Bangkok, Thailand – El Al Cancels Flight to Prevent Sabbath Desecration

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    file photoBangkok, Thailand – El Al airline passengers in Bangkok, Thailand were ordered off the plane due to the company’s commitment not to desecrate the Sabbath.

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    The 120 passengers, some of whom already were on the plane, were told that mechanical problems would prevent the flight taking off to Tel Aviv as scheduled.

    El-Al’s CEO, decided to postpone the flight until Motzei Shabbas. Passengers were accommodated in Bangkok hotels. Shomer Shabbas passengers were booked at hotels within walking distance of Bangkok’s Chabad House, where they held prayer services and ate Sabbath meals.

    El Al noted that its decision cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, El Al remains committed to Sabbath observance.


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    25 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Its all marketing, not out of love to the Almighty.

    A jew in IL
    A jew in IL
    14 years ago

    SO WHAT a marketing ploy…… They did it and made arrangements for Jews that live in the Holyland. Come here and live a little instead of the GALUT where they make big parties for Ganavim in the TOMBS! AND say “poor SAP what would his think about his father for NOT being at his BM”

    ZR
    ZR
    14 years ago

    Gotta give credit where credit is due.

    BTW the Chabad House in Bangkok is impressive. There’s a subsidized kosher restaurant and a small kosher product store as well as free internet to attract Jewish travellers, in addition to the shul.

    When I stopped by there were many non-chabad chareidim eating and enjoying the Jewish and heimish atmosphere in an otherwise Jewishly isolated city.

    JH
    JH
    14 years ago

    To # 1 – you are sick… if they fly on shabbos you blast them, if they talk about flying you would boycot them. when they actually dont fly on shabbos at an expense to themselves of tens of thousands of dollars you somehow still find a way to admonish them. what is wrong with you? What would make you happy?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    shaboss expenses get paid back

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Many frummes would find a heter for a hefsed meruba, so this is really nice I am proud to be a jew

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I think it shows values…they stuck to their policy even though it cost El Al a fortune. I’m impressed. #1 , stop being so cynical.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    who cares why they did it!! first people complain about how terrible it is that they are mechalel shabbos. then the secular CEO, CFO, etc,say “ok fine, well accomidate you guys in light of your protets,” and you have a fit because its done with “marketing” in mind. youll never be happy.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    #1 u surely woke the dead!!!

    cranberry stuffer
    cranberry stuffer
    14 years ago

    wonderful, Mi ke’amcha Yisrael! My next flight will be on elal, unless continental is more than $50 cheaper.

    impressed
    impressed
    14 years ago

    Wow, I am so impressed with ElAl. #1 you should learn good midos from ElAl!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    they will make sure that everyone hears that they lost tens of thousands of dollars because they waited til after shabbos. Anyway, there is no need 2 cost so much more for delaying a flight by 24 hours. I wonder if they provided kosher food to all their passenegers while they waited!!!

    yankal
    yankal
    14 years ago

    How familiar it is to see crowds rioting and protesting. Question. Has anyone ever witnessed a thank you crowd?

    reader
    reader
    14 years ago

    if they go out of their way for Shabbos, I will go out of my way – and even spend more – to fly with them!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Hey #1 , get a life! Pick up a gemara instead of writing nasty complaints. I am sure everything you do is L’shmah such as writing your post here. Keep up the good work….looser!

    moishe from  kiryat sefer
    moishe from kiryat sefer
    14 years ago

    In times like these it’s good we can have somehing to be proud of

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    The cost was not just keeping the plane but also putting up passengers in hotels.

    If it wasn’t leshem shomayim it was leshem satisfying the desires of their religious customers, all the more reason for them to be personally thankful.