On last Erev Shabbos, a flight traveling from New York City to Toronto got delayed, leading to concern among the many chareidi passengers.
They were not just heading to Toronto for Shabbos, but planning to participate in a Shabbos Achdus with Rav Yitzchok Yochanan Hager, Av Beis Din Vishnitz Williamsburg Shlita, a son of the Vishnitzer Rebbe Shlita, Monsey. They feared the delay was going to result in chilul Shabbos and asked if they would be permitted to get off the plane. Suddenly, they were given the ok to proceed to takeoff.
The flight was given priority, to move ahead of other flights waiting for takeoff. In addition, after touching down in Toronto, the cabin crew asked passengers to permit the chareidim to get off first to permit them to expedite getting to their destination in time. A very brief explanation of Shabbos and their concerns was given over the PA system and the other passengers remained seated to accommodate the frum passengers.
As the frum passengers were getting off the flight, the non-religious passengers on the flight wished them a good Shabbos.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
Not every frum Jew on a plane needs to lead to a negative story.
Which airline?
The article should have included the name of the airline so they get the recognition they deserve for such a simple yet important gesture. At a time when airlines come under such criticism, kol hakovod to them.
Amazing! Please may we know what airline it was?
I would also like to ask that you publicize the name of the airline.
It would be nice to have the opportunity to thank them, in writing and by giving them our business.
Once again another story of booking flights so close to Shabbos leaving themselves very little leaway for delays. I had to fly back from Toronto to NY on Hashana Rabba a year & a half ago & booked the 12:15 PM flight as I would not risk flying later than that on Erev Yom Tov. I know the zeman is probably two hours later so these people should not have booked a flight later than 2:15 as shekia was 8:18 in Toronto this past Friday night. I bussed to Toronto this past weekend & went on the 7:30 Greyhound bus which actually left 8:15 which was more than double the time it takes to get there & BH was in Toronto 6:05 Friday morning. Infact in the winter months when shekia is 4:41 in Toronto I would not go on any bus later than the 8:00 PM bus from Borough Park & would not go on a flight later than 10 AM on Erev Shabbos.
Which airline? Love how they credited the Shabbat passengers with getting early clearances, so they were not only asking a favor of the other passengers, but explaining how they benefited from the Shomer Shabbat passengers on the flight.
very nicely handled. an opportunity for chillul Hashem avoided. would love to know which airline. I am impressed that they were sensitive to the situation but also took into account all the other passengers’ possible negative responses by explaining first that the Jews on board were responsible for helping expedite the delay in the first place.