EL AL | Atmosphere

Meet the Crew

They welcome you with a smile when you arrive at the airport, make sure you are comfortable, and fly you safely to your destination – time to get up close and personal with the EL AL Israel Airlines ground and air team. Meet Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Maya Levy Yaacov

“Every woman who enters a male dominated field opens doors for the women who will come after her”

Name: Maya Levy Yaacov | Age: 28 | Marital Status: Married | Position: Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Years at EL AL: 8

How did you start working for EL AL, and more particularly, as aircraft maintenance technician ? “I joined EL AL immediately after my military service, where I served as an aircraft technician. That’s where I discovered my love for this job”. What does a typical day at work look like for you? “It begins with a short meeting in which my team and I discuss work procedures, possible hazards, and important instructions for the day. Then everyone is given their specific tasks and makes sure they understand all the required steps. The actual work includes inspections, repairs, and component replacements”.

What do you find most challenging about your job? “The huge responsibility that rests on your shoulders at every moment. Every screw, connection, or small check can make the difference between safety and risk. It requires constant concentration, attention to the smallest details, quick decision making, and the ability to think several steps ahead – even in times of stress”. How does it feel to be a woman on a team usually composed mostly of men? “It’s a complex experience. Sometimes I feel like I need to prove myself more – to be more precise, more professional, more confident in my decisions. But alongside that, I also receive a lot of support, and I’m treated first and foremost as a professional”. What is the professional moment you’re most proud of? “When I was forced to tackle a particularly complex task on my own – testing and servicing a system I wasn’t used to until then. At first, I felt pressured and wasn’t sure I would be able to solve the problem without help. But I took a breath, learned the details, checked each step over and over again, and managed to complete the job with complete success”.

Photos: courtesy of EL AL

What message would you like to give other women considering a career in technology or aviation? “Don’t be afraid to dream big. Don’t let labels, expectations or old definitions predetermine things for you. Women can do anything and succeed in any field, and every woman who enters a male dominated field opens doors for the women who will come after her”. Where do you see yourself in the future? “I see myself continuing to evolve here at EL AL, which is my professional home. I want to stay on the technical side of the aviation world, but to advance to a more senior managerial or professional position and take the experience I have gained in the field and turn it into a tool that promotes processes, people, and safety”.

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ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2026