I just thought this was too funny not to share. It appears that a cat got stranded in the cockpit of an EL-AL Boeing 737-900…for two weeks! Cat Shreds El Al 737 Cockpit Check out these pictures: הבוקר ציצתי...
What Israel-Morocco Peace Deal Means For El Al + Royal Air Maroc
The Abraham Accords have led to another historic agreement, this time between Israel and Morocco. The latest peace agreement has tremendous implications for El Al and Royal Air Maroc. El AL + Royal Air Maroc Plan Nonstop Service Between...
A Historic Day For EL AL, Israel, UAE, And Saudi Arabia
As a traveler who loves the Middle East and prays for peace in the Holy Land, I was elated to see an EL AL 737 land in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The historic first flight marks another milestone in warming...
EL-AL Accepts Bailout, Faces Nationalization
EL AL Israel Airlines has accepted a bailout worth $400 million from the government that will likely give Israel a majority stake in its flag carrier. EL AL Bailout Details The bailout includes: $250 million government-backed loan – Israel...
EL AL Suspends All Operations
EL AL Israel Airlines has suspended all operations until further notice. All aircraft have been ordered back to Israel. EL AL Suspends Operations Yesterday, EL AL announced it lost $140 million during the first quarter of 2020. Pilots are...
As EL AL Warns Of Collapse, Israel Promises Support
The spread of COVID-19 has not been kind to EL AL, which is laying off workers and warning off an imminent collapse. But the Israeli government has publicly pledged to step in with support, if required. EL AL Warns...
EL AL 777-200 From Newark Makes Emergency Landing In Halifax
An EL AL flight diverted to Halifax after the smell of smoke filled the rear of the Boeing 777-200. But this was more than just a delay…it was another logistics challenge as Sabbath quickly approached. LY26 departed Newark on...
So Cool: Final EL AL 747 Flight
Yesterday, EL AL operated its final Boeing 747-400 flight. The sendoff included a “special” routing enroute from Tel Aviv to Rome. Via Flightradar 24, take a look at the flight path of LY1747. The 747 “drew” a 747 over the...
EL AL Foreshadows A Horrible, Valueless Airline Loyalty Program
EL AL Israel Airlines is moving from the absurd to the insane…and without advance notice. EL AL either has a very high self-esteem or considers its Matmid loyalty customers to be a bunch of suckers. Redemption values have been...
Why I’m Thrilled Qantas Is Now An American Express Transfer Partner
American Express Membership Rewards added Qantas as its latest airline transfer partner. That news is spectacular to me personally for many reasons, but for one reason in particular. First, points will transfer on 1:1 basis with no federal excise...
Is EL AL Spreading Rumors Of Air India’s Collapse?
Air India has a message it wants to make loud and clear: we are not on the verge of collapse. But if you’ve been reading newspapers lately in Israel, you may have been told otherwise. In an interesting story...
The Good That Came From The Delayed EL AL Flight
The greatest joys in life often come from the way human beings face unexpected hardship together. I wrote yesterday about the delayed EL AL flight from New York that ultimately diverted to Athens in order for observant passengers to...
Did Passengers Attack EL AL Flight Attendants Over Sabbath Delay?
Shameful duplicity on the part of EL AL? Proven. Restrained conduct by most passenger onboard? Proven. But did a small group of passengers physically attack flight attendants on EL AL when it became clear that their flight would land in...
EL AL Loses Market Share, Posts Loss
Israeli flag carrier EL AL just reported a disappointing quarterly loss and faces intense competition in the TLV market. EL AL blamed rising jet fuel prices and higher employee salaries for its $29.7MN fourth quarter loss. While revenue grew...
EL AL’s “Supernatural” Safety Video
EL AL is out with a clever new safety video that involves a bit of magic and a bit of slight of hand. I’ll give the airline credit for creating a gripping safety video. Watch the video first: I’m...
Two Reasons I May Start Collecting Citi ThankYou Points
Up to this point I have resisted collecting Citi ThankYou points. But two unique airline transfer partners are causing me to rethink the decision. Citi partners with Turkish Airlines and Qantas. Both provide narrow value and yet may nevertheless be...
EL AL’s Beautiful New 787 Dreamliner: Pictures + Video
EL AL has unveiled its new 787 Dreamliner that will become the core of its longhaul fleet. With 16 orders on the way (nine 787-9 and seven 787-8), EL AL will finally have a competitive business class product. The initial renderings...
Is Electronics Ban an Attempt by Israel to Undermine Gulf Carriers?
I’m just going to come out and say I put little very little stock in this Al-Jazeera news piece (for reasons I will defend), but the innuendo is too enticing not to explore. The New York Times reports that...
Kosher Fish Lunch on EL AL: ZRH-TLV on LY348
For Matthew’s Meal of the Week this week, I recall my first — and to date only — flight on EL AL, the national airline of Israel. EL AL often get a bad rap, and for good reason. Not...
