Why was this flight different from any other flight? The week before Passover, it was Delta’s first direct flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv in 11 years.
Delta 248 took off from Atlanta on Sunday, March 26, to fanfare and frivolity at the gate, which was festooned with Israeli, American and Georgia flags, Jewish stars, and an archway of blue, white, and gold balloons.
“We are delighted to finally be able to celebrate the reinstatement of direct flights between Atlanta and Tel Aviv, and greatly appreciate the decision by Delta to increase the frequency and offer daily flights as of mid-April,” Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, later reflected.
“We’re excited to help connect these two important markets,” added Drake Castaneda, Delta’s manager of corporate communications.
The direct flight ended in 2009 when Delta decided to consolidate service through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. According to Castaneda, “It made more sense for efficiency of the route at the time.”
With the waning of the COVID pandemic, Delta has seen a resurgence in demand for international travel. Hence the return of the beloved direct flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv.
Like many other Atlantans, I had missed having a direct option. That’s why I quickly signed up for the inaugural journey when it was first spotted online. Having traveled to Israel many times, I was thrilled to avoid a layover elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad. Over the years, I have spent many hours waiting for connecting flights in New York, Newark, Miami, Toronto, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. The algorithm for choosing an airline and route for this almost-annual trip to Israel included price, weather, layover time and world events. For instance, I once switched plans when flights in France looked tenuous due to airline staff strikes.
Thankfully, the Delta direct flight has simplified the equation. The wide-body Airbus A350 may be just the ticket for a less stressful experience. “This is the most orderly boarding process to Israel I’ve seen,” marveled Sara Carter, a fellow Atlantan on the March 26 flight.
Yes, passengers were generally calm and followed procedures. They included additional security measures such as having their photos taken when presenting the tickets at the gate before boarding, plus random additional screening.
The plane can seat 339, but the inaugural flight wasn’t full, which added to the chill, peaceful vibe. The ranks included lawyers, teachers, journalists and even an Israeli baseball player. Tomer Erel, 18, an Israel National Baseball Team bullpen catcher for scrimmage games, had been in Miami for the World Baseball Classic.
“It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” said Erel, sporting a cool blue Israel Baseball sweatshirt.
I had expected to shave off some flying time, but it took 12 hours from Atlanta to Tel Aviv, because the plane headed north, then hung a right to go east across the Atlantic. One of the four pilots explained that it would actually take longer to follow the equator.
The passengers did get special treatment, though.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tel Aviv,” a pilot said. “Ben Gurion Airport is giving us a special word of welcome. They’ve got the water cannons out. You might be able to see them on the left- and right-hand side, because we’re the inaugural flight of the 350 into Tel Aviv.”
[Published in Atlanta Jewish Times, April 12, 2023]