The morning of my flight to London I got a phone call from EL AL asking if I wanted a car to the airport. I didn’t realize this was something that was available on award tickets, though based on looking at the terms on EL AL’s website it appears like this is available to full fare passengers and those traveling on award tickets, which is pretty awesome. I asked to be picked up at 12:30PM. The person on the phone said that’s earlier than I needed to go, but I said I wanted to have extra time at the airport.
I had also noticed that morning that EL AL apparently has a spa in their lounge that you can pre-book, so I asked about availability. While the agent said he had no immediate slots available, he’d see what he could do.
Sure enough, a Mercedes arrived at 12:30PM sharp. The drive to the airport took just under 30 minutes, and there was a security check to even enter the airport premises.
EL AL first class chauffeur service
Upon arrival at the airport I was met by an EL AL employee, who escorted me towards check-in. Before you can even get to check-in you have to go through questioning. Rather than having separate security questioning at each check-in counter, there’s a centralized checkpoint where passengers of all airlines are questioned. Fortunately there’s a separate premium line, so I didn’t have to wait.
I had a fascinating experience and ended up having to go through secondary, which I wrote about in a separate post. EL AL’s first & business class check-in is located to the right of Terminal 3, and is partitioned off from the rest of the terminal.
EL AL first & business class check-in
While the check-in process was quick, what took a while was waiting for the security agent to show up to give me secondary screening.
EL AL first & business class check-in
Once he showed up I went through passport control (which was automated) and then through security, and then I was airside. An EL AL employee escorted me to the King David Lounge, which was quite a haul from the check-in area.
Ben Gurion Airport terminal
Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport is quite nice.
Ben Gurion Airport terminal
EL AL’s King David Lounge is located in Concourse D, across from gate D1. It was about a 10 minute walk from security.
Ben Gurion Airport terminal
EL AL King David Lounge exterior
EL AL King David Lounge signage
Inside the entrance was a reception desk, with the business class lounge to the left and the first class lounge to the right.
EL AL King David Lounge reception
EL AL’s first class lounge was small but beautiful. It consisted of one main long room, with a bunch of seating options.
EL AL first class lounge Tel Aviv Airport
EL AL first class lounge Tel Aviv Airport
Towards the back of the main room were a couple of dining tables.
EL AL first class lounge Tel Aviv Airport
In the very back of the lounge was a separate room with some couches and massage chairs. While the door was open, presumably it could be closed if someone wanted privacy (then again, given that I had the lounge to myself, I think I had plenty of privacy).
EL AL first class lounge Ben Gurion Airport
EL AL first class lounge Ben Gurion Airport
EL AL first class lounge Ben Gurion Airport
EL AL first class lounge massage chair Ben Gurion Airport
Then along the side of the lounge were a couple of smaller rooms with TVs.
EL AL first class lounge Ben Gurion Airport
EL AL first class lounge Ben Gurion Airport
There were also a couple of small business centers.
EL AL first class lounge business center Ben Gurion Airport
EL AL first class lounge business center Ben Gurion Airport
There were several food & drink stations throughout the first class lounge. Near the entrance was a station with self serve liquor and wine.
EL AL first class lounge drinks Ben Gurion Airport
The wine selection consisted mostly of Israeli options, which I was happy about, as I had great experience with the wine in the country.
EL AL first class lounge wine Ben Gurion Airport
Then there was a selection of liquor, which wasn’t terribly inspiring.
EL AL first class lounge liquor Ben Gurion Airport
Near the liquor was a cute little drink cart.
EL AL first class lounge TLV
The entire lounge had windows overlooking the apron and the air traffic control tower.
EL AL first class lounge view TLV
EL AL first class lounge view TLV
Then there was a fridge with juice, soft drinks, water, beer, etc. I was happy to see that they had the choice of San Pellegrino and Perrier (San Pellegrino is my non-alcoholic drink of choice).
EL AL first class lounge drink selection Ben Gurion Airport
The main buffet was near the center of the lounge.
EL AL first class lounge buffet TLV
There were two display carts just outside the main buffet area, with hummus, guacamole, cheese, salmon, hardboiled eggs, etc.
EL AL first class lounge food selection TLV
EL AL first class lounge food selection TLV
Then the buffet itself had a glass display case with refrigerated items, including juice, desserts, salad, etc.
EL AL first class lounge buffet TLV
EL AL first class lounge food selection TLV
EL AL first class lounge food selection TLV
Then there were all kinds of pastries, muffins, bread, soup, a coffee machine, etc.
EL AL first class lounge food selection TLV
EL AL first class lounge soup TLV
EL AL first class lounge coffee machine TLV
The lounge had a couple of private bathrooms. While there was no shower in the first class lounge, the business class lounge has one in the spa area.
EL AL first class lounge bathroom TLV
For the first two hours I was in the lounge I was the only passenger. It sort of reminded me of when I flew the Etihad Residence, as I literally had the space to myself. There was a lovely attendant in the lounge who looked after me and constantly checked if I needed anything. I ordered a glass of the sauvignon blanc, and was offered nuts to go along with it.
EL AL first class lounge wine & nuts TLV
EL AL first class lounge wine TLV
She also asked if I wanted to have a meal. I’m not sure if there’s a separate menu, or something, but I was saving my appetite for onboard.
I spent some time in the lounge getting caught up on work, and at around 3:15PM was fetched and told that they were ready for me in the spa. I had asked about this on the phone earlier, so I was thrilled that they were able to confirm a treatment for me. The spa is located in the business class lounge on the second level, so it was just a short walk away.
For what it’s worth, the spa is open Sundays through Thursdays between 3:30PM and 10:30PM, and you can reserve a treatment by calling +972 (73) 216 0449. Reservations can be made between 8AM and 12PM daily on Sundays through Thursdays, so in the future I’d be sure to reserve a treatment in advance.
EL AL lounge spa
EL AL has proper treatment rooms in their spa, and I had an incredible 20 minute massage. This isn’t one of those massages where you sit in one of those uncomfortable chairs, but rather you take your shirt off, and they can use oil depending on your preferences.
EL AL lounge spa room
While at the spa I also had the chance to check out the shower rooms, which were nice.
EL AL lounge shower
EL AL lounge shower
Once back in the lounge they confirmed with me that I wanted to board last, which they said was the standard for first class passengers. I was happy they asked, since I asked if it would be possible to board first, in order to get some pictures. They said they’d see what they could do. Sure enough, 10 minutes later there was a golf cart waiting to take me to the plane, and I was the first person onboard, at around 4:20PM.
EL AL first class lounge bottom line
I came into my EL AL experience with low expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. No, EL AL’s first class lounge isn’t one of the top first class lounges in the world. However, it’s a solid lounge that affords a lot of privacy, has tasty snacks and attentive service, and getting a 20 minute massage was awesome as well. On top of that, the chauffeur service to the airport was a nice treat.
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