EL AL’s longhaul product will be getting a much needed overhaul soon, as the airline will start taking delivery of their first of 16 Boeing 787 aircraft.
For years EL AL has had a terribly outdated onboard product, though their new 787s will finally feature a business class product with direct aisle access from every seat. I first wrote about these seats in early June, which look very similar to United’s new 777-300ER Polaris seats.
For their 787s, EL AL will be eliminating first class and instead adding a premium economy product, which seems like a fair change, given that their new business class hard product is better than their old first class.
As I wrote about at the time, it was rumored that EL AL would first fly the 787s to London, then Newark, and then Hong Kong. Well, that’s now official, as EL AL has published their first 787 routes. EL AL has now scheduled 787 service on the following dates and routes, via @airlineroute:
- Between Tel Aviv and London Heathrow as of September 12, 2017 (the frequencies vary, so you’ll want to look at the schedule to see which flights are operated by the plane)
- Between Tel Aviv and Newark as of October 29, 2017 (6x weekly, and 11x weekly as of March 25, 2018)
- Between Tel Aviv and Hong Kong as of March 18, 2018 (6x weekly)
I’ve been wanting to visit Israel and also review EL AL, so was going to wait for the 787 to go into service. Now that it’s scheduled, it’s time for me to start planning.
Unfortunately EL AL doesn’t have all that many airline partners nowadays, though EL AL’s frequent flyer program is transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards. EL AL has a good number of flights with awards seats in these markets, though often there’s just one seat per flight on the 787, it looks like.
In terms of one-way business class award prices:
- Tel Aviv to London costs 47,500 Membership Rewards points
- Tel Aviv to Newark costs 112,500 Membership Rewards points
- Tel Aviv to Hong Kong costs 115,000 Membership Rewards points
Anyone planning on flying EL AL’s new 787 business class?
You're right about El Al, very outdated interior. I flew their 777-200 business class from CDG-TLV last week. You will love Israel! I'm here for the next 8 days and besides the July heat, there really is so many amazing things to do. I can't wait to hear your 787 review!
So awesome. I hope they add it to LAX too. Youll LOVE Israel. It's less Dubai luxury and more history & beautiful sights.
I guess BRU deserves a 787 as well no? Pretty high yield flights for El-Al
Work permitting, I'm planning on flying in business TLV-LHR on September 12 :-)
Tentative way back would be on their 747 on September 16, which would provide a very interesting contrast against their new product (although +1 coolness bonus for flying on the upper deck of a 747!).
You should definitely make sure your ex-TLV leg is with El Al so you can review the King David Lounge -- El Al's two-floor flagship lounge,...
Work permitting, I'm planning on flying in business TLV-LHR on September 12 :-)
Tentative way back would be on their 747 on September 16, which would provide a very interesting contrast against their new product (although +1 coolness bonus for flying on the upper deck of a 747!).
You should definitely make sure your ex-TLV leg is with El Al so you can review the King David Lounge -- El Al's two-floor flagship lounge, which offers massages and a special cigar smoking lounge within-a-lounge, among other things.
Also, although there indeed was a deval for certain long-haul redemptions, they actually will be reducing the number of points needed for certain European destinations as of October 29 -- including London and Amsterdam.
Drop me a line if you think you'll somehow be on the September 12 flight!
Izzy makes a valid point, you should definitely fly it out of TLV so you can review their lounge, even get a massage by the Carmel Forest Spa, etc... I will even recommend a VIP service you can use upon arrival & departure to fast track you along security. email me if interested.
Lucky why didn't you go on Birthright?
Seems like a lot of hassle just to get a glatt kosher meal. :)
Plz fly it from TLV , so you can review the King David Lounge in TLV. Their EWR situation is nothing much, they use the Art & Lounge outside security.
Lucky, the award rates are cheaper once you become Elal 'executive' this is easily obtained by transferring 5k amex to LY
@ High end hobo -- This pricing was based on the "executive" cost (it looks like they've just devalued some of their award pricing).