Israel's flag carrier is planning its biggest onboard overhaul in years. EL AL has announced a package of upgrades headlined by Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, alongside new bedding, amenity kits, entertainment and dining — and there's a lot for anyone flying Tel Aviv routes to keep an eye on.
The headline change is connectivity. From 2027, EL AL plans to fit Starlink Wi-Fi across its roughly 50 aircraft — Boeing 787s, 777s and 737s — and, notably, expects to offer it to passengers for free. Starlink has quickly become the gold standard for inflight internet, with speeds good enough for video calls and streaming, so free access would put EL AL ahead of most carriers. The catch: the airline hasn't said how quickly installations will happen or when in 2027 they'll begin, so don't bank on it for early-2027 bookings just yet.
Before that, starting in November 2026, a series of comfort upgrades will phase in, varying by route. Business class on long-haul flights gets the lion's share: memory foam pillows and mattress pads, plus pillows and blankets from Israeli textile brand TAKEANAP across all cabins. Passengers up front will also receive pajamas, slippers and a calming fragrance. On the amenities front, EL AL is partnering with Jo Malone London on kits in around ten colours, containing socks, an eye mask, personal care essentials and a velvet pouch with the brand's fragrance and body care products.
Food and tech are getting attention too. A new culinary programme led by Chef Assaf Granit — the Jerusalem-born chef behind London's much-loved The Palomar — brings new menus and tableware to business class, with an emphasis on healthy, protein-forward meals and, pleasingly, a dessert cart. Meanwhile, a new inflight entertainment system will offer personalised recommendations and let you pick up a film exactly where you left it on a previous flight. A refreshed app adds a "Travel Mode" that kicks in 48 hours before departure, gathering everything you need for the flight in one place.
Taken together, this reads as a clear push by EL AL to compete on premium soft product rather than hardware — the seats aren't changing, but everything around them is. For travellers, the practical takeaway is timing. If you're flying EL AL in 2026, expect the new bedding, amenity kits and dining to appear gradually depending on your route. The free Starlink Wi-Fi is the real prize, but with rollout timing unconfirmed, it's best treated as a bonus for late-2027 travel and beyond rather than a reason to book. Frequent flyers on Tel Aviv routes, and anyone comparing EL AL against European and Gulf competitors for business class, have genuine new reasons to pay attention.
