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Continuing to honor IDF servicemembers: EL AL extends the validity of seating, baggage, and full refund benefits for active duty and reserve soldiers

Active duty or reserve soldiers who have completed at least 60 days of reserve duty since the start of the war will continue to enjoy free seating and baggage benefits, and will be eligible for a full refund for flight cancellations until the end of 2025. EL AL continues to honor IDF servicemembers who have been tirelessly protecting Israel for nearly 500 days. Over the past year, EL AL has offered various benefits to active duty and reserve soldiers, including distributing approximately 20,000 free flight tickets to various EL AL destinations, awarding tens of thousands of frequent flyer points to reservists who served upwards of 100 days, and providing EXTRA benefits such as free baggage and seat selections along with full refunds for cancellations. The company Yedidim, the largest volunteer organization in Israel, assists in a vast array of ways through tens of thousands of volunteers from all over the country and serves as an important civic anchor in Israel. The organization’s spearhead is providing assistance in emergency situations, e.g. rescuing infants and small children trapped in locked vehicles. In 2024 alone, 2,355 children and infants who were forgotten or locked in cars were rescued by volunteers who are on high alert and equipped with specialized rescue kits.

now announces the extension of the EXTRA benefits granted to IDF servicemembers last November until the end of 2025, in recognition of their efforts. As a reminder, active duty or reserve soldiers who have served a minimum of 60 days in reserve duty are entitled to four EXTRA benefits at no cost – two seating benefits and two baggage benefits. The benefits apply to all types of tickets (except bonus tickets), to all direct EL AL and Sundor destinations, for flights departing until December 31, 2025. The benefit allows soldiers to book a LITE ticket and enjoy the conditions of a CLASSIC ticket. It should be noted that the benefits apply to the frequent flyer program, and that joining the program is free via the EL AL website. The volunteers, at the sound of an emergency message stop what they were doing in order to respond quickly, arrive promptly, perform the rescue safely, and thus save lives. At Yedidim, we believe in the connections between the third sector and the business sector and work extensively on collaborations with business companies and municipal authorities, which significantly amplify the organization’s activities and assistance to the citizens of Israel. As part of the organization’s

Additionally, understanding that many soldiers book travel in advance and sometimes have to cancel close to the departure date due to emergency call-ups or other reasons, EL AL allows soldiers to cancel their flights and receive a full refund or a credit voucher if they wish. The flight cancellation applies to all types of tickets and to the entire booking, meaning it also applies to non-soldier passengers (family members, friends, etc.) included in the same booking. This benefit will also be valid for flights departing until December 31, 2025. For more details about benefits and eligibility, visit the EL AL website.

Yedidim: They drop whatever they’re doing and rush to help

Photo: PR Yedidim

collaboration with EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd., EL AL has donated 70 specialized rescue kits that were distributed to volunteers at various points throughout Israel and are already being used for saving lives.

36 ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2025