An international flight from New York was disrupted after ultra-orthodox Jewish passengers insisted they couldn’t sit next to women.
An El Al flight from JFK Airport to Israel on September 23 saw ultra-orthodox passengers stand in the aisles before take-off, which delayed the flight.
Some orthodox passengers (haredim) even offered money to fellow travellers to change seats.
After the captain stated he would not take-off until everyone was seated, the plane did eventually leave.
One passenger said ultra-orthodox travellers suggested she and her spouse split up to better accommodate their desired seating arrangements.
“Why should I agree to switch places?” she said with anger.
After she refused, the haredi man seated next to her conceded, but it was only temporary.
“I ended up sitting next to a haredi man who jumped out of his seat the moment we had finished taking off and proceeded to stand in the aisle.”
After take-off, a large portion of the haredi took to the aisles to pray which, according to their fellow travellers, crowded the aisles and caused the flight to be unbearable.
Many passengers were flying to Israel to celebrate the Rosh Hashanah festival.