All-Boeing customer EL AL Israel Airlines just placed its largest-ever aircraft order, selecting the 737 MAX to replace its 737NG fleet.
Aside from low-cost carriers that only fly a single aircraft type, very few airlines really are loyal to just Boeing or Airbus. EL AL is one such airline, with an all-Boeing fleet that includes single-aisle 737s and widebody 777s and 787s.
The Israeli carrier has two 737 variants: the 737-800 and the 737-900ER. Its 17 737-800s have an average age of just over 20 years, while its 8 737-900ERs average just under 10 years. A year ago, there were talks of the airline possibly replacing its 737s with Airbus jets. But earlier this week, EL AL and Boeing announced that the airline will replace its 737s with the 737 MAX.
EL AL reportedly made a firm order for 20 new Boeing 737s, with another 11 options. This makes the order the biggest, by number of aircraft, that EL AL has ever made. Deliveries should begin from 2028 onwards.
EL AL Gets The 737 MAX – But Which One?
It is interesting to note that neither EL AL nor Boeing specified which MAX variant the airline will be getting. But given the numbers of its existing 737NG fleet AND their age, EL AL will likely first start taking deliveries of the 737 MAX-8.
If the airline elects to firm up its 11 options, those aircraft could be 737 MAX-9s or perhaps MAX-10s, depending on its fleet growth over time. There are also reports that, if needed, EL AL could obtain more new 737s from lessors before 2028.
EL AL first planned this fleet renewal a few years earlier, but postponed its plans because of the pandemic. The airline has also made recent orders for more 787s. Its six Boeing 777-200s have an average age of over 21 years, so newer 787-9s should be suitable replacements.
Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia, CEO of EL AL, said this about the airline’s new 737 MAX order:
“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. The implementation of the long-term procurement plan, which began with the purchase of additional 787 Dreamliners earlier this year and culminates in the current deal, once again demonstrates our commitment to the Israeli public and the state.”
