Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) has delivered El Al Israel Airlines Ltd.'s (TASE: ELAL) first next-generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane. The delivery is the first of six 737-900ERs the Israeli carrier has on order and is the latest addition to EL AL's all-Boeing fleet.
El Al president and CEO Elyezer Shkedy said, "The purchase of the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft marks the high point of El Al's re-equipping and fleet renewal impetus. This positions El Al at the forefront of international aviation technology, further elevating El Al's in-flight experience."
He added, "Our investment in the new modern economy class seats and in a sophisticated entertainment system, that will be launched in the coming months, is in line with the target we set for ourselves - to provide the best product and most advanced service for passengers and thus retain El Al's status as the most preferred airline for flights to and from Israel."
The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It has the highest capacity and lowest seat-mile cost of Boeing's single-aisle family and fits into EL AL's existing short and medium-haul fleet of Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s.
El Al's 737-900ER will be its first airplane to feature the new Boeing Sky Interior. This interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new LED lighting and curved architecture that welcomes passengers onboard and creates a greater sense of spaciousness and comfort in the cabin. The interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and overhead bins that disappear into the ceiling, yet carry more bags.
El Al's latest addition to its fleet will seat 172 passengers, with all passengers able to enjoy the option of power sockets for their laptops and USB connections. The Israeli-flag carrier operates an all-Boeing fleet of nearly 40 airplanes including next-generation 737s, 747-400s, 767s and 777s and serves 30 destinations worldwide.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 9, 2013
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