El Al currently has 24 737NGs (consisting of 16 Boeing 737-800s and 8 Boeing 737-900ERs), 5 Boeing 777-200ERs, and 16 Dreamliners (consisting of 4 Boeing 787-8s, and 12 Boeing 787-9s).
In March 2024, the Israeli flag carrier announced that it would acquire up to 12 more 787-9s. One of those included a Dreamliner built for Air China, with a dated 2-2-2 business class configuration and no premium economy seating. It includes 293 seats, consisting of 30 business class seats, 34 extra legroom seats, and 229 economy seats. That’s more dense than El Al’s typical 787-9 with 282 seats, consisting of 32 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 222 extra legroom and economy seats.
The Dreamliner that was originally built for Air China is en-route from Charleston, SC to Tel Aviv, and will arrive today at about 5:40pm local time.
The plane is expected to be deployed to Bangkok, Phuket, London, and Paris, but not US routes.
Another 787-9 built for El Al is expected later this year, and another next year with the regular configuration. 3 more 787-9s will arrive between 2029-2030. And the airline has options to buy 6 more, for a potential fleet of 28 Dreamliners.
The airline also has orders for 20 737MAXs that will be delivered between 2028-2031 and an option for 11 more 737MAXs that can be delivered from 2030-2032.
Hopefully, we’ll see some exciting new destinations with those new planes!
The airline has taken heat for its record profits, but has remained a lifeline for getting to and from Israel since October 7th. The airline has capped the fares that it charges, which has helped quell criticism, but also creates artificial scarcity of seats by charging lower prices than the free market would bear.
It recently brought Yael Alexander (and bumped off another passenger to do that 😀 ) to reunite with her son Edan after being released from Hamas captivity. The captain of the flight got a satellite call in-flight about the release being made official, and called Yael up to the cockpit to the share the good news.
Unlike the airline’s other 45 planes named after Israeli cities, this plane will be named, “Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael,” a prayer and song which has resonated across the Jewish nation after October 7th.
El Al writes that Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael is, “A quote from Jewish liturgy expressing a prayer for the return of all hostages to Israel. The full quote reads: “Our brothers, the entire house of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, whether on sea or on land—may God have mercy on them and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from bondage to redemption.” The name was chosen as a moving tribute, symbolizing unity and hope.”
The airline’s 17th Dreamliner will be the first 787 with El Al’s new livery,
“The colors of the Israeli flag were refreshed on the aircraft’s tail, and EL AL’s logo has been updated as part of the airline’s vision to strengthen its connection with the Israeli public and proudly represent Israel around the world. The new livery is part of EL AL’s ongoing maintenance and rebranding strategy. In addition to its visual upgrade, the paint provides essential protection against corrosion, weather conditions, and natural wear and tear.”
What do you think of El Al’s new livery and plane name?
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13 Comments On "El Al Receives First Dreamliner In Updated Livery, Named Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael, Via Air China"
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I’m flying it in to BKK next month BH.. will report back
We need a DDF TR. 🙂
Will ElAl reconfigure the interior to match its other planes?
I believe that is the plan, but for now, they desperately need the extra capacity and won’t take it out of service for a reconfiguration.
“El Al writes that Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael is, “A quote from Jewish liturgy expressing a prayer for the return of all hostages to Israel…”
Actually, this quote from Jewish liturgy is referring to the worldwide Jewish people, who came long before Israel was founded. It was not invented in response to the Israeli hostages.
Correct, but is presently being said in thousands of shuls with the hostages in mind. I find it hard to understand why a beautiful gesture needs to be nitpicked and denigrated.
They need more planes on all their existing US routes.
They’re great but I’m still nervous about the 737MAX
I wonder if the bumped pax received any compensation under Israel’s ASL.
They should’ve went with Airbus. Pandered to the US and look where it got them.
If they would of went airbus it would of been ready for your grandkids.
I saw it at Boeing in Charleston
https://www.yiddish24.com/interviews/12/128473