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Vintage airline ads invite you to Israel

Gallery of old posters shows how the Jewish state was presented to the world in the first few decades of its existence.

Travelers today have grown accustomed to low-cost airlines, last-minute deals, and vacation packages.

 

 

But there was a time when affordability and convenience were not tourism's main selling point. It was not so long ago that advertisements for tourism in Israel promised something more.

 

A curated gallery of vintage posters shows how Israel was presented to the world as an attractive destination.

 

No special deals. No packages. Just illustrations and photos of Israel.

 

Trans World Airlines (TWA) was bought by American Airlines after the September 11 attacks in 2001. But long before that, the company used illustrations by artist David Klein to promote its flights to Israel. In this 1965 poster, an illustration of Noah's ark underscores the Holy Land's biblical past
Trans World Airlines (TWA) was bought by American Airlines after the September 11 attacks in 2001. But long before that, the company used illustrations by artist David Klein to promote its flights to Israel. In this 1965 poster, an illustration of Noah's ark underscores the Holy Land's biblical past

Noah's ark was replaced in 1970 with Jerusalem
Noah's ark was replaced in 1970 with Jerusalem

At the end of the 70s, another icon – the menorah – was selected
At the end of the 70s, another icon – the menorah – was selected

British airline B.O.A.C., which operated until the mid-70s, highlighted Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv
British airline B.O.A.C., which operated until the mid-70s, highlighted Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv

Air France was among the first airlines to fly to Israel when the airport in Lod was opened. This poster shows landscapes from around the country (excluding the Palestinian Territories, and before the Golan Heights was part of Israel.) Views include farmland in the Jezreel Valley, ships in Haifa, Habima Theater in Tel Aviv, and camels in the desert
Air France was among the first airlines to fly to Israel when the airport in Lod was opened. This poster shows landscapes from around the country (excluding the Palestinian Territories, and before the Golan Heights was part of Israel.) Views include farmland in the Jezreel Valley, ships in Haifa, Habima Theater in Tel Aviv, and camels in the desert

 

The airline promoted its flight as early as 1949 with this poster showing the walls of Jerusalem
The airline promoted its flight as early as 1949 with this poster showing the walls of Jerusalem

Air France launched a more abstract poster in 1968 showing a menorah. It was designed by famous painter Georges Mathieu
Air France launched a more abstract poster in 1968 showing a menorah. It was designed by famous painter Georges Mathieu

Swissair poster from 1965
Swissair poster from 1965

 

This early Swissair poster from 1951 shows a man dressed in haredi clothes with a donkey
This early Swissair poster from 1951 shows a man dressed in haredi clothes with a donkey


Swissair later publicized its Israel flights using striking aerial photos. This poster from 1971 shows citrus groves
Swissair later publicized its Israel flights using striking aerial photos. This poster from 1971 shows citrus groves

Swissair's aerial ads continued into the 90s. Herodium is seen here
Swissair's aerial ads continued into the 90s. Herodium is seen here

This poster shows the moshav of Nahalal
This poster shows the moshav of Nahalal

Swedish airline ABA, which became part of SAS, promoted its new destinations in the early 60s
Swedish airline ABA, which became part of SAS, promoted its new destinations in the early 60s

The oldest poster in this article was created by Dutch airline KLM, which advertised its flights to what was then still known as Palestine. Lod was still known as Lydda at the time. Departure from New York was on Friday, and arrival was on Monday
The oldest poster in this article was created by Dutch airline KLM, which advertised its flights to what was then still known as Palestine. Lod was still known as Lydda at the time. Departure from New York was on Friday, and arrival was on Monday

 

British airline BEA, operational between the 1940s and 70s, advertised Israel without any pictures of illustrations of the country, but with a large sun in this 70s ad
British airline BEA, operational between the 1940s and 70s, advertised Israel without any pictures of illustrations of the country, but with a large sun in this 70s ad

 

This unusual poster was created by artist Jacques Auriac for Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national airline.
This unusual poster was created by artist Jacques Auriac for Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national airline.

This ad from the 1980s was made for Belgian airline Sabena, which ceased operations in 2001
This ad from the 1980s was made for Belgian airline Sabena, which ceased operations in 2001

 

El Al, 1950s-80s
Alt-Neuland, 1955
Alt-Neuland, 1955

Escaping the winter of 1962
Escaping the winter of 1962

Highlighting the weather again in 1965
Highlighting the weather again in 1965

Promoting the Israel Festival in 1969
Promoting the Israel Festival in 1969

The dove of peace, 1970
The dove of peace, 1970

Created by artist Arthur Villeneuve, 1974
Created by artist Arthur Villeneuve, 1974

Playing up the religious, historical aspect
Playing up the religious, historical aspect

Again alluding to ancient history
Again alluding to ancient history

 

Only eight hours from Paris – a cause for complaint these days
Only eight hours from Paris – a cause for complaint these days

Abstract design, 1980
Abstract design, 1980

Rising star, 1980
Rising star, 1980

Aerial view of Jerusalem, 1985
Aerial view of Jerusalem, 1985

Arkia advertises Eilat and Sharm el-Sheikh in 1975
Arkia advertises Eilat and Sharm el-Sheikh in 1975

Another Arkia poster for Eilat
Another Arkia poster for Eilat

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.14.15, 14:59
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