Photo: Tomás Del Coro / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
TEL AVIV, Israel – El Al’s 18th Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, named “Am Yisrael Chai” and registered 4X-EDO, has landed at Ben Gurion Airport after a nonstop flight from Boeing’s facility in Charleston, South Carolina. The aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water salute on arrival.
The photograph shows a different El Al 787-9, 4X-EDD, in 2019. It is an archival photo, not the new aircraft.
About 30% of the fuel used on the delivery flight was sustainable aviation fuel, El Al said. Sustainable aviation fuel has a similar make-up to conventional jet fuel but is produced from renewable sources, which cuts carbon emissions. El Al said the use of it on this flight is part of its environmental commitments, including its participation in the International Air Transport Association’s IEnvA environmental program.
The new aircraft has 271 seats in three classes: Business, Premium and Economy. It brings El Al’s fleet to 52 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. El Al’s Dreamliners fly nonstop to destinations including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Thailand and Japan, and the airline has said it will soon launch nonstop service to Buenos Aires and Seoul.
“The arrival of our 18th Dreamliner, proudly bearing the name ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’ reflects EL AL’s strength, our belief in the path ahead and the airline’s continued growth,” El Al Vice Chairman Kenny Rozenberg said. “For me, strengthening the connection between Jewish communities around the world and the State of Israel is both a core value and a lifelong mission.”
Why it matters: the delivery adds long-haul capacity as El Al expands its network. Still unknown: when the aircraft will enter passenger service and on which routes. This report will be updated as El Al releases details.
JBizNews Desk | Tel Aviv, Israel
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