(Courtesy of EL AL) The CEO of EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd. Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, on her first visit to the West Coast since taking her new role in May 2022, announced an increase in EL AL’s winter service between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv from three flights a week to five, the same number it operates during the rest of the year.
Ben-Tal Ganancia was invited to Los Angeles by Gina Raphael, chair of the Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO) California, to participate in a special event on November 29. Over 200 supporters of WIZO came together to honor Raphael with the 2022 Leadership Award. Ben-Tal Ganancia, the first female CEO of an Israeli airline, participated in a discussion about women in leadership moderated by Shirin Yadegar, founder of L.A. Mom magazine.
Raphael announced a new initiative of WIZO California, in partnership with EL AL. “The Women’s Leadership program’s objective is to empower women and girls at home as we work on behalf of women and children in Israel,” she said. Both entities have made a commitment to continue empowering women through education and awareness.
Later that day, Dr. Hillel Newman, the consul general of Israel to the Pacific Southwest, hosted a special reception at his residence for relevant leaders of the Los Angeles community. During the event, Ben-Tal Ganancia confirmed that EL AL is increasing its flights between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv during the winter season and will operate five weekly flights throughout the year. In past years, EL AL reduced the number of flights from five to three during the winter season.
“The strong connection between EL AL and the Los Angeles community demands that we maintain our five weekly flights between Los Angeles and Israel through the winter,” said Ben-Tal Ganancia. “Our customers deserve a taste of Israel on their way to the Holy Land on five flights a week during the winter. We are the only airline that can offer that.”
Dr. Newman welcomed the move. “EL AL is a strategic asset for the State of Israel and has been a bridge between the State of Israel and the world since the beginning of our nation,” he said. “EL AL is serving a fundamental economic and business function by connecting Israel to the world and promoting tourism to Israel.”
EL AL has just been named a Five Star carrier in the APEX survey for the second year in a row. In the survey, passengers rated flights operated by different carriers on five elements of inflight service—seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi—and gave EL AL a Five Star rating.
All EL AL flights serving the United States are operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring the latest amenities including lie-flat seats in Business Class, gourmet meals and an extensive choice of wines and beverages, as well as Wi-Fi. EL AL’s Premium Class offers Business Class amenities and comfortable seats with a footrest and extended legroom.
