El Al Totally Explained

Everything about El-al totally explained

El Al (skyward) (TASE: ELAL

) is Israel's largest airline and flag carrier. It operates regular international passenger and cargo flights between its hub at Ben Gurion International Airport and destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, as well as domestic connections to Eilat.
Since its inaugural flight from Geneva to Tel Aviv in September 1948 the airline has steadily grown to the point where it now serves 48 destinations on four continents. As the former national carrier of Israel, El Al has played an important role in Israel's humanitarian rescue efforts, airlifting Jews from Ethiopia, Yemen, and other countries where their lives were at risk. The airline holds the world record for the most passengers on a commercial aircraft, a record set by Operation Solomon when Jewish refugees were transported from Ethiopia. El Al is widely acknowledged as the world's most secure airline, after foiling many attempted hijackings and terror attacks through its vigilant security protocols.

History

Early years

In September 1948 Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann, attended a conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Weizmann was scheduled to fly back to Israel in a government aircraft, but due to an embargo imposed on Israel at the time, this wasn't possible. A C-54 military transport aircraft was instead converted into a civilian plane to transport Weizmann home. The aircraft was painted with the El Al/Israel National Aviation Company logo and fitted with extra fuel tanks to enable a non-stop flight from Geneva to Israel. It departed from Ekron Air Base on September 28, and returned to Israel on September 30. After the flight, the aircraft was repainted and returned to military use.
The airline was incorporated and became Israel's official carrier on 15 November 1948, although it used borrowed aircraft until February 1949, when two unpressurised DC-4s were purchased from American Airlines. The acquisition was funded by the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency, and other Jewish organizations. The first plane arrived at Lod Airport on April 3, 1949. Aryeh Pincus, a lawyer from South Africa, was elected head of the company. The first international flight, from Tel Aviv to Paris (refueling in Rome), took place on July 31, 1949. As the national carrier, the airline was involved in several covert operations. In the early 1950s, El Al airlifted over 160,000 immigrants to Israel from India, Iran, Iraq and Yemen as part of Operation Magic Carpet and Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.
In 1955, after using Lockheed Constellations for several years, the airline purchased two Bristol Britannia aircraft. El Al was the second airline in the world to fly this plane, after the British Overseas Airways Corporation. In 1958, El Al ran a newspaper advertisement in the US featuring a picture of a "shrunken" Atlantic Ocean ("Starting Dec. 23, the Atlantic Ocean will be 20% smaller") to promote its non-stop transatlantic flights. This was a bold step: the airline industry had never used images of the ocean in its advertising because of the widespread public fear of airline crashes. The advertisement, which ran only once, proved effective. Within a year, El Al's sales tripled.

Expansion in the 1960s

Despite the purchase of its Britannias and inauguration of non-stop transatlantic flights the airline remained unprofitable. El Al's success continued into the late 1960s. In 1968, regular flights to Bucharest were inaugurated, and cargo flights began to Europe and the USA. The airline also established a catering subsidiary, Teshet Tourism and Aviation Services Ltd. All these ventures brought in a profit of $2 million that year. On December 26 of the same year, two PFLP members attacked an El Al aircraft at Athens Airport, killing an Israeli mechanic. On 18 February 1969, Palestinians attacked an El Al plane at Zurich Airport killing the copilot and injuring the pilot. One Palestinian attacker was killed and others were convicted but later released. Between September and December 1969, bomb and grenade attacks occurred at El Al offices in Athens, West Berlin, and Brussels.

1970s and 1980s

El Al acquired its first Boeing 747 in 1971. Many felt it was a risky purchase, given the high cost of the plane and fear of attacks, but El Al operations flourished after the purchase. Another 747 was delivered in 1973 and was used to inaugurate non-stop service from Tel Aviv to New York. In the air for 13 hours, and flying against prevailing winds, it was recorded as the longest commercial flight in the world.
   Operations resumed in January 1983 under receivership. The government purchased two new Boeing 737 aircraft and announced plans to acquire four Boeing 767 jets at the cost of $200 million. Within four years, El Al was profitable again.
   On 24 May 1991, an El Al Boeing 747 cargo plane airlifted a record-breaking 1,087 Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa to Israel in the framework of Operation Solomon. Two babies were born during the flight. The plane carried twice as many passengers as it was designed for. In less than 36 hours, a total of 14,500 Ethiopian Jews were flown to Israel.
   El Al flights were inaugurated to the Far East and, in 1995, El Al signed its first codesharing agreement with American Airlines. In June 1996, El Al recorded another milestone: its first flight from Israel to Amman, Jordan. El Al's first Boeing 777 embarked on its maiden flight in March 2000. Later that year the controversy over flights on Shabbat erupted again, when the airline announced that it was losing $55 million a year by grounding its planes on Saturdays. After the first phase of the long-delayed privatization of the company commenced in June 2003 and 15 percent of El Al's shares were listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange the policy regarding sabbath flights was expected to change.

El Al today

class actions, that could potentially cost the company a total of $176.2 million. El Al spends $100 million a year to conform with the airline security measures required by Israel's Shin Bet security service. In early 2007, El Al opened a new King David Lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport. New lounges at Heathrow Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport are expected to open in late 2007.
In 2007, El Al invested NIS 1 billion in the purchase of two new Boeing 777-200s that included an updated El Al decal. The aircraft are fitted with upgraded seats and touch-screen entertainment systems. The first aircraft, named "Sderot", completed its maiden voyage from New York to Tel Aviv on 26 July 2007. The second, "Kiryat Shmona", was delivered at the end of August 2007. As of March 2007, El Al's major shareholders are Knafaim Holdings (42%), the State of Israel (13%), and the Employee Union (8%).

Halacha issues

El Al caters to the needs of religious Jewish passengers flying to and from Israel by serving only kosher food (under rabbinical supervision; glatt kosher food is also available on request). On long-haul flights, passenger-led Jewish prayer services are held at the back of the plane. El Al doesn't initiate flights on Shabbat and schedules are arranged so that flights arrive before the sundown on the eve of Shabbat, though it isn't uncommon for airplanes whose departure might have been delayed to arrive during Shabbat. Passengers not wanting to be on these flights are usually offered a hotel room to wait for the next flight. An estimated 20 to 30 percent of the passengers are Haredi, with a further 30 percent Modern Orthodox. This sector tends to fly during specific seasons of the year (before and after Jewish holidays), and has certain preferred destinations, such as New York and Toronto. Operating on Shabbat could result in a Haredi boycott that would pose a major financial blow. After an airport strike in November 2006, El Al allowed some planes to take off on Shabbat to reduce the backlog. The Haredi community responded with an immediate boycott. On 5 January 2007, El Al signed an agreement with the Haredi community that it wouldn't fly on Shabbat.
As of March 2008, the airline is keeping to the agreement set by Vaadas HaRabbonim Lemaan Kedushas HaShabbos.(External Link

)

El Al security

As a target for many decades, El Al employs stringent security procedures, both on the ground and on board its aircraft. These effective, though sometimes controversial, procedures have won El Al a reputation for security. In 2008, the airline was named by Global Traveler Magazine as the world's most secure airline.

Airport security measures

Passengers are asked to report three hours before departure. All El Al terminals around the world are closely monitored for security. There are plain-clothes agents and fully armed police or military personnel who patrol the premises for explosives, suspicious behavior, and other threats. Inside the terminal, passengers and their baggage are checked by a trained team. El Al security procedures require that all passengers be interviewed individually prior to boarding, allowing El Al staff to identify possible security threats. Passengers will be asked questions about where they're coming from, the reason for their trip, their job or occupation, and whether they've packed their bags themselves. The likelihood of potential terrorists remaining calm under such questioning is believed to be low (see also Microexpression). At the check-in counter the passengers' passports and tickets are closely examined. A ticket without a sticker from the security checkers won't be accepted. At passport control passengers' names are checked against information from the FBI, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Scotland Yard, Shin Bet, and Interpol databases. Luggage is screened and sometimes hand searched. In addition, bags are put through a decompression chamber simulating pressures during flight that could trigger explosives. El Al is the only airline in the world that passes all luggage through such a chamber. Even at overseas airports, El Al security agents conduct all luggage searches personally, even if they're supervised by government or private security firms.

Flight security measures

Undercover agents (sometimes referred to as sky marshals) carrying concealed firearms sit amongst the passengers on every international El Al flight. Most El Al pilots are former Israeli Air Force fighter pilots, and all El Al flight crew members are trained in hand-to-hand combat. Most El Al employees, male and female, have served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as Israeli citizens are drafted at the age of 18.
The cockpits in all El Al aircraft have double doors to prevent entry by unauthorized persons. A code is required to access the doors, and the second door will only be opened after the first has closed and the person has been identified by the Captain or First Officer. This is intended to strengthen the plane in case of an explosion.
Following an attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner in 2002, all aircraft in the fleet have been equipped with an infrared countermeasures system called 'Flight Guard', developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries to defend them against anti-aircraft missiles. Although comparable systems such as CAMPS are now available for civilian aircraft, there's no information to date about any other airlines deploying such a system. Switzerland and other European countries have expressed concern that flares dropped by the Israeli system could cause fires in the vicinity of an airport. However none of the higher risk countries that the El Al aircraft fly to have raised any concerns.

Security controversy and passenger profiling

Critics of El Al note that its security checks on passengers include racial profiling and have argued that such profiling is unfair, irrational, and degrading to those subject to such screening. Supporters of El Al argue that there's nothing inherently racist about passenger profiling and that special scrutiny of Muslims may often be necessary for security purposes.
The airline was also criticised by the Hungarian courts for refusing to search luggage with the passenger present, acting against Hungarian domestic laws which stipulate that only authorized officials are able to undertake such searches.
Despite these criticisms, it has been as a result of these stringent security measures that no El Al aircraft has been successfully hijacked since 1968. El Al's security protocol has proven highly effective and is now a model for airlines around the world.

Destinations

El Al serves destinations on four continents with a particularly developed network to Europe. The airline serves a number of gateway North American cities and has recently extended its service to include non-stop service to Los Angeles and Miami. Over the past few years El Al has expanded its service to cover the Far East while retaining its limited coverage of Africa. El Al's service to several of its destinations is complicated by a special disadvantage. A number of the nearby countries, most importantly Saudi Arabia, refuse to allow El Al airplanes to fly over their territory. The necessary re-routing of the flight paths can add as much as ninety minutes to flying time. In recent years this situation has been somewhat improved by aviation agreements with Cyprus, Egypt, and Jordan. In late 2007, the airline announced that it wishes to begin flights to Tokyo, Shanghai, or South America during 2008. As of April 2008 El Al's network reaches 31 European airports, 7 Asian airports, 5 North American airports and 2 African airports, a total of 45 destinations.

Fleet

El Al has an all-Boeing fleet which consists of the following aircraft:
El Al Fleet>

Aircraft	Total	Passengers (First*/Business/Economy)	Routes	Notes
Boeing 737-700	2	104 (16/88)	Domestic, Europe
Boeing 737-800	6 (5 orders)	142 (16/126)	Domestic, Egypt, Europe	Delivery: Summer 2008 to early 2009
Boeing 747-400	4 (1 order)	408 (8/52/348)	Far East, London, New York City, North America, Paris	1 bought from Singapore Airlines Delivery: November 2008
Boeing 757-200	4	178 (16/162)	Domestic, Egypt, Europe	Replacement aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Boeing 767-200	2		Europe
Boeing 767-200ER	4		Africa, Europe, Far East, North America
Boeing 767-300ER	2	234 (24/210)	Africa, Europe, Far East
Boeing 777-200ER	6 (4 orders)	283 (6/40/237)	Far East, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris	Delivery: 2012

^{*First Class offered on aircraft with a three-class seating configuration.}

Fleet expansion

El Al currently have the following aircraft on order:

5 Boeing 737-800 aircraft to be leased for delivery in summer 2008 to early 2009.
1 Boeing 747-400 aircraft to be purchased from Singapore Airlines for delivery in November 2008.
4 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft for delivery in 2012.

There is speculation over the airline acquiring the following aircraft:

In May 2007, it was announced that El Al reached an agreement to lease six or seven aircraft from Boeing between 2011 and 2015 after canceling its option to buy eight Boeing 787 aircraft. It is unclear what model these aircraft will be.

In July 2007, it was announced that the airline had re-entered negotiations to purchase two 787s. Boeing is trying to resurrect the 787 deal.

Despite having talks with Airbus over aircraft, El Al stated in early 2008 that it plans to rationalize its long-haul aircraft around the 777 or 787. Having said this, CEO Haim Romano didn't rule out the A350, saying that they'd consider it if Airbus came up with "the right proposition."

Partnerships

Matmid points can be collected on most flights operated by:

American Airlines and American Eagle

South African Airways

Sun D'Or

Qantas Some flights operated by the following airlines qualify for points:

Aeroméxico flights from Madrid, Miami, New York, and Paris, to Mexico City Points can also be collected on El Al's codeshare flights.

King David Lounge

The King David Lounge is El Al's airport lounge, serving the airline's premium class passengers. There are a total of five King David Lounges worldwide, located at Ben Gurion International Airport, Charles de Gaulle International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, London Heathrow Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport.
All King David Lounges offer drinks, snacks, newspapers and magazines (Israeli and international). Some lounges offer free Wi-Fi internet access. The King David Lounge at Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion International Airport has a separate section for first-class passengers, telephones, shower facilities and a spa offering massages.

Codeshare agreements

As of February 2008, El Al has the following codeshare partners:

Iberia Airlines

Qantas

South African Airways

Swiss International Air Lines

Tandem Aero

Thai Airways International It was announced in December 2007, that El Al would start a large code-sharing agreement with American Airlines in early 2008 following the cancellation of codeshare agreements between Delta and El Al as a result of Delta's launch of non-stop service between New York (JFK) and Tel Aviv, competing directly with El Al.

Cargo

El Al has a cargo branch, El Al Cargo, which became independent in 1997. As the national cargo airline of Israel, it operates to destinations in Asia, Europe and North America. Before 2001, when the Israeli air cargo market opened up to competition, El Al Cargo enjoyed a monopoly. Now its main competition comes from CAL Cargo Air Lines. The new livery features a blue stripe with a thick silver border on the bottom that sweeps across the side of the aircraft near the wing, disappears over the top of the plane and reappears at the bottom of the tailfin. The El Al logo is part of the design, although it has been changed slightly since then. Image:ELAL 747-200 4X-AHQ EPWA 24 08 2004.jpg|El Al's superseded livery Image:Elal.b767.arp.750pix.jpg|El Al's new livery

Incidents and accidents

On 5 February 1950, one of El Al's DC-4s was damaged when it veered off the runway during takeoff in Tel Aviv. There were no casualties.

On 24 November 1951, a DC-4 on a cargo flight from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam crashed on approach to Zürich Airport, killing 6 crew members.

On 27 July 1955, El Al Flight 402, a Lockheed Constellation, was shot down over Bulgaria after it strayed into Bulgarian airspace in rough weather. All 58 passengers and crew were killed.

On 23 July 1968, El Al Flight 426, a Boeing 707 flying from London to Rome and then to Tel Aviv was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Rome and diverted to Algiers. The hijacking ended after 40 days and is considered to be the only successful hijacking of an El Al jet.

In February 1969, an El Al Boeing 720 was attacked at Zurich Airport. A Israeli trainee pilot was killed, with another eight people being wounded. In a firefight with security personnel, one terrorist was killed, with the other three being arrested. The terrorists were later put on trial in Winterthur, but released following the hijacking of a Swissair plane a year later.

On 27 December 1985, after several attempts at direct attacks on El Al aircraft had failed, guerrillas of the Fatah Revolutionary Council attacked El Al counters at Rome and Vienna airports, killing 19 people.

Another terrorist attack was foiled on 18 April 1986 in what became known as the Hindawi Affair. A pregnant Irishwoman named Anne Mary Murphy was about to board an El Al flight at London's Heathrow Airport when her bag was found to contain three pounds of plastic explosives. The explosives had been planted by her fiancé Nezar Hindawi who was booked on a different flight. Hindawi was jailed for 45 years, the longest sentence ever delivered by a British court. There was evidence that Syrian officials were involved and as a result, Britain cut off diplomatic relations with Syria.

On 4 October 1992, El Al Flight 1862, a Boeing 747-200F cargo plane, crashed into the Groeneveen and Klein-Kluitberg flats in Bijlmermeer, a neighborhood of Amsterdam. The three crew members, one passenger, and 39 people on the ground were killed.

On 4 July 2002, Hesham Mohamed Hadayet shot six Israelis at El Al's ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport before he was shot and killed by an El Al security guard. Two of the victims died. Although not linked to any terrorist group, Hadayet, an Egyptian, espoused anti-Israeli views and was opposed to US policy in the Middle East. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation classified the shooting as a terrorist act, one of the few on US soil since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

On 17 November, 2002, Tawfiq Fukra, a twenty-three-year-old Israeli Arab, attempted to hijack an El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Turkey. He was reportedly armed with a pocket knife and attempted to break into the cockpit in order to fly the aircraft back to Israel and crash it into a building, but was apprehended by on-board security personnel. Fukra has denied the charges.

On 23 October 2003, an El Al Boeing 767 flying from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles via Toronto was diverted to Mirabel International Airport and then on to Hamilton Airport, where Royal Canadian Mounted Police tactical teams were ready. The diversion was the result of a "grave security threat", possibly a planned surface-to-air missile attack on the aircraft upon landing in Toronto.

In 2006, the Swiss Attorney General reported that seven North Africans had been arrested in connection with a conspiracy to blow up an unspecified El Al flight in December 2005. At the time of the arrest, El Al's flights between Tel Aviv and London flew over the Geneva area where a ground-to-air missile had been discovered.Further Information

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