A match made in heaven took place twenty-seven years ago when sparks flew between EL AL passengers Randy Arenson of Illinois and Howard Hoffman of Northern California. In July of 1983, on Randy’s birthday, the two briefly met in the EL AL King David Lounge at JFK International Airport prior to their departure for Israel. Both were participating in a Jewish Federation singles mission. On the aircraft, the two again instantly connected and spent most of the flight talking and enjoying each other’s company.

Once Randy and Howard arrived in Israel, their paths continued to cross. Within a few days, they altered their itineraries to join each other’s tour and even extended their stay in Israel. Upon returning home, they commuted between the San Francisco Bay area and Chicago. Nine months later, they married and three children followed. This is the couple’s first trip to Israel since that first life-changing meeting.

The Hoffman’s join hundreds of other couples, either passengers or employees, who have met their spouses because of EL AL. The warm hospitality passengers experience when flying EL AL makes everyone feel at home.

For more information about EL AL Israel Airlines, please visit www.elal.com or call (800) 223-6700. Follow the EL AL USA blog at www.SkyWordsWithELAL.com. To connect with EL AL on Facebook, find the official Facebook page at “EL AL Israel Airlines USA.”

EL AL, Israel’s national airline, has extended its book by date for significant savings for families traveling roundtrip to Israel this summer. With this new family fare promotion, children under the age of 12 traveling with two adults between June 20 and August 19 can fly for less. (As always, the roundtrip fare for children under the age of 2 years is 10% of almost every adult fare.) With this affordable promotion the savings are as follows:

* The first child’s fare will be discounted by 10%
* The second child’s fare will be discounted by 50%
* The third, fourth and fifth child each receive 25% off the adult fare

EL AL also offers child-friendly in-flight amenities that include special healthy kids meals* and an extensive entertainment system with personal TV monitors at every seat. Fun and enjoyable family programming includes popular TV shows, newly released films and the Disney Channel classics. There are also interactive games, such as Animal Factory and Tetris. Plus, any child age 2 thru 12 can become a member of the exclusive EL AL Matmid frequent flyer club and earn the same number of points as any adult even though the ticket is discounted. Matmid members earn free trips to Israel. Travel has to be purchased by May 12th.

To book your family trip on EL AL and to order any special meal, please visit www.elal.com

or contact EL AL directly at (800) 223-6700 or any travel agent.

*Special kids meal must be ordered at least 48 hours prior to departure. Family fare applies to most economy class fares. EL AL reserves the right to cancel promo at any time. Cancellation/change penalties and other restrictions apply.

Do you need any kid-friendly summer vacation ideas and/or airfare deals & discounts for upcoming stories?

EL AL, Israel’s national airline, is offering significant savings for families traveling roundtrip to Israel this summer.

With this new family fare promotion, children under the age of 12 traveling with two adults between June 20 and August 19 can fly for less.

(As always, the roundtrip fare for children under the age of 2 years is 10% of almost every adult fare.)

With this affordable promotion the savings are as follows:

* The first child’s fare will be discounted by 10%
* The second child’s fare will be discounted by 50%
* The third, fourth and fifth child each receive 25% off the adult fare

EL AL also offers child-friendly in-flight amenities that include special healthy kids meals* and an extensive entertainment system with personal TV monitors at every seat.

Fun and enjoyable family programming includes popular TV shows, newly released films and the Disney Channel classics. There are also interactive games, such as Animal Factory and Tetris.

El Al Israel airfare deals for Children

Plus, any child age 2 thru 12 can become a member of the exclusive EL AL Matmid frequent flyer club and earn the same number of points as any adult even though the ticket is discounted. Matmid members earn free trips to Israel.

Travel has to be purchased by April 21st.

To book your family trip on EL AL and to order any special meal, please visit www.elal.com or contact EL AL directly at (800) 223-6700 or any travel agent.

*Special kids meal must be ordered at least 48 hours prior to departure. Family fare applies to most economy class fares. EL AL reserves the right to cancel promo at any time. Cancellation/change penalties and other restrictions apply.

EL AL Israel Airlines is introducing a new promotion whereby passengers departing from many cities in the USA can receive a free travel cell phone to use in Israel and on all future visits. This promotion is available with the purchase of a roundtrip ticket (in certain classes of service) for departures before June 30, 2010 from many cities in the USA either thru EL AL online at www.elal.com or via any travel agent.

With the EL AL travel phone, 60 complimentary minutes of outgoing calls from within Israel is included and there is no charge for incoming calls from anywhere in the world. Additional airtime for outgoing calls are competitively priced with other travel cell phone companies. There are no rental fees or hidden costs and no obligation to purchase additional minutes.

After the EL AL passenger purchases and receives their eticket (in the applicable class of service), they will also receive a code and a link to the registration site (www.elalphone.com ) with simple instructions regarding the cell phone delivery to a location of their choice in Israel.

Once an assigned phone number is received, it belongs to the passenger. A free phone charger included and other accessories such as earphones, blue tooth headsets, car chargers and more are available and attractively priced. For all the details and restrictions, please visit www.elal.com

This offer is available while supply lasts on a first come/first serve basis. EL AL reserves the right to cancel promotion at any time and other restrictions may apply.

EL AL, Israel’s National Airline, landed in Haiti this past Thursday with dozens of medical teams and tons of emergency supplies to assist with rescue and salvage efforts. Two EL AL aircraft, a jumbo 747-400 and one 777, carried more than 80 tons of supplies along with 229 passengers consisting of medical personnel, search-and-rescue teams as well as a K9 rescue squad. The medical teams are prepared to spend at least two weeks in Haiti to care for thousands of earthquake victims. The Israel Ministry of Defense initiated this humanitarian mission.

EL AL CEO Elyezer Shkedy commented, “EL AL immediately responded to the request of the Israeli government and will do anything necessary to assist in this time of tragedy. In our view, as the national airline, it is of top national importance to help these earthquake victims.”

As the national airline of Israel, EL AL proudly and consistently provides support anywhere in the world during times of need, as evidenced by assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and the rescue mission during the war between Georgia and Russia.

As with all Jewish holidays EL AL, Israel’s national airline, is bringing Hanukah to the skies by serving thousands of passengers special holiday treats. An anticipated 1,375 potatoes, 6,600 ounces of raspberry jam, and 68 cups of cinnamon will be used to prepare festive sufganiot (jelly donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) that will be served on flights from New York (JFK/Newark). These treats will also be offered in premium class lounges throughout the world, in addition to the selection of snacks that are usually available. A nightly candle lighting will also take place.

To make sufganiot and traditional latkes at home, follow the easy and tasty EL AL recipes outlined below, created by Executive Chef Steven Weintraub of Borenstein Caterers (a subsidiary of EL AL). Borenstein offers healthy, freshly prepared in-flight kosher meal options which are served to all passengers traveling from New York (JFK/Newark). Continue Reading