Surviving Terror at 30,000 Feet: Israeli Women Recount Chilling Flight Attack
Two Israeli reservist friends recount the terrifying moments aboard a flight hijacked in a terror attack, detailing the chaotic struggle, the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and their sharp criticism of the airlines.
The story of Rakefet and Osher, close friends from military service who flew to Thailand for a vacation, was supposed to end differently. A split-second decision at the Fly Emirates counter placed them on a terror flight they were never meant to board. In a special interview, the two women share a chilling and fresh testimony about the moments of boarding, the realization that they were going to die, and the moment they understood they were in the middle of a terror attack.
They recount that their initial flight from Bangkok with a connection in Dubai was delayed due to a door malfunction, forcing them to scramble for alternative arrangements so Rakefet could make it back for a close friend's wedding. They ultimately boarded a later flight to Dubai and waited 15 hours to catch the connection to Israel.
The Flight Turns into a Nightmare
From the moment they boarded the final leg, the atmosphere felt wrong. Osher reported feeling unusual chest pressure, while Rakefet noted that all the flight attendants on board were male. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft began to move erratically, violently zigzagging from side to side as passengers began to scream in terror.
"I woke up and thought maybe this is a landing, but it wasn't a landing. It was fast on a level of... it was simply clear that this was a crash, not a landing," Rakefet recalled.
Panic erupted in the cabin as passengers realized a violent incident was unfolding near the cockpit. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the reservist soldiers and former Home Front Command rescue fighters quickly shifted into operational mode.
Taking Control and Landing in Saudi Arabia
While the crew struggled to understand the chaos, Israeli passengers took control of the situation. Rakefet spent the remainder of the flight sitting with a heroic passenger named Oz, monitoring a crew member and preparing to intervene if necessary, while the aircraft lost cabin pressure and communications.
Unbeknownst to the passengers initially, the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia. As the plane touched down, surrounded by Saudi military vehicles, passengers braced themselves for the worst, fearing a hostage situation.
Aftermath and Criticism of Airlines
Following hours on the ground in Saudi Arabia, rescue flights were dispatched. While Rakefet eventually boarded to make it to the wedding, Osher initially refused due to a complete lack of trust in the airline.
Both women directed sharp criticism at Fly Emirates and Fly Dubai, noting that five days after the harrowing ordeal, neither airline had reached out to check on their well-being, sending only an automated satisfaction survey.
