Economy Class Preferred Seat
Preferred Seat in Premium Classes
Questions and Answers About the Service
What is an Economy Class Preferred Seat?
Preferred seats are seats in the first row and/or adjacent to the Exit doors, throughout the aircraft.These seats have greater legroom than the other seats in Economy Class, and therefore afford maximum comfort on the flight. For your convenience, you can view the table detailing the preferred seats in each fleet.
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Who can order an Economy Class Preferred Seat?
Every passenger with an electronic EL AL ticket is entitled to reserve a preferred seat. Matmid Top Platinum, Platinum or Gold members and those accompanying them* are entitled to sit in these seats, according to Club regulations, at no extra cost and with no need to book the seats in advance for the service.
As a rule, the preferred seats are intended for EL AL's premium passengers; they are offered for sale only after these passengers have chosen their seats. Silver and Matmid members will have priority in purchasing a preferred seat, but will be charged according to rates listed below.
* passengers accompanying Platinum and Gold customers will receive a preferred seat in return for money or points (up to two passengers).
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When should the service be ordered?
You can order the service when reserving your EL AL ticket and any time afterwards, 24 hours a day.
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How is an Economy Class Preferred Seat reserved?
Registration is completed on the reservation page. Please fill out your personal details and send in your request.
- Registration is for a waiting list to one of the Economy Class Preferred Seats and does not guarantee a preferred seat in general or a specific seat, in particular.
- Due to safety restrictions, a preferred seat is conditional on the age of the passenger (from age 15) and a signed declaration of health that appears on the registration form.
- Registration from 24 hours before departure, Israel time.
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Where should I go when arriving at the terminal?
The service is available in Israel and overseas and is offered at all Economy Class check-in counters.
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When will I know if I received the Economy Class Preferred Seat?
When checking-in, a service representative for EL AL passengers will let you know whether you received a preferred seat.
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What is the priority list for receiving an Economy Class Preferred Seat?
These seats are assigned according to a priority list and without payment to Top Platinum members and accompanying passengers and to Gold and Platinum customers.
When checking in at the airport, you will be able to purchase Economy Class Preferred Seats that have not been taken by these passengers. Seating is according to a waiting list for which passengers register in advance through the EL AL website. The priority order of the waiting list is as follows:
1. Passengers accompanying Platinum and Gold customers *
2. Silver Matmid members (SL)and King David Club ,members
3. Matmid members (TL)
4. Passengers who are not Matmid members
Within each category, priority is determined by date of reservation for the Economy Class Preferred Seat.
* Passengers accompanying Platinum and Gold customers do not have to register for the service and will receive a preferred seat in return for money or points.
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How much does the service cost and when is it paid?
For long-range destinations, such as the USA, the Far East and South Africa, $59; to all other destinations, $39
The fee is per flight segment.
Mode of Payment -
On flights from Israel passengers accompanying Platinum or Gold Matmid members have the option to order a preferred seat, either by paying in advance via the EL AL call centre, or registering via the EL AL website. In the latter case passengers will be contacted by EL AL 24 hours prior to the flight if preferred seats are available.
On Flights to Israel passengers accompanying Platinum and Gold members may pay in advance, when seated or at the beginning of the flight to the purser.
Silver Matmid members (SL), King David Club members, Matmid members (TL) and customers who are not members of the Matmid Frequent Flyer Club will pay the purser at the beginning of the flight.
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Can Matmid Club points be used to purchase an Economy Class Preferred Seat?
For long-range destinations, such as the USA, the Far East and South Africa – 135 points per flight segment.
To other destinations – 85 points per flight segment.
This benefit will offer Matmid members yet another channel for utilizing their points.
* Matmid members may purchase preferred seats with points if they have sufficient points in their account.
* Passengers accompanying Platinum and Gold customers may purchase the service with points if they are flying on the same flight with the Matmid members.
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Can I still check in online on the EL AL website?
Certainly. There is no conflict between the two services.
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What should I do if I change my registration (flight, date)?
It is necessary to register for the service again.
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Is it possible to reserve a preferred seat on a code share flight?
Registration is for EL AL flights only. The service is not available on code share flights.
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What is Business Class Seating Service?
Business Class Seating Service enables passengers to sit in Business Class seats, when the Class is not offered for sale in its standard format.**
The inflight service provided conforms to Economy Class standard.
The service is offered for a fee, during the check-in procedure at the airport, and is subject to availability.
*The service is available on selected flights.
**Business Class seat with Economy Class service.
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What is the First Class Preferred seat?
This option allows Economy/Business Class passengers the comfort of a seat in the First Class section of the aircraft but without the First class inflight service.
The service is offered, on selected flights only, for a fee during the check-in procedure , and is subject to availability of seats in business class. **
*The service is available on selected flights.
**Under certain conditions, Economy Class service is offered to passengers in First Class seats.
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What does Business Class and/or First Class Seating Service cost?
Business Class:
To long-range destinations, such as the USA: New York, Toronto, the Far East and South Africa - $250 or 500 Matmid points for Matmid Club members
To Sao Paulo and Los Angeles - $400 or 500 Matmid points for Matmid Club members.
To all other destinations - $100 or 200 Matmid points for Matmid Club members.
First Class:
To long-range destinations, such as the USA: New York, Toronto, the Far East and South Africa - $500 or 550 Matmid points for Matmid Club members
To Sao Paulo and Los Angeles - $400 or 500 Matmid points for Matmid Club members.
To all other destinations - $200 or 250 Matmid points for Matmid Club members.
*Platinum Top and Platinum members are entitled to this service free of charge
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What is the procedure for registering for a seat in Business Class?
Registration is on a registration page. Fill in the details of your flight: flight number and date. If Business Class Seating Service is available* on your flight, you may indicate on this form the number of seats you would like to reserve and then fill in the remaining fields and click on the Send button.
*The service is available on select flights.
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