Israel · Founded 1948
El Al Business Class
El Al is Israel's flag carrier, founded in 1948, known for industry-leading security and direct non-stop flights from multiple US cities to Tel Aviv. The 787-9/787-8 fleet carries a genuine lie-flat pod business class; the older 777-200ER originally had a dated 2-3-2 layout that has been reconfigured on some, not all, of those aircraft. Four Boeing 787-10s are on order for future fleet growth.
- From
- $2,120
- Max savings
- 60%
- Rating
- 4.4★*
- Fleet
- 3 types
Last updated
Quick answers
At a glance
What is El Al business class?
El Al Business Class — 787 fleet: lie-flat pods, 1-2-1, direct aisle access. 777-200ER: originally 2-3-2 (dated); reconfigured to modern seating on some, not all, aircraft. Seat width 21 inches (787), length 78 inches (787).
How much can I save on El Al?
Consolidator fares from $2,120 — about 60% below published retail. You earn full Matmid Frequent Flyer Club (relaunched Sept 2023 with points-only award redemption; new "Diamonds" status currency added) miles.
Which lounges does El Al use?
King David Lounge (TLV). Worldwide: Contract lounges at JFK, LAX, and other US airports.
The Airline
About El Al
A comprehensive look at El Al's premium cabins, service philosophy, route network, and what makes them worth flying.
Airline overview
El Al is Israel's flag carrier, founded in 1948, known for industry-leading security and direct non-stop flights from multiple US cities to Tel Aviv. The 787-9/787-8 fleet carries a genuine lie-flat pod business class; the older 777-200ER originally had a dated 2-3-2 layout that has been reconfigured on some, not all, of those aircraft. Four Boeing 787-10s are on order for future fleet growth.
Founded in 1948, El Al is headquartered in Israel and operates to 49+ destinations across 80+ countries. The fleet is built around Boeing 787-9, Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777-200ER for long-haul operations, with additional narrowbody types on regional routes. El Al operates independently of major global alliances, with select bilateral partnerships for codesharing.
The business class experience
El Al Business Class features 787 fleet: lie-flat pods, 1-2-1, direct aisle access. 777-200ER: originally 2-3-2 (dated); reconfigured to modern seating on some, not all, aircraft. Seat width is 21 inches (787) and fully extended bed length is 78 inches (787) — comfortable for passengers up to about 6'3" (190cm) to sleep fully flat. The seat layout on El Al's long-haul widebody aircraft typically offers direct aisle access for every business class passenger, so you never have to climb over a seatmate.
In-flight entertainment is delivered via Seatback touchscreen IFE, Israeli content library. Dining on El Al: Kosher gourmet cuisine, Israeli wines. Baggage allowance in business class: 2 × 32kg checked. All flights include amenity kits, premium bedding, and priority boarding/baggage handling.
Lounges and ground experience
At the home hub: King David Lounge (TLV). At other airports worldwide: Contract lounges at JFK, LAX, and other US airports. Lounge access is included with your business class ticket — you show your boarding pass at the lounge entrance and receive food, drinks, WiFi, and dedicated workspaces until boarding time.
On the ground at departure, El Al business class passengers get dedicated check-in counters, fast-track security lanes where available, and priority boarding. At arrival, baggage is tagged with priority labels and comes out first — typically saving 15-30 minutes versus economy on heavily-loaded flights.
What travelers say
“Ask which aircraft operates your flight if you're booking the 777 — reconfiguration to modern seating isn't complete across that fleet. The 787 product itself is a genuine, modern lie-flat pod. Kosher dining is a real strength. Non-stop access from multiple US cities is a practical convenience few competitors match on this route.”
— BookMyBusinessClass editorial review
Booking El Al with consolidator fares
Our consolidator contract with El Al gives us access to net fares significantly below published retail — typically 60% savings on business class bookings. These are standard El Al tickets with full frequent flyer mile earning in Matmid Frequent Flyer Club (relaunched Sept 2023 with points-only award redemption; new "Diamonds" status currency added), complete lounge access, standard cancellation rules, and priority handling on both ends of the trip. The only difference is the price.
When you request a quote, we search all available El Al dates and routes for your trip, compare against other carriers that serve the same route, and send you the best option within 15 minutes. No membership required, any service fees disclosed upfront, and you book directly with El Al under your name — we're just the consolidator agency that unlocks wholesale pricing through our host consolidator network.
Cabin Details
Inside El Al business class
Every detail that matters — seat, service, lounge, luggage and miles.
- Cabin name
- El Al Business Class
- Seat type
- 787 fleet: lie-flat pods, 1-2-1, direct aisle access. 777-200ER: originally 2-3-2 (dated); reconfigured to modern seating on some, not all, aircraft
- Seat width
- 21 inches (787)
- Seat length
- 78 inches (787)
- In-flight entertainment
- Seatback touchscreen IFE, Israeli content library
- Dining
- Kosher gourmet cuisine, Israeli wines
- Baggage allowance
- 2 × 32kg checked
- Miles program
- Matmid Frequent Flyer Club (relaunched Sept 2023 with points-only award redemption; new "Diamonds" status currency added)
Home lounge
King David Lounge (TLV)
Lounges at other airports
Contract lounges at JFK, LAX, and other US airports
Hubs
Aircraft types
“Ask which aircraft operates your flight if you're booking the 777 — reconfiguration to modern seating isn't complete across that fleet. The 787 product itself is a genuine, modern lie-flat pod. Kosher dining is a real strength. Non-stop access from multiple US cities is a practical convenience few competitors match on this route.”
Top Routes
Popular El Al business class routes
The most-booked El Al premium routes through our consolidator contracts.
- New York → Tel AvivEl Al Class$2,120from
- Los Angeles → Tel AvivEl Al Class$2,350from
- Miami → Tel AvivEl Al Class$2,200from
- Boston → Tel AvivEl Al Class$2,180from
Fleet
El Al aircraft we book
El Al el al business class on each aircraft type — cabin product, seat configuration, and route examples.
- Boeing 787-9Boeing
The most-deployed long-haul widebody in current production. Cabin pressurization (~6,000 ft) and humidity (10-15%) better than older 777 metal. Composite fuselage allows larger windows.
- Boeing 787-8Boeing
Original 787 variant — shorter than the -9 and -10. Cabin technology is the same. Many carriers retired or downgraded their -8 fleet in favor of -9 deliveries.
- Boeing 777-200ERBoeing
Older 777 variant. American operates with Flagship Business; British Airways with refreshed Club Suite on some -200ER deliveries.
See the full El Al fleet index for cabin-by-aircraft details.
Reference Data
El Al carrier reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| IATA airline code | LY |
| ICAO airline code | ELY |
| Canonical name | EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd. (Wikidata) |
| Country | Israel |
| Founded | 1948 |
| Alliance | Independent / no alliance affiliation |
| Hub airports | Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) |
| Source for canonical fields | Wikidata (CC0) · Q208489 cross-referenced with our editorial catalog |
Canonical airline metadata cross-referenced with Wikidata (CC0). When fields disagree, our editorial catalog is the source of truth for cabin specs, fare data, and ratings; Wikidata is the source of truth for ICAO codes, founding year, and country attribution.
Facts independently verified 2026-08-05
Fleet, route, seat, and lounge facts on this page were checked against 2 independent sources:
Star ratings follow a separate five-source composite methodology — see our ratings & verification methodology.
Related
Explore more
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More on El Al
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about booking El Al business class through our consolidator.
How much is El Al business class?
What seat will I get on El Al?
Which lounges can I use with El Al business class?
Will I earn miles on these fares?
What dining and IFE does El Al offer in business class?
What's the baggage allowance?
Fly El Al business class
From $2,120 — save 60%. Free quote in 15 minutes.