David Maimon, CEO & President of EL AL Israel Airlines, announced the acquisition of 16 new Dreamliner aircraft with an investment of over $1.25 billion.
The first of 16 Boeing Dreamliner 787’s, the world`s most advanced aircraft, will join EL AL's renewed fleet in August 2017. Starting in September, the Dreamliner will operate flights to Europe and at the end of October will be gradually integrated into EL AL's long-haul destinations in North America and the Far East.
EL AL Presents:
A new Business Class, offering maximum comfort and privacy with advanced full-flat bed seats by Recaro, a world leader in aircraft seating.
A new service class - Premium Economy - The new way to fly!
EL AL is proud to introduce a new service class, delivering passengers a premium experience.
A new advanced AVOD entertainment system by Panasonic, providing HD screens to all passengers.
High-speed Internet by ViaSat will be launched in 2018 on the Dreamliner aircraft fleet.
A massive investment in advanced seats and upgraded entertainment systems will reach fruition, as EL AL's new 787-9 Boeing aircraft, the first of 16 advanced aircraft, will land in Israel.
David Maimon , President & CEO of EL AL: “I am proud to announce that following a year and a half of major preparations by all of us at EL AL in anticipation of the new Dreamliner’s arrival, EL AL is embarking on new era. The expected arrival of the new 787 aircraft will be the peak of EL AL`s renewal momentum, creating a revolution in customer experience across all flight interfaces.
“We continue to implement EL AL`s vision - to lead the aviation market in Israel and to be the first choice airline for all customers traveling to and from Israel, while providing quality and uncompromising service for the benefit of our customers.
As part of this plan, EL AL purchased 16 modern Dreamliner aircraft, taking a major step forward in passenger service and flight experience. These aircraft will be gradually phased-in by 2020 and replace the existing 747-400 and 767-300 fleets. The advanced aircraft are state-of-the-art, offering many operational advantages and known as highly efficient and economical in fuel consumption, utilization and maintenance. These aircraft will be joining the Company's new 737-900 aircraft, which are already operating on short-hauls to Europe, modernizing the EL AL fleet.
With these aircraft, EL AL is raising the bar in terms of service, flight comfort, as well as the upgraded product and flight experience it delivers its customers.”
Maimon added: “We set the bar high in terms of service and product excellence, in order to better perform in the competitive arena and maintain our position as the first choice airline for all customers traveling to and from Israel.”
I am convinced that this significant acquisition program is a great opportunity to meet our customers` expectations and continue EL AL's renewal momentum, offer our customers maximum comfort, technological innovation, advanced aircraft and high quality service”, Maimon summarized.
Raymond Conner , Vice Chairman of the Boeing Company :" It is an enormous sense of pride and a huge honor for everyone at Boeing that EL AL continues to operate an all-Boeing fleet and we could not more thrilled that EL AL will soon join the growing family of 787 Dreamliner operators. The Dreamliner will play an integral part in continuing to grow the EL AL brand worldwide and its capability to profitably open new routes from Tel Aviv, flying passenger’s non-stop to where they want to go in exceptional comfort with a new business class and premium economy product."
Conner added: "The Dreamliner is unparalleled in performance, delivering unmatched fuel efficiency up to as much as a 47 per cent saving of fuel between Tel Aviv and New York, JFK compared to the 747 currently operating the route. The key to this exceptional performance is a revolutionary design which includes the use of lightweight carbon fibre composite materials which make up 50 per cent of the primary structure of the Dreamliner, including fuselage and wing and a modern system architecture that is simpler, more functional and more efficient than that of other airplanes. We are confident the Dreamliner is going to play.