While the uncertainties in Lebanon have weighed heavily on our hearts, we have felt a great sense of pride in Middle East Airlines (MEA), which recently earned itself the unlikely title of world’s most “badass” airline. In this personal piece, our editor, Lisa Jerejian, pays tribute to an airline that has defied the odds and has proven its commitment and dedication to the country, especially during the most turbulent of times.
Like many of my fellow Lebanese, I am as fiercely loyal to MEA as I am to Lebanon. It is a relationship that spans decades, as, since 1982 — the year I was born — MEA has never let me down.
Admittedly, the vast majority of the trips I took as a young child were under circumstances not too dissimilar from the ones we are experiencing lately. As war was devastating our beloved country, MEA was defiantly flying in and out of the conflict zone, ensuring families — like mine — were able to reunite in their homeland.
Growing up in rainy London, we never skipped a summer in Lebanon. In fact, we came most Christmases as well. The strange thing is, I don’t ever recall being scared on any of those flights, even during the darkest days. I just remember the orange-colored seats, the metal ashtrays in the armrests and the rapturous applause signaling our arrival in Beirut.
I also remember the last meal at Juicy Burger, that awful sinking feeling the night before our flight back to the UK and bawling my eyes out on the way to the hot and humid airport. The gigantic world atlas and symbols of the zodiac on the wall of the departure terminal at Beirut airport are forever etched on my memory.
Our holiday ritual only became harder with time; living abroad and seeing family and friends only once or twice a year was not easy. Yet, through it all, MEA remained a constant. They always succeeded in getting us in and out of Lebanon safely.
After a recent trip to the States, I returned to London to catch the ME202 to Beirut, a flight I must have taken over 100 times in my life. Despite the exhaustion I felt after months — some might argue years — of stress in Lebanon, three days gallivanting around New York City, adjusting to different time zones and the long-haul flight I had just endured, I felt peaceful as soon as I caught sight of the beautiful cedar on the tail and wings of the Airbus A321. In the departure lounge, as people were busy trying to make eye contact and spot a familiar face in the crowd, I was content simply admiring the plane.
Boarding took virtually no time at all, for we were only a handful of passengers. However, I couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome. There was no hesitation; the smiles were genuine and the hospitality was on point.
During the public announcement, Captain Wael Abdallah, a pilot with 14 years’ experience at MEA and who I later learned had operated the first flight out of Beirut after the first big explosion in the southern suburbs of the capital on 27 September, apologized for the lack of catering and thanked us for our patience and understanding. Like my fellow travelers that day, I didn’t care much about the metal cutlery and “kafta batata” I was missing out on; I was just elated to be in safe hands.
Among the crew were purser Alaa Ayoub, an MEA employee since 2007, and flight attendant Diana Boustany. They both told me about the kind messages they were receiving from passengers and how people had been waving and clapping at them as they drove past in the MEA van to and from the airport.
I was grateful to have a moment with Captain Abdallah after a perfect landing, something MEA is also known for. He answered with utmost modesty when I asked if he and the other 200 or so captains felt like heroes: “It is our duty toward our country, our people and our company.”
So, while I have visited over 40 countries in my life and still choose to be firmly rooted in Lebanon, none of it would be possible without Middle East Airlines.
To all the MEA crew and those behind the scenes, thank you for always bringing us home.
Lebanon Traveler is part of Hospitality Services, a company that serves the hospitality and foodservice industries in Lebanon and the region. Since its inception in 1993, the firm has worked hand in hand with Middle East Airlines, partnering in some of Hospitality Services’ events and initiatives, including the renowned HORECA Lebanon.