medieval potentate with a Narcissism complex, or an old sweaty businessman who needs young women to act subserviently to me.

Keep it professional. Stay standing.

He did visit the capital, Tel Aviv. Which is clearly the political and world-recognized capital of this criminal land.

Love it, cant wait to try it next year!

Lucky thanks for the review I only flew elal once on economy plus but had booked it with very low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised at the service although product left alot to be desired the crew genuinely tried to please and was very courteous which came as a shocker given what I always thought of Israeli customer service so I'm not surprised at your review in addition Ithe security is definitely a step above the TSA

@Pauly - go cry a river you fascist.

@Lucky: Is it possible to book this flight the way you did (meaning departing from toronto) and skipping the flight on porter airlines and therefore starting in newark or will the booking be canceled?

Thanks,
Noah,
you never contacted me for advice and tips before the trip
Great review! can't wait to try it myself now after many years of intentionally avoiding elal

A coffee note - espresso might taste “stronger” because it’s a more concentrated viscous liquid, but filter coffee will have more caffeine. Two reasons: water is in contact with coffee grounds much longer (20 seconds for espresso vs a few minutes for filter coffee), and usually espresso will have a high percentage of Arabica coffee (mostly it’s 100% actually for above average brands like Illy), which has less caffeine than Robusta coffee which is mostly used for American coffee.

Air Israel you are not clear for takeoff exit the runway and wait your turn.

I agree the wood veneer looks very "smart". But unless it's a very thick veneer, I wonder if the heavily worn horizontal surfaces won't start to wear and expose the plastic underneath? That's why you don't see it much on the tops of tables - it looks terrible when it wears through.

Wow - I love following travels - all of the branded ELAL items (such as the glassware) and the Israeli wines featured on this 787 flight are exciting - a different reality from your recent flights on Hawaiian Airlines; appreciate your frank insights always - safe and happy travels

Adi is not only a Purser, he's LY's Chief Flight Attendant - and for good reason! He's simply the best!

I used to fly on El Al's 707s and 720s.
As I recall, even in coach (which was 98% of the cabin) the food was very good. They gave you more food than Air France and TWA.
Alas, I haven't flown LY since September of 1970.
I should give them another try.

I would be interested to hear about El Al's security at Newark. I've only flown on El Al once, from Germany to Tel Aviv and that was back in the 1970s. The security was extraordinary, so I'm interested to know about El Al's additional security (over and above TSA) in the U.S.

As someone who's only travelled business class once - are the 787 seats fully reclining, i.e. completely flat? You refer to wiggle room and not being able to sleep on your side...

The flight-attendant allowed herself watching movie with elevated feet on seats of business class passengers during her working time between the servings, even though the flight was only 4 hours. She has not even bothered to stand up to let the passenger to pass from a window seat to toilet. Business class passengers pay for the services and not for the arrogant behavior.

Looks like a great flight with El Al. Awesome that you were able to get on the Dreamliner!

Air Israel! Please clear the runway!

[only a select few will get this].

Took must first EL AL flight in 1962 on a Boeing 720B from London to New York; last one in 1992 from Zurich to Tel Aviv in a 757. They were excellent; good food, nice crews and comfortable. My grandmother had a picture boarding a Curtis in 1950 to Cyprus.

Just FYI.
"Air Israel! Please clear the runway!" is taken from the 1980 comedy "AIrplane!". Funny scene.