Meir Weingarten of Ariel Tours was kind enough to provide me with a booklet from El Al that contains the following:
Our sages show the way. Customs of Gedolei Torah During Flights.
Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner, author of Shevet Halevi:
When the "fasten seatbelts" sign is lit, one should sit down and seated. One should refrain from praying in large groups; it is preferable to pray in small groups in the seating area. The same is true for Shemoneh Esrei. If there is a possibility of standing beside one’s seat, not in the aisles, then that is preferable. If this is not possible the Shemoneh Esrei prayer can be recited while seated. If the fasten seatbelts sign goes on. one should immediately sit down in his place and continue Shemoneh Esrei while seated.
(For the full response see page 26)
Click here to read moreThe Custom of the Rishon Letzion, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef:
(During a flight) Rabbi Ovadia Yosef customarily prays individually and not together with a group so as not to disturb others, for fear of robbing another person’s sleep. (Halachic Guide for the Passenger, Rabbi Rafael Avraham Suaya, Chapter 9, Para. 1, p. 76)
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. ob"m:
Praying During a Flight – Sitting Down
"One who prays on a plane during a flight should recite the Shemoneh Esrei while seated in his place and not while standing in the aisles, where he will disturb others trying to pass. In any case, the Rav was not supportive of conducting minyanim during a flight, because it disturbs the rest of the passengers around them."
(Halichos Shlomo. p. 95)
