As far as international airlines go, EL AL must have some of the most underwhelming premium cabin products in the world. Just a few years ago EL AL introduced a new first class product… which doesn’t even feature direct aisle access from every seat. The product looks more like a subpar business class than a…
Continue reading: FINALLY: EL AL’s 787s Will Have A New Business Class Product!!!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
What about seat rows 1-8, wouldn't that be for F class? Seems J is only starting from row 9.
@ Izz -- A lot of airlines don't start their seat numbering at row one, especially when they don't have first class.
Be right back. Microwaving some popcorn for the garbage fire comments section that is about to ensue.
I've only flown El Al once, in economy on a 747 between JFK and Tel Aviv. As Lucky's article indicates, it was like going back in time. Hopefully their 787s will offer an improved customer experience (in all classes).
Some of the other carriers in the region went way over the top with their premium products in a way that showed a complete disregard for profitability while El Al went the other direction and showed a complete disregard for remaining competitive in business class. What is odd is that Israel is much more of a business destination than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Tel Aviv's tech scene is pretty vibrant and then there is the related military hardware/software business. Yet, all the people I know flying from the USA to Israel in business or first, have taken take UA/ DL or AA or connected through Istanbul. This seems like a long overdue upgrade
@ Dan
I don't think this will let El Al pick up the people flying UA / AA / DL as I'm sure a good chunk of those flyers are on those carriers due to Fly America restrictions
It definitely does make a lot of sense that you would wait to try out LY's new business class, but at the same time I think part of the reason there was so much demand for an LY trip report was that there really aren't any in depth trip reports on LY's current business/first class. While the trip report on the new product will be interesting, I think it would have been neat to get a trip report on the old product to see just how bad it really is (which will also give a greater contrast to the new product.)
Met an El Al rep a few weeks ago, and he said that they will likely put the 787 on the TLV-LAX route.
Position to Europe or something, fly 747 business to TLV and then fly to Los Angeles on 787 business! Could throw in Kuwait first class somewhere...
@RC - the people I know flying to Israel for work are employed by American tech companies that do not have Fly American rules. Most have wide discretion in choosing their airlines and few travel enough to be loyal to any one carrier.
Certain companies and the government do have those regulations. However, I believe it is less important for the government since they do not fly their people upfront.
LY definitely won't be operating the above, nor should they as it's over Shabbos.
Putting the 789 on the TLV-LAX route is smart, they currently operate one of their worst 772 configurations to that route.
I doubt they will make the configuration 1-2-1 when even their refreshed F is 2-2-2 but we will live and see...
Good news for those up front. But the 15 hour TLV-LAX flight on a 9 across 787 will be awful.
@Josh Agreed, the 777-200 plying the route right now is actually 3-3-3 meaning that the aisles are wider and the seats are wider. It is like United new 777-300er, the business class is miles better, but the economy is a lot worse.
i can't speak for others, but i enjoy the bad reviews more than the good ones. i was really looking forward to you destroying their first class. maybe you can do two reviews, one of their current first and one of their new business?
Im sad to dissapoint you, stinky El Al still arent changing the seat type, upgrade it, but same seating. just search on youtube "el al buisness class" and youll find a video from el al
I flew ElAl first class from TLV-JFK. A total embarrassment when comparing this flight service. food, aircraft etc to Lufthansa, BA or Air France first class.
The bathroom was in business class and was locked unless a flight attendant opened it. Breakfast on the overnight flight was inedible.
I will only fly Delta business class to and from TLV..a much better product.