The only new things that El Al needs to inaugurate are cheaper fares. Everything else is just a waste of time as the Israeli public has already learned that it is cheaper and just as safe security wise to travel on much cheaper airlines, airlines which respect their customers.

Big deal, new plans but likely same atrocious customer service. I had my laptop case cracked (I was told I could not bring it aboard the plane, a 10 year old Powerbook), had to pull down my pants before boarding the plane (after being cleared by TSA), and in spite of having a 1 year visa they made me purchase a ticket back home which they then credited back to the wrong credit card number after I asked for a refund. I ended up with my money back and learned the hard way not to fly on "Hell Al."

I found in the last couple of years ELAL is actually cheaper than some of the big boys like British Airways. If you want budget airlines like EasyJet then for sure it will be cheaper than ELAL but I think the current prices are fairly competitive at least on some routes... not cheap but competitive It is certainly understandable why ELAL is so much more expensive considering they spend so much more on security so there is only so much they can lower their cost by anyway. They can be though a pain in the neck, twice I have been taken into the back for the more intensive questioning and a search.

coach is probably harsher on the tusch and tighter squeezed than ever b4. a shame elal's corporate behavior 2wards its customers (frequent flier, "special" rates, etc) is so cynical. the cabin crew, which is probably among the best up there, is going to be the first to suffer when they suddenly realize nobody's flying them any more.

If you would read the "Open Skies" Agreement, you will see that the government picks up over 90% of the security costs. What is wrong with using the low-cost airlines. Are you afraid of missing a most delicious (ugh) meal on El Al. Can't you manage to arrange your meals so that you don't need one on the plane. Are you afraid of getting a smile from a stewardess, because you certainly won't get one on El Al.

I regularly travel from the UK to Israel, and have always found EL AL to have the lowest fare. The service I have received from their call centre staff, Check in staff, security staff and those on-board to be very pleasent an helpfull. The flight has been comfortable with no problems at all. After receiving such good service from them over the years I wouldn't consider another carrier.

hell -al is a waste of space. When free skies begin, their raison d'etra will disappear. They won't be able to compete with efficient carriers. Easyjet / Ryanair will be far cheaper. Luftahansa and BA will provide better service.

As much as I prefer other airlines for their better customer service, more odern fleet, superior amenities, etc, I still do not want to see El Al go down. At the end of teh day they are the flag carrier of Israel. They need to change their structure and approach in order to survive.

People that complain about elal are funny and probably not so frequent travellers on the international skies. Because El Al offers a far superior service than most Airlines. In the united states for instence you can travel coast to coast without getting a meal on any of the major airlines. El Al serves plenty of foods and drinks and even in coach wine and beer are complimentary. Israelis who praise European "budget" airlines don't know what they are talking about. Because one thing is sure: with all the fees Ryanair & co. are anything but cheap! Ryanair even charges for checking in on top of ridiculous lying high luggage, credit card and booking fees. And the underpaid staff of ryanair is even instructed to be unfriendly to the customers. To europe El Al offers very fair prices with everything included. Believe me, if you fly "low cost" you end up spending more on airport restaurants and transportation from second class provincial airports far from your destination. Israelis are used to a good service (just compare the avarage tel aviv restaurant staff with European rude waiters) and the many special requests of fellow israeli Travellers (pillows, blankets, "can i have a second meal, i am still hungry" etc. )are something no other airline would put up to with a smile. I see the german flight attendents and how they roll their eyes cwhen israeli pasengers ask for something thateEuropean airlines dont provide for free like el al (headphones for example). Israelis are just more forgiving with foreign airlines. But lets get real: El Al is a great tiny Airline with good service, fair prices and exceptional staff.

#7 EL AL much better than LH pr BA or all the other. Have been flying with them since 1962.

Why do you still believe the myth continuing to be put out by them, that they are Israel's Flag Carrier. El Al is a privately owned company just like Arkia and Israir. Just because they have an Israeli flag somewhere on the fuselage doesn't mean that they are THE Flag Carrier.