Boeing, EL AL Israel Airlines and Air Lease Corporation are celebrating the delivery of the carrier’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner this week. The 787-9, which is being leased through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation, touched down in Tel Aviv on August 23 following a nonstop, 6,746-mile (10,856km) delivery flight from Paine Field, adjacent to Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington.
“The arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a day of pride and joy to all of us at EL AL,” said the airline’s 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. The Dreamliner will ensure our customers receive exceptional comfort, innovative technology, advanced aircraft and quality service.”
“We are honoured to deliver the first 787 Dreamliner to our great partners at EL AL,” said Ray Conner, vice chairman, The Boeing Company. “The 787 Dreamliner will play a key role in the renewal of EL AL’s fleet and growing its network worldwide as it ushers in a new era for the airline, its employees and its customers around the globe.”
EL AL has been an all-Boeing carrier since taking delivery of its first new Boeing aircraft in 1961 and currently operates a fleet of more than 40 airliners including Next-Generation 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s.
