El Al: Israel's Flag Carrier on Security, Routes and Passenger Reviews

History and positioning

Founded in 1948, El Al was born as the national air link of a country that has historically faced specific threats to aviation security, a factor that has shaped the airline's entire operating model from the very beginning.

Security

Security measures include passenger profiling and in-depth interviews, armed guards on board, reinforced cockpit doors and, on part of the fleet, countermeasure systems against missile threats: a level of protection that goes well beyond that of most other carriers, a direct legacy of past hijackings and terrorist threats against Israeli aviation.

The fleet

It operates Boeing 737s for short and medium-haul flying and Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul, having retired the old 747s and 767s in recent years as part of a broader fleet renewal.

Routes and network

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion is its only hub, with long-haul routes to North America (New York, Los Angeles, Miami) and Asia, alongside a dense European network; operations have been interrupted several times by regional security events, a structural risk that is more pronounced for this carrier than for most competitors.

What passengers say

Among the most appreciated aspects in reviews are the perceived sense of safety and communication judged effective during disruptions linked to regional events; among the most frequent complaints are boarding times longer than average because of the extra checks, and fares seen as higher than those of competitors on comparable routes.

The ideal passenger flies to or from Israel and values the airline's security track record, accepting longer pre-flight checks. It is not the right choice for anyone in a hurry who wants the fastest possible path through the airport. Practical tip: arrive at the airport earlier than you would for a standard international flight, because El Al's security interviews and checks consistently take longer than ordinary check-in, and arriving at the last minute risks missing the flight.