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Understanding the EL AL Cancellation Policy and Flight Disruption Compensation

Learn when passengers can get paid for EL AL delayed flight compensation, the cancellation policy, and what to do to claim a maximum of £520.

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Amy Lancelotte
Anton Radchenko

Last Updated:  

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

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 £630).
  • Any flights departing from the UK and EU are also eligible for EL AL delay compensation. Plus, passengers are protected for missed connections and cancelled or overbooked flights up to £520 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-cancelled flights in very specific cases only.
  • From January 1 to February 28, 2025, certain EL AL routes were 94% delayed and 13% cancelled.

How to File For EL AL Delayed Flight Compensation & Cancelled 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 UK and EU:

  1. There is a specific contact form for EL AL flight cancellation compensation. The airline also offers multiple points of contact, including by phone at 02032040300 in the UK or via WhatsApp at 03-977-1150. 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.
  2. Provide the necessary details, such as your booking reference and a summary of the situation.
  3. Know your air passenger rights in advance and request exactly that – no less.
  4. Follow up until you receive the settlement.
  5. 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 centres can help as a last resort. 
  6. 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

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!

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 cancelled)

Cash, plus all the above if travel continues.

Up to NIS3,000 (£630) in EL AL cancellation compensation.

Once travel is complete.

tip

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: UK 261 and EU 261. The provisions include:

  • Get paid out up to £520/€600, which you can claim once you're done travelling.
  • 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. 

People are walking through Ben Gurion Airport

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 cancelled altogether. In the event your flight is cancelled or you opt not to continue after this length of delay, this is what to do:

  1. Find a new flight right away as all passengers will be trying to do the same.
  2. If no alternative flight meets your requirements, ask for a full EL AL refund for the original flight ticket.
  3. Determine the cancellation reason as this is important for any claims you’ll file later.
  4. Take advantage of the meals, drinks, hotels, etc. based on your rights.
  5. 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 cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, you can also claim compensation up to NIS3,000 (£630) under the Aviation Services Law.

Additionally, departing UK and EU flights have the same 14-day provision and offer up to £520.

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

£630 (Israel); £520 (EU261)

LY340

Zurich to Tel Aviv

50%

13%

£630 (Israel); £520 (EU261)

LY11

Tel Aviv to New York JFK

11%

N/A

£630 (Israel only)

LY383

Tel Aviv to Rome Fiumicino

50%

N/A

£630 (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: £220/€250.
  • Medium flights delayed 3 hours or more – between 1,500km & 3,500km: £350/€400.
  • Long flights – over 3,500km delayed 3 to 4 hours: £260/€300.
  • Long flights – over 3,500km delayed 4 hours or more: £520/€600.

Similar limits apply for EL AL flight cancellation compensation in the UK and EU when a flight is cancelled at 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 and under

NIS1,250 (£260)

Between 2,000km and 4,500km

NIS2,000 (£420)

Over 4,500km

NIS3,000 (£630)

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 cancelled 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:

quotes

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.

An EL AL flight cancellation results in the option for a new flight

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 £520, 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 cancelled to avoid desecrating a holiday or Shabbat.

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightCheck Your Flight

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 cancelled 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 travelling around the area!

Amy Lancelotte

Author:

Amy Lancelotte

Job/Position: Editor

Amy Lancelotte is a writer, editor, and content strategist with seven years experience writing about travel and related topics. Born and raised in Canada, she has spent several years living and working as a digital nomad in England, Italy, and France, and has spent more time in airport departure lounges than she wants to think about.

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