EL AL Israel Airlines Takes Delivery of First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

EL AL Israel Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The 787-9 touched down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday following a nonstop, 6,746 mile (10,856 km.) delivery flight from Paine Field, adjacent to Boeing's factory in Everett, Wash.

EL AL leased the airplane through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation.

"The arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a day of pride and joy to all of us at EL AL," said EL AL Chief Executive Officer, David Maimon. "It is the highlight in the ongoing renewal of the EL AL fleet, which started a year and a half ago when we decided to order 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. We are happy to embark on a new journey with our first Dreamliner."

EL AL has been an all-Boeing carrier since taking delivery of its first new Boeing airplane in 1961 and currently operates a fleet of more than 40 airplanes including Next-Generation 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s.

Boeing says that the 787 delivered uses 20 to 25% less fuel and with 20 to 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

"The arrival of the new airplanes will create a revolution in the customer experience. We have set a very high standard of service and product excellence in order to maintain our position as the first and preferred choice for passengers, travelling both to and from Israel," said Maimon. "I am convinced that this significant procurement of 787s is a great opportunity for us to meet the highest levels expected. The Dreamliner will ensure our customers receive exceptional comfort, innovative technology, advanced aircraft and quality service." 

See latest HD Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: EL AL, Israel, Boeing, 787-9.