Can you fly on the Sabbath?

Answer 1

Christian View

For those Christians - primarily a minority of fundamentalist/evangelicals who still observe the 7th Day Sabbath - sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, the Sabbath rest is for abstaining from your usual work routine and attending your local Church group (or participating via T.V. broadcasts or internet viewing). Here members and guests will consider God and His Creation, hear a sermon or teaching and socialize together.

In effect then, one should be preparing themselves to come together to worship God as Creator. However, the 'letter of the law' burdens Jesus discussed in the New Testament apply. If it was of a dire necessity that was otherwise unavoidable, yes you may fly to resolve the urgent issue. If it was just for leisure or comfort or plain desire, then one should be planning said flight in a more appropriate way, i.e...fly on the other 6 days of the week as needed.

Jewish View

According to Jewish religious Law (Halakhah), flying on Shabbat is a violation of about 10 of the 39 tasks (melachot) which are prohibited on Shabbat. As a result, flight is is not permissible on Shabbat unless life-or-death circumstances are involved. It is for this reason, for example, that the Israeli National Airline El-Al does not fly on Shabbat.