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El Al Business Class to Athens

We got back to The King David just after 1pm, so Mrs. SFO777 and I had roughly 3 hours before our driver was to pick us up for ride to the airport.   Since it was Shabbat and the hotel restaurants really weren't functioning, we went across the street... believe it or not... to the YMCA.  Our guide recommended it.  Indeed, this was like no YMCA I've ever seen.   

While not gourmet, lunch was pretty good.

With a late checkout, we left The King David around 4:30pm for the 35 minutes drive to Ben Gurion TLV airport. TLV is one tough place to get to and from in comfort. We had originally booked Korean First on the 10pm TLV-ICN 77W but my waitlist for that 2nd award seat on the connecting ICN-LAX A380 never cleared. Then a few months ago, we decided to go to Santorini in May for our anniversary. So I bought a cheap ATH-LAX-JTR round trip and used the last of my 2017 SWUs to upgrade to AA First on the LHR-LAX-LHR AA legs. Alas, we needed to get to Athens and El Al had a reasonably priced 7:30pm nonstop. The money we saved on an extra night at The King David paid for our El Al flights, the ATH hotel and then some. I'd never flown El Al and hadn't heard a lot of good things. But today's positive experience changed that perspective.

Since it was Shabbat, TLV was deserted and our two lovely VIP "escorts" escorted us to security where we were the only passengers and then thru the spacious and attractive concourse.

... to El Al's King David Lounge.   

To the right of the front desk is the First Class Lounge.   

... where I took a quick peek and pic.  Get a competitive long haul First Class hard product and I'd definintely fly you.

OK, this is nice.  Very attractive and spacious lounge.  It certainly helps when you are the only passengers for most of our stay. 

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OMG... yum, yum!

There is a spacious mezzanine level to the lounge, dubbed the Glenvit Lounge.

At around T-35, we headed out for the short walk to Gate D7.

Tel Aviv TLV to Athens ATH
El Al LY 543
B738
7:25p-9:45p (sked)
7:20p-9:10p (actual)
January 13, 2018
Departed 3/16
Seats 2AC

With a very light load, our Gate Agent invited everyone to board. 

Not the newest cabin, but way, way better than Euro-fraud Business that most EU airlines fly to TLV.

Excellent and attentive service throughout the flight, which isn't hard when there are only 3 of us in the cabin.  LOL.  PDB open bar although we just went with water.

Whoa, an amenity kit on a 2 hour flight.  

After take-off...

And showtime, El Al regional Business Class style.

We were both full but I took one for the team and the photo op.    The meal was nothing fancy... jjust a cold meal although the chicken was quite tasty.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by El Al.   I had low expectations going in so the bar was low.  But I would definitely fly them again and absolutely choose El Al over the crap Euro-fraud on the likes of LH, LX, AF, etc...