Turbulence Ahead: Are the skies less friendly to Observant Jews?
Illustrations by Esti Friedman
The thin piece of colored cloth that accompanies virtually every COVID regulation on the ground has created some atmospheric pressure in the formerly friendly skies as well.
Flight attendant crews, once limited to reminding passengers to fasten seatbelts and pouring out frothy cups of warm Diet Coke, have now been handed their roughest job yet ensuring that every passenger, every second of the time, has every part of their lower face covered.
Given that this directive has led to an increasing number of complaints by Orthodox Jews who feel they’ve been unfairly targeted for enforcement, should families think twice before they fly? Or should they give more consideration when choosing an airline?