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Recent EL AL Israel Airlines flights eligible for compensation
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Let’s face it: regardless of the situation, an interrupted flight is always inconvenient, and trying to cancel your flight yourself is often a challenge. That’s why we’re here to help. We’ve been in the business of helping passengers sort out their EL AL cancellations and delays since 2017.
We’ll explore the ins and outs of EL AL compensation, exactly how to make a claim, and dive into the EL AL cancellation policy related to refunds and rebooking. Armed with this information, when you encounter an annoying disruption, at least you’ll know exactly what to do and how much you can get for your trouble!
Key Points – EL AL Israel Airlines Flight Reimbursement and Compensation
- EL AL follows the Aviation Services Law for all flights departing and arriving in Israel. This includes alternate flights, compensation, EL AL refunds, and care, like meals, hotel stays, and transportation.
- The maximum EL AL cancellation compensation is NIS3,000 (approximately US$820).
- Any flights departing from the UK and EU are also eligible for EL AL delay compensation. Plus, passengers are protected for missed connections and canceled or overbooked flights up to $650 when the airline is at fault.
- In all cases, payouts are determined by the flight distance and length of the interruption.
- EL AL refunds are possible for passenger-canceled flights in very specific cases only.
- From January 1 to February 28, 2025, certain EL AL routes were 94% delayed and 13% canceled.
How to File For EL AL Delayed Flight Compensation & Canceled Flights Yourself
Our airline compensation experts are always here to help when things get tough, and our 98% win-rate track record all but ensures a successful outcome. But, if you prefer to go it alone, this is how you should proceed for any EL AL flight delay or cancellation claims for trips to or from Israel or departing the EU and UK:
- There is a specific contact form for EL AL flight cancellation compensation. The airline also offers multiple points of contact, including by phone at 1-800-223-6700 in the US. Passengers can escalate issues to the management team by email at Telloren@elal.co.il. Choose the most convenient and appropriate method and start a claim.
- Provide the necessary details, such as your booking reference and a summary of the situation.
- Know your air passenger rights in advance and request exactly that – no less.
- Follow up until you receive the settlement.
- When there is no response or the outcome is not correct, escalate to the customer service team by email. Additionally, in the UK and EU, the Civil Aviation Authority and EU country-specific resolution centers can help as a last resort.
- When the process takes too long or you are unsuccessful, remember that AirAdvisor can help. Just use the compensation calculator, start a claim, and we’ll take care of everything else.
Figuring out how much you are owed for a disrupted flight can be complicatedWe're here to help. Let us assess your compensation for you.Check Your Flight
Handling an EL AL Flight Delay - What To Claim & When
In the US, flight compensation is in its infancy with changes hopefully imminent, so compared to American carriers currently, EL AL offers good compensation claim options.
Israel’s Aviation Services Law
Length of EL AL Delays | Type of Compensation | Amount | When to Claim |
2 hours or more but less than 5 hours | The airline must provide drinks and meals, access to communication like wifi (1 email, 1 fax). | Reasonable for the delay. | At the airport. |
More than 5 hours but less than 8 hours | Same as above, plus either an alternate flight, or submit for a full refund in writing, or take a future travel voucher. For replacement flights that depart the following day, hotel accommodation and transportation. | Reasonable for the delay, plus full fare amount in a refund or travel voucher. | At the airport or once travel is complete for EL AL refunds. |
8 hours or more (same as if flight was canceled) | Cash, plus all the above if travel continues. | Up to NIS3,000 (US$820) in EL AL cancellation compensation. | Once travel is complete. |
Note that in most cases, if no actual voucher is offered, an air passenger can submit for reasonable expenses at the end of the trip. Make sure to keep all the receipts!
EL AL Flight Delay Compensation in the UK and EU
When passengers experience an at-fault delay of at least 3 hours on flights departing from either the UK or EU, they are entitled to protection under the relevant regulations: UK261 and EU261. The provisions include:
- Get paid out up to £520/€600/US$650, which you can claim once you're done traveling.
- The right to care in the form of vouchers for refreshments, hotel stays, and ground transportation, plus communication, depending on your flight’s distance and starting from EL AL flight delays of 2 hours or more. Make your request for these at the airport as soon as the delay happens.
How to Deal With EL AL Flight Cancellations
When an EL AL flight is delayed by 8 hours or more due to something the airline could have prevented, passengers have the same rights according to the Aviation Services Law as if the flight was canceled altogether. In the event your flight is canceled or you opt not to continue after this length of delay, this is what to do:
- Find a new flight right away as all passengers will be trying to do the same.
- If no alternate flights meet your requirements, ask for a full EL AL refund.
- Determine the cancellation reason as this is important for any claims you’ll file later.
- Take advantage of the meals, drinks, hotels, etc., based on your rights.
- File an EL AL flight cancellation claim once home.
What Exactly is Covered for EL AL Cancellations?
For cancellations, you receive the same care as for delayed flights based on the timeframes. If your flight is canceled with less than 14 days' notice, you can also claim compensation up to NIS3,000 (US$820) under the Aviation Services Law.
Additionally, departing UK and EU flights have the same 14-day provision and offer up to $650.
Recent EL AL Delays and Cancellations
These routes have encountered higher-than-normal EL AL delays and cancellations from January 1 to February 28, 2025. Check out exactly how much compensation you can claim, which will be based on delay length and distance of your flight (more on that below):
Flight Number | Route | On-Time Rate | Cancellation Rate | Maximum |
LY358 | Frankfurt to Tel Aviv | 6% | N/A | $820 (Israel); $650 (EU261) |
LY340 | Zurich to Tel Aviv | 50% | 13% | $820 (Israel); $650 (EU261) |
LY11 | Tel Aviv to New York JFK | 11% | N/A | $820 (Israel only) |
LY383 | Tel Aviv to Rome Fiumicino | 50% | N/A | $820 (Israel only) |
The Rules for Cancellations and EL AL Delayed Flight Compensation
As mentioned, to receive compensation for both the UK/EU and Israel, your flight must be delayed a certain amount of time, and the airline must be at fault to receive any cash. The final amount is dependent on this and the length of the flight.
EL AL Delays – Flights Departing the UK and EU
- Short flights delayed 3 hours or more – under 1,500km (930 miles): $270 (£220/€250).
- Medium flights delayed 3 hours or more – between 1,500km (930 miles) & 3,500km (2,175 miles): $430 (£350/€400).
- Long flights – over 3,500km (2,175 miles) delayed 3 to 4 hours: $330 (£260/€300).
- Long flights – over 3,500km (2,175 miles) delayed 4 hours or more: $650 (£520/€600).
Similar limits apply for EL AL flight cancellation compensation in the UK and EU when a flight is canceled 14 days or less from the originally scheduled departure time.
EL AL Cancellations – Flights To or From Israel
Flight Distance | Amount of Compensation |
2,000km (1,240 miles) and under | NIS1,250 (US$340) |
Between 2,000km (1,240 miles) and 4,500km (2,800 miles) | NIS2,000 (US$550) |
Over 4,500km (2,800 miles) | NIS3,000 (US$820) |
The Aviation Services Law is more generous than the UK and EU, but the distance limits are different. Figure out which country offers the most compensation, and go with that!
The EL AL Cancellation Policy – How Easy is it to Get Your Money?
So far, we’ve covered instances when the airline delays or cancels your flight, but what about if you need to cancel? The EL AL cancellation policy is clear and states:
- If you opt to add the EL AL Protect Service to your flight for an additional fee, you can cancel and receive 100% of the flight cost back as a travel voucher.
- The EL AL refund policy allows for your full cash back when flights are canceled within 24 hours of booking.
- Cancellation fees are charged in most other circumstances, depending on the fare type, so choose wisely!
In 2023, when the Protect Service launched, the VP of Commerce and International Affairs, Shlomi Zafrani, said:
It makes booking in advance easy and worry-free. This new service will allow our customers to book flights months in advance at affordable prices and be assured that they can cancel their reservation without penalty if they are unable to fly on the dates of their booking.
To check your cancellation options, go to the My Bookings section, find your flight, and the choices will be displayed.
EL AL Missed Connections
EL AL will pay compensation for a missed connection for flights that leave the UK or EU if a delay or cancellation, preventable by EL AL, means you don’t make it to your connecting flight. Expect the same care and payouts up to $650, depending on the time delayed to your final destination.
Who’s At Fault? When EL AL Compensation Doesn’t Apply
In general, EL AL delayed flight compensation and cancellation payouts are only required if the airline is at fault. This means, if something could have been prevented, like a scheduling error or interruptions due to routine maintenance, passengers are eligible for compensation.
Extraordinary circumstances, which are causes that get the airline off the hook, are things like severe weather, air traffic control issues, and security threats. Israel also adds the stipulation that no claim is possible for flights canceled to avoid desecrating a holiday or Shabbat.
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The Low-Down on EL AL
EL AL serves up to 6 million annual passengers with nearly 50 aircraft amid the turmoil in the region. In fact, as other airlines canceled flights to and from the country due to the Israel-Hamas War, EL AL Israel Airlines increased its route offerings to compensate, resulting in increased profits.
And whether it offers comfort or not, EL AL is the only airline that currently equips its planes with anti-missile defense systems. Hopefully, that will alleviate any concerns you might have about traveling around the area!
