EL AL – Israel’s Airline
EL AL, born in 1948 is an expression of the national existence and pride of the Jewish State
Letter Excerpts:
“I just finished a delicious lunch & before I take a nap I decided to write. The plane is very nice & the ride is nice and smooth”
— July 19, 1957
“I had a most wonderful & enjoyable trip. The ride was smooth & swift. The service was excellent with the most delicious meals I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
“We landed first in Gander, then London, Paris, Athens & finally Israel at midnight Saturday Israel time.”
“It thrilled me no end flying over Tel Aviv & landing.”
— July 21, 1957
From its beginnings, EL AL proudly flew the Jewish star on the tail of its aircraft.
The same factory years later in the bustling city of Ramat Gan.
EL AL’s Early Years
The author departed from Idlewild Airport in New York (later known as JFK) on board an EL AL fight. In 1957, Idlewild was the only airport EL AL flew to in North America.
In 1957, flying to Israel was much different than it is today. The flight was much, much longer and the speed of the planes was much slower. Due to the limited range of the planes, many refueling stops were necessary when flying from the United States to Israel.
The author at the departure gate of Idlewild Airport (now JFK) on the way
to his first trip to Israel – July 1957.
The author’s first letter, written while on the flight, provides some interesting information about flying in those days: “Our first stop was Gander Newfoundland”. This was an international airport opened in 1938.
In July 1957, flights were unable to cross the Atlantic to Europe without refueling and therefore had to stop in Gander to refuel.
This changed in December 1957, when EL AL introduced flights that were able to cross the Atlantic without refueling. EL AL ads proclaimed, “No Goose—No Gander”, meaning no required stops at Goose Bay, Labrador or Gander, Newfoundland for refueling on trans-Atlantic flights.
EL AL’s advertisement stating that they no longer need to make stops in Goose Bay & Gander.
This was a result of EL AL’s purchase of their new “Bristol Britannia” aircraft which were able to span the Atlantic from New York, without refueling.
As one can see at the top of his letter, the author was flying on an EL AL Constellation, aircraft 4X-AKE. This was a four-piston engine airliner. These old planes were noisy and shaky.
The author’s first letter written on EL AL stationary while on his flight from New York to Israel.
Following Gander Newfoundland, the plane stopped in London, Athens, Paris, and finally Israel. In those days, a flight between Tel Aviv and New York — if all went well — took between 28 and 33 hours, depending on direction and winds. Of course, there were no movies and other such amenities to help you pass the time.
The actual EL AL Constellation plane which the author flew from NY to Israel. Notice the aircraft registration number, 4X-AKE, at the bottom of the right side tail.
Flight History
EL Al operated its first scheduled flight on July 1949 from Tel Aviv to Rome and Paris, and flew only to major European cities during those years. However, in June 1950, with the acquisition of more sophisticated planes, they began chartered flights between Tel Aviv and Israel, and provided flights to Johannesburg, South Africa.
In 1961, EL AL introduced Boeing 707 jets, and soon established world records in its flights between Tel Aviv and New York – the first nonstop service between those cities, and the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight at the time. Over the years, EL AL has added flight destinations across the US and across the globe.
Importance of EL AL to Israel’s Security
El Al airlines was born in 1948 along with the State of Israel, and has become one of the expressions of Israel’s national existence, adorning the Israeli flag on its aircraft’s tail. Prime Minister Ben Gurion, in his strong desire for the state to be independent, realized the importance of a national airline that could be counted on to continue flying even during times of war and crisis. Two of America’s major airlines, Pan Am and TWA, were also flying to Israel at that time. But these two airlines stopped their service to Israel during the 1956 Sinai Campaign, vindicating Ben Gurion’s concern and foresight.
Perhaps the best example of their indispensability was during both the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, when all other airlines halted flights to Israel, with El Al remaining the only link between Israel and the rest of the world at that critical time. Not only did they continue flights during the war, but managed to transport military personnel, military equipment and doctors from overseas during these emergency circumstances.
Bob Dublin, a doctor from Staten Island, NY, recounted how El Al flew him to Israel as a volunteer doctor during the 1973 Yom Kippur War:
“I was in medical school in the U.S. in 1967 during the 6-Day War, and many of my colleagues boarded El Al flights to volunteer their services. I made up my mind that if there is another war, I will do the same.
Sure enough, when the Yom Kippur War broke out six years later, I tried to get in contact with the Israeli embassy to work out some kind of arrangement where I can volunteer my medical services in Israel – but nobody was able to help me. I called El Al, and they told me to show up at Kennedy airport, and they will pick me up. I left my wife Chatty with our newborn baby Brian and boarded the plane, finding myself seated amongst other volunteers and reserve soldiers.
I ended up stitching up wounded soldiers at Tel HaShomer hospital. All the soldiers seemed really touched that I had left my family and flown thousands of miles to Israel to help them. This was an added benefit to the whole experience – boosting the morale of the soldiers.”
EL AL continued being the only carrier connecting Israel with the outside world during the 1982 Lebanon War, when they continued commercial air links from and to Israel. In 1991, when the Gulf War broke out, and in 2014 during “Operation Protective Edge”, El AL remained the only airline flying passengers into Israel. Most recently, during the Covid 19 crisis, EL AL flew in respirators and other emergency medical supplies from the Far East. Who knows how many lives have been saved throughout the years by the efforts of EL AL.
Importance of EL AL to Israel’s Economy
Not only is EL AL in the business of rescuing Jews and contributing to the security of the state of Israel, they also employ thousands of Israelis, many of whom are former army veterans. They contribute to the Israeli economy via their cargo planes which import and export Israeli goods.
During the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak EL AL went into financial hardship after being forced to cancel most of their flights and placed most of their employees on unpaid leave. This was compounded by the fact that EL AL had just purchased new Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes and had to meet their financial payments.
Acknowledging the importance of EL AL to the security and economy of the state, the Israeli government pulled out all stops to keep EL AL afloat by guaranteeing 75% of a $250,000,000 loan to El Al and purchasing 14% of El Al’s shares for $14,000,000.
Strauss Acquires Elite
In 1997, Elite was purchased by Strauss, Israel’s largest food company, and greatly expanded its line of products. Elite produces the hazelnut filled “Egozi”, the creamy “Pesek Zman”, the crunchy “Kif Kef”, and many new products. It also makes sugarless chocolate bars for diabetics.
Ramat Gan Factory Moves to Upper Nazareth
In 2003, Elite-Strauss closed the Ramat Gan factory and moved its operations to their newer factory in Upper Nazareth where land was cheaper. The factory was expanded and expanded its product line. Today, groups participate in an exciting tour of the factory.
Land Sale to Trump Partners
In 2006, this land was sold to the Crescent Group which involved Donald Trump. The group had plans to develop a 70-story luxury tower building that would carry Trump’s name. The building was never built and the land was sold 18 months later. Today, “Elite Towers” stands on the original factory site.