I was the OP on the thread.
July 7, 2004 I flew El Al Business class from Newark to Tel Aviv on an award ticket booked through American Airlines. 2003 I flew Turkish Air and in 2002 flew El AL. All booked through AA with points. (back in the good old 90,000 points days, sigh)
I generally fly out on a Thursday afternoon/evening to arrive in TLV on Friday afternnon in time to get where I'm going. (Short hop up to Hatsor)
There was even a thread discussing my dissatisfaction with the upstairs 747
service and layout.
My original comment was in the difficulty I'm having this year versus others,the first time I'm having difficulties. I have to be in Israel prior to 7/10, which was no problem, through zurich. It's getting home that is the problem.
In order to get the ticket, I booked a return flight 7/23 Tel Aviv Zurich Montreal NY. I have no intention of flying 7/23, but I wanted to at least get it booked. I'll take the 24, 25 or 26.