אל על | אטמוספירה

Pleased to meet us

They welcome you with a warm smile at the airport, making sure you are most comfortable and flying you safely to your destination – EL AL's ground and flight attendants. It's about time we introduced them in person. Meet flight attendant Ortal Cohen.

ID

Each flight is like a chocolate egg with a toy surprise inside ❞

Name: Ortal Cohen Age: 39 Personal status: Single Position: Flight attendant No. of years with EL AL: 15

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Why did you want to work for EL AL? "I was born in Montreal, Canada, and every time I saw EL AL's airplanes taking off, it warmed my heart. Even then, as a child, I dreamed of making Aliyah and becoming part of this family.” What does your position entail? "First and foremost, we, the flight attendants, are here to keep the passengers safe and comfortable on board. We also provide service to the passengers throughout the flight, from serving meals, keeping the cabin clean, addressing and catering to the needs of the various population groups and to even just chatting with the passengers." What is the best part about being a flight attendant? “I love the diversity of encountering different passengers and the dynamic work with the various crews. To me, each flight is like a chocolate egg with a toy surprise inside – we don't know what to expect until the flight takes off." What is most challenging about working for EL AL? "Cases when passengers are disappointed or sad (most of these feelings are unrelated to the flight) or when handling passengers with special needs or physical disabilities. My challenge is in turning every hardship into an opportunity, making their flight an enjoyable experience and seeing them smiling and happy when they disembark." What do you always have in your suitcase? "The Israeli flag" Which is your favorite EL AL destination and why? "Los Angeles, because many of my childhood friends live there, and we often meet there. It's also a wonderful point of departure to other travel destinations."

What do you do in your free time? "I love to spend time with my family, my 3-year-old niece, and meet friends. I travel through Israel, spend time on the beach, do photography as a hobby, and enjoy karaoke nights." What would you do if you were not a flight attendant? "I would probably work for the Ministry of Defense or as a police investigator."

Tips and recommendations from someone who knows:

Hotel: Baker's Cay Resort by Hilton in Key Largo, Florida, with a private beach. Restaurant: Balagan by Chef Assaf Granit in Paris. A gourmet restaurant with an Israeli-French ambiance; and Akoya in Phuket, Thailand, a restaurant with breathtaking landscape and delicious food. Attraction: Lake Havasu in Arizona, a five-hour drive from Los Angeles, where you can rent boats and water bikes and enjoy a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere. A stellar tip: If things don't go according to plan, try to enjoy the moment.

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ATMOSPHERE JULY 2022