In preparation for Pesach, EL AL, Israel’s national airline has begun planning for the chag. All EL AL aircraft, every EL AL kitchen, as well as all catering equipment will undergo a thorough cleaning and rabbinical inspection.
Worldwide, EL AL is the only airline that specially prepares every meal kosher for Pesach. To accommodate the 15% increase in passenger traffic (compared to the same period last year), EL AL is adding four jumbo 747-400 nonstop flights from New York (JFK/Newark), which is in addition to the regular schedule of 33 nonstops from the U.S.A. every week.
More than 650 pounds of gefilte fish, 400 pounds of smoked salmon, 28 gallons of horseradish, 325 pounds of smoked trout, 275 pounds of kosher for Pesach assorted chocolates and more than 45,500 packages of individually wrapped matzoh will be served on EL AL nonstop flights from New York(JFK/Newark). The same special preparations will take place on nonstop EL AL flights departing from Los Angeles and Ben Gurion Airport in Israel to every destination worldwide.
On every EL AL flight during the chag, all beverages, including wine, are complimentary and kosher for Pesach. In keeping with the Pesach laws, beer and whiskey, which contain grain, are removed from all flights. Matzoh instead of any bread products is served with every meal. Roasted almonds and dried fruit are healthy snacks. And, EL AL uses only new and disposable dishes, glassware, and cutlery.
Special EL AL Glatt Kosher Regal meals for Pesach will also be available on all EL AL flights departing New York (JFK/Newark). As with any special meal, the Regal meals must be ordered at least 24 hours prior to departure by calling your travel agent or EL AL at (800) 223-6700.
Chef Steven Weintraub, Executive Chef of Borenstein Caterers, has worked with some of New York’s finest chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Bob Spiegel and Jean-Georges Vongerichten before joining Borenstein Caterers in September of 2007. Chef Weintraub freshly prepares all EL AL meals for flights departing New York (JFK/Newark).
Worldwide, EL AL flies to more than 40 destinations from Israel and serves dozens of other destinations throughout the world via partnerships with many other carriers (including 22 additional cities in the U.S.A.). The airline has annual revenues of about $2.1 billion and carries more than 1.9 million passengers every year.
{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}
