EL AL Orders Up to 31 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

DALLAS — In support of the airline's plans to replace its fleet of Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Boeing and EL AL Israel Airlines (LY) today disclosed that the Israeli flag carrier has signed an agreement for up to 31 737 MAX aircraft.

EL AL took delivery of its first Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 a quarter of a century ago. At the time, LY had two additional 737-800s and two 737-700s on order with the American aircraft manufacturer.

EL AL Israel Airlines CEO Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia stated today, "This is a significant milestone for EL AL, which will allow us to offer our customers the most advanced service and technology experience in the industry."

Ganancia added that the Boeing order was part of a "long-term procurement plan," which began with the purchase of additional Boeing 787. EL AL's procurement for the 737 MAX comes after the airline expanded its Dreamliner fleet earlier this year by purchasing three more 787-9 aircraft, with options to purchase six more.

The carrier intends to lease two additional new 787-9 aircraft in the upcoming years in addition to accepting delivery of one this year. The Israeli carrier celebrated the delivery of it first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2017 via a lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation.

The first LY 787-9 touched down in Tel Aviv following a nonstop, 6,746 mile (10,856 km.) delivery flight from Paine Field, adjacent to Boeing's factory in Everett, Wash.

Six years later, Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes., said, "We are honored EL AL has chosen Boeing airplanes to power its past, present and future as we continue to build on seven decades of partnership."

Pope added, "We know EL AL depends on the versatility and reliability of Boeing airplanes, and we look forward to delivering the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jets that will reshape and grow the airline in the coming decades."