El Al
Corporate brand
UnclaimedIsrael’s flag carrier, operating scheduled passenger and cargo services from its main base at Ben Gurion Airport.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
El Al Israel Airlines, commonly branded as El Al, is the flag carrier of Israel. The airline was incorporated in November 1948, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, and began regular international operations in 1949. Its main base is Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, while its corporate headquarters are in Lod. The name El Al is generally translated from Hebrew as “upwards,” “to the skies,” or “skyward.” El Al developed as both a commercial airline and a strategic national institution. Its earliest operations connected Israel with Europe, and its network later expanded to North America, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. The company has operated passenger, charter and cargo flights, and has periodically used its aircraft for state-supported immigration and humanitarian airlift operations. Among its most prominent missions was Operation Solomon in 1991, when an El Al Boeing 747 transported Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa to Israel. The flight established a record for the largest number of passengers carried on a commercial aircraft, although the precise count has been reported in different ways because infants were carried in addition to the booked passengers. Security has been a defining part of El Al’s identity. The airline and its aircraft have been targets of hijacking attempts, attacks and threats, particularly during the late 1960s and 1970s. In response, El Al developed unusually extensive passenger-screening, onboard-security and operational procedures. The airline’s security reputation became a central element of its positioning, although it has also generated criticism and legal controversy concerning profiling, treatment of passengers and the cost of its security model. El Al has historically maintained distinctive religious operating practices. Its flights serve kosher meals, and the airline has generally refrained from scheduled passenger operations during Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. This policy has reflected agreements made during Israel’s early statehood, but has repeatedly produced political and commercial debate, especially when the airline faced financial pressure or competition from carriers operating under more flexible schedules. The fleet evolved from leased and purchased Douglas DC-4 aircraft to Bristol Britannias, Boeing 707s, Boeing 720s, Boeing 747s, Boeing 757s, Boeing 767s, Boeing 777s and later Boeing 787 Dreamliners. El Al has historically operated an all-Boeing passenger fleet. Its long-haul network has included destinations in the United States and Canada, while its European network has served major business, tourism and Jewish-diaspora markets. Cargo operations have supplemented passenger revenue and supported special transport missions. The company experienced repeated financial and labor difficulties. Operations were suspended during a severe dispute and restructuring period in the early 1980s, after which the government placed the airline under receivership and supported a recovery program. A long-delayed privatization process began in 2003, ending the airline’s direct status as a fully state-owned enterprise. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused extensive grounding of aircraft, layoffs and severe liquidity pressure. A government support arrangement was reached, and Eli Rozenberg acquired a controlling stake of approximately 42.85 percent in September of that year, while the state acquired additional shares. Today El Al remains an important international connector for Israel, combining scheduled passenger services, cargo activity and a national-carrier role. Its commercial performance is affected by geopolitical conditions, security requirements, fuel prices, competition from foreign airlines and the special constraints associated with its Shabbat policy. The brand continues to emphasize Israeli identity, safety, kosher service and direct links between Israel and global Jewish communities.
History
El Al was established in 1948 as Israel’s national airline. Its first notable flight used a converted military transport aircraft to bring President Chaim Weizmann back from Geneva to Israel in September 1948. The company was formally incorporated on 15 November 1948 and initially operated leased aircraft. It acquired two Douglas DC-4s in early 1949, began its first scheduled international service between Tel Aviv and Paris in July of that year, and soon added London and Johannesburg. During the 1950s El Al expanded its European network, began cargo operations with Curtiss C-46 aircraft and introduced charter services to the United States. It later acquired Bristol Britannias and became one of the early operators of that aircraft type. A 1958 American advertising campaign promoted the introduction of nonstop transatlantic services with a striking image of a reduced-size Atlantic Ocean, helping establish the airline’s long-haul identity. The 1960s brought the transition to Boeing jets and the airline’s first sustained profitability. Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft replaced the Britannias, and El Al established long-distance services to North America. In 1961 an El Al Boeing 707 set a record for the longest nonstop commercial flight of its time on the New York–Tel Aviv route. The decade also saw new European destinations, expanded cargo activity and the creation of related tourism and aviation-service businesses. Security became central to the company’s history after hijackings and terrorist attacks beginning in 1968. El Al Flight 426 was the only successful hijacking of an El Al aircraft, ending after a lengthy negotiation with all hostages eventually released. Other attacks occurred at airports and against company facilities. These events led to the development of intensive security procedures that remain closely associated with the brand. El Al purchased its first Boeing 747 in 1971 and began using the type for expanded long-haul operations, including nonstop service between Tel Aviv and New York. In the 1970s the airline also established a charter subsidiary that later became Sun d’Or International Airlines. Political and religious debate intensified over whether El Al should operate during Shabbat. The issue reached a major confrontation in 1982, when legislation restored a prohibition on Sabbath flights after a period in which the airline had scheduled some services from foreign airports. Financial and labor problems culminated in the suspension of operations in late 1982. The Israeli government placed the company under receivership, appointed an administrator and supported a fleet and restructuring program. Operations resumed in January 1983, and the airline returned to profitability within several years. Service to Cairo began in 1980 after the Egypt–Israel peace treaty, while routes to Poland and Yugoslavia were added near the end of the decade. The 1990s combined network expansion with major national missions. El Al began scheduled service to Moscow after the collapse of the Soviet Union and, in cooperation with Aeroflot, helped carry hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants to Israel. Operation Solomon in May 1991 became the airline’s best-known humanitarian airlift. The company also expanded into the Far East, received its first Boeing 747-400 in 1994, entered a codeshare relationship with American Airlines and ended its formal receivership in 1995. Renewed terrorism and increased competition contributed to losses in 1996. El Al introduced the Boeing 777 in 2000. Privatization began in 2003 after years of delay, changing the airline’s ownership structure and intensifying the debate over its traditional non-operation on Shabbat. The company continued to modernize its long-haul fleet and develop international partnerships. In 2020, the COVID-19 crisis grounded aircraft, reduced schedules and created severe financial pressure. A government bailout and share transaction followed, with Eli Rozenberg becoming the controlling shareholder. El Al remains Israel’s principal flag carrier, with its business shaped by national responsibilities, geopolitical risk, security costs and the demands of international airline competition.
- 2020
Pandemic bailout and ownership change
[1]COVID-19 disruption led to major financial stress, government support and the acquisition of a controlling stake by Eli Rozenberg.
- 2003
Privatization begins
[1]The Israeli government began the long-delayed process of privatizing El Al.
- 2000
Boeing 777 enters service
[1]El Al began operating Boeing 777 aircraft as part of its long-haul fleet modernization.
- 1991
Operation Solomon
[2]The airline participated in the airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, including a record-setting Boeing 747 flight.
- 1983
Operations resume after suspension
[1]Following labor disputes, losses and government intervention, El Al resumed operations under a restructuring and receivership program.
- 1971
First Boeing 747 acquired
[1]El Al added the Boeing 747, enabling larger-capacity long-haul services.
- 1961
Long-distance flight record
[1]An El Al Boeing 707 flew nonstop from New York to Tel Aviv in a record-setting commercial flight for the period.
- 1960
First reported profitable year
[1]El Al recorded its first profit as jet-era growth and international passenger demand strengthened its position.
- 1950
Cargo operations begin
[1]The airline inaugurated cargo services and expanded its European network, while also developing charter activity to the United States.
- 1949
First scheduled international service
[1]El Al began regular international flights between Tel Aviv and Paris, with an intermediate refueling stop in Rome.
Products and positioning
Israel’s national flag carrier, positioned around security, reliability, Israeli identity, kosher service and long-haul connectivity.
Passenger airline · 1949
Scheduled passenger flights
El Al’s core service is scheduled international passenger transportation from Israel, primarily through Ben Gurion Airport. The network has historically covered Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with route availability changing in response to demand, security conditions and commercial strategy.
Air cargo · 1950
Cargo services
El Al has operated dedicated and passenger-aircraft cargo services since 1950. Cargo activity supports trade links between Israel and overseas markets and has also provided capacity for special national and humanitarian transport operations.
Charter airline · 1950
Charter services
The company developed charter operations during the 1950s and later established a charter subsidiary, subsequently known as Sun d’Or International Airlines. Charter flying has supplemented scheduled services and supported leisure and seasonal travel.
Onboard service · 1948
Kosher in-flight service
Kosher meals are a longstanding feature of El Al’s onboard proposition. The airline’s service model is also associated with avoiding scheduled passenger operations during Shabbat and major Jewish holidays, subject to historical policy and operational changes.
Controversies
1982
Sabbath-flight political controversy
A dispute over the resumption and prohibition of Sabbath flights produced political confrontation, public criticism and airport protests before legislation restored the ban.
1970
Dawson’s Field hijacking attempt
An attempted hijacking of an El Al Boeing 707 by Patrick Argüello and Leila Khaled was part of the coordinated Dawson’s Field hijackings.
1969
Zurich airport attack
Palestinian attackers targeted an El Al aircraft at Zurich Airport, killing the copilot and injuring the pilot. The incident formed part of a wider wave of attacks against the airline.
1968
El Al Flight 426 hijacking
Three PFLP members hijacked an El Al Boeing 707 traveling from Rome to Tel Aviv and diverted it to Algiers. The incident ended after negotiations, with the hostages and crew released.
Marketing campaigns
- 1958Atlantic Ocean advertising campaign
United States
El Al promoted new nonstop transatlantic service with a newspaper advertisement depicting a dramatically shortened Atlantic Ocean. The campaign challenged aviation advertising conventions and emphasized reduced travel time.
Outcome. The advertisement was reportedly used once and was credited in reference material with a substantial increase in sales.
Brand decisions
2020
Accept pandemic support and change controlStrategyBackground
COVID-19 caused extensive flight cancellations, aircraft groundings and layoffs, leaving the airline in severe financial distress.
Action taken
El Al reached a bailout arrangement with the Israeli government, and Eli Rozenberg acquired approximately 42.85 percent of the company in September 2020.
Aftermath
The transaction provided a path for continued operations while leaving the airline exposed to the prolonged recovery of international aviation.
2003
Begin privatizationStrategyBackground
Persistent financial pressure and the changing Israeli aviation market created pressure to move El Al away from direct state ownership.
Action taken
The government began a phased privatization process.
Aftermath
Ownership became more commercially oriented, while debates continued over Sabbath operations and national-carrier obligations.
1983
Restructure under government receivershipStrategyBackground
Labor disputes, strikes and substantial losses led to a suspension of operations and government intervention.
Action taken
The government appointed an administrator, supported fleet renewal and restarted the airline under a restructuring framework.
Aftermath
El Al resumed service in January 1983 and returned to profitability within several years.
1971
Adopt the Boeing 747Generation changeBackground
El Al needed greater capacity for long-haul routes, but the high cost and security risks associated with the aircraft made the purchase controversial.
Action taken
The airline acquired its first Boeing 747 and used the aircraft to expand large-capacity international operations.
Aftermath
The 747 became an important part of El Al’s long-haul fleet and supported the later introduction of nonstop New York service.
Recent events
Reported
El Al announces child-ticket promotion[4]
El Al announced a planned fare promotion under which families flying abroad can buy parents' tickets at full price and pay only airport fees for children up to age 12. The reduced fare applies to nearly all European destinations except Greece and Cyprus, as well as Dubai, Phuket and Seychelles; eligible travel is before October 23, 2021.
Reported
El Al chairman Eli Defes resigns[5]
El Al chairman Eli Defes stepped down with immediate effect for medical reasons; the airline had not named a successor.
Reported
El Al board approves acquisition by the state[6]
El Al's board approved the company's acquisition by the state; the report says the state will continue operating the airline.
Sources6 sources
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