El Al has announced plans to significantly expand its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, exercising an option to purchase six additional 787-9 aircraft while reserving the right to acquire up to six more in the future — a move that would bring the airline’s total Dreamliner fleet to approximately 34 aircraft.
The airline currently operates 17 Dreamliners and had previously been on track to reach 28 aircraft by the end of the decade. The new announcement extends that trajectory further, raising the possibility of continued fleet growth beyond 2030.
As part of the deal, some existing orders will be upgraded to the larger 787-10 variant, which is expected to seat up to approximately 310 passengers. The 787-9 has a maximum range of about 16.5 hours depending on load conditions, while the 787-10 can fly up to roughly 15.5 hours.
The Dreamliner serves as the backbone of El Al’s long-haul network, operating routes to New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles in the United States, as well as Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo in the east, and several major European cities.
El Al said the expansion is intended to increase seat capacity, improve flight availability and support growth on long-haul routes, though the airline did not announce any new destinations or changes to its passenger product at this stage.
“We are making a focused investment in an advanced fleet that creates double value, both for our customers and for our shareholders,” said El Al CEO Levy Halevy. “Expanding the 787 fleet allows us to increase capacity, improve efficiency and deliver a top-tier flight experience. This is a central step in our strategy to build a modern, profitable and market-leading airline.”
El Al Chairman Amikam Ben Zvi called the agreement “tremendous news,” adding that the airline is “building a strong company with a long-term strategy and vision, featuring a broad and innovative fleet led by the world’s most advanced Dreamliner aircraft.”
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
