El Al Expands Boeing 787 Fleet in $1.5B Deal

Israeli flag carrier El Al announced on April 16 that it is expanding its Boeing 787 Dreamliner order in a deal worth roughly $1.5 billion, exercising options for six additional aircraft and converting four of them to the larger 787-10 variant.

Terms of the Deal

El Al is exercising its option to buy six 787-9s and converting four into the larger 787-10, which offers more seats and better fuel economics. Deliveries are scheduled between 2030 and 2032. The carrier was also granted additional options for up to six more 787s for delivery between 2033 and 2035.

Fleet Trajectory

The airline currently operates 17 Dreamliners and aims to grow that fleet to 28 by the end of the decade, with as many as 34 in the long term. The expansion reflects El Al's bet that long-haul demand from Israel will continue to outstrip the country's smaller carriers and incoming foreign capacity.

Wartime Market Position

El Al has dominated the Israeli market during the Gaza and Iran conflicts as most foreign carriers suspended Israel routes for safety and insurance reasons. The order signals confidence that the carrier can lock in long-term advantage even after foreign airlines return, by securing Dreamliner slots well into the next decade.