An El Al-Israel airlines Bristol Britannia turboprop plane completed this week-end the first non-stop flight between the United States and Israel in 14 hours and 57 minutes. The aircraft took off from New York’s International Airport at 1:24 local time and touched down at Lydda airport in Israel at 11:21 local time. The distance between New York International Airport and Lydda International Airport is over 6, 000 statute miles.
An all-Israeli crew headed by Capt. Zvi Tohar, Chief Pilot of the line, flew the plane. Also on board was Yoel Palgi director of operations of El Al and ” Jed” Williams, considered one of the outstanding authorities on long-range high altitude navigation in commercial civil aviation today. Mr. Williams was responsible for plotting the plan of the fight, designated “Operation David. “
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
