El Al has announced a significant expansion of its Dreamliner fleet as part of a broader effort to increase long-haul capacity. The airline will exercise an option to purchase six additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft and will consider acquiring up to six more in the future — for the first time raising the potential size of its Dreamliner fleet to about 34 aircraft. At the same time, some orders will be upgraded to the larger 787-10 model, which is expected to seat up to about 310 passengers.
El Al currently operates 17 Dreamliners and is expected to reach 28 aircraft by the end of the decade — a target already known in the industry. The new development is the possibility of further expansion beyond 2030, which would increase the fleet to around 34 aircraft.
The Dreamliner fleet forms the backbone of the airline’s long-haul operations, serving destinations in the United States — New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles — as well as eastern destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo, alongside major European cities. According to the company, the range of the 787-9 is up to about 16.5 hours, while the 787-10 can fly up to about 15.5 hours, depending on passenger load, baggage and fuel.
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El Al's fleet of Dreamliners will grow in the coming years
(Photo: Ronen Fefer / Shutterstock)
The airline said the fleet expansion is intended to increase seat capacity, improve flight availability and support the expansion of its route network, particularly on long-haul routes. However, no details have been provided at this stage regarding new destinations or specific changes to the passenger product beyond what was outlined in the announcement.
“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 added that “especially at this time, signing such a significant agreement with Boeing, enabling the acquisition of six additional 787 Dreamliner aircraft and an option for further expansion, is tremendous news for El Al. We are 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.”