TEL AVIV– El Al Israel Airlines (LY) has confirmed plans to complete the refurbishment of all six Boeing 777-200ER aircraft in its fleet by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The widebody jets operate primarily from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), the carrier’s main international hub.
The modernization program aligns the Boeing 777 cabin interiors with the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet, offering a consistent onboard product across long-haul routes. The reconfiguration increases seating capacity while supporting El Al’s broader fleet growth strategy through 2026 and 2027.
El Al Boeing 777 Cabin Upgrade
El Al began restructuring its 777 fleet after the aviation downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic forced the retirement of two aircraft in 2021. The airline had initially written down the value of those jets due to depressed global demand.
As international travel rebounded and aircraft availability tightened worldwide, the carrier reversed course and reactivated one of the retired aircraft. It returned to service after receiving a full cabin reconfiguration aligned with the Boeing 787 design.
The modernization includes upgraded business and economy cabins, improved in-flight entertainment systems, and refreshed interior finishes. By standardizing cabin layouts across its widebody fleet, El Al aims to improve operational flexibility and passenger experience.
The airline estimates that refurbishing the first three aircraft has cost approximately $30 million. The remaining aircraft will undergo similar upgrades before the first quarter 2027 deadline.
The airline has already completed cabin upgrades on three of the six Boeing 777 aircraft. Each aircraft now features a 313-seat configuration, replacing the previous 279-seat layout.
El Al Fleet Expansion Plan
El Al plans to return the second retired Boeing 777 to service later this year after completing its refit. Once operational, the airline will maintain a six-aircraft 777 fleet supporting long-haul routes.
In parallel, the carrier expects to expand its total fleet to 55 aircraft during 2026. This includes the addition of another Boeing 787, which will increase its Dreamliner fleet to 18 aircraft, reported Flight Global.
The airline is also strengthening its narrowbody operations. It agreed in the third quarter of 2025 to acquire two Boeing 737-800 aircraft from a foreign seller, further expanding its short- and medium-haul capacity.
One of the 737-800 jets has already entered service, while the second is scheduled for delivery in the first half of the year. Upon completion of these additions, El Al will operate 50 aircraft directly, with five additional aircraft operating on its behalf under wet-lease agreements.
El Al Long-Haul Strategy
The refurbishment of the 777 fleet plays a strategic role in El Al’s long-haul network development. The aircraft primarily serve high-demand routes to North America, Europe, and select Asian destinations.
By increasing seat density from 279 to 313 seats per aircraft, the airline enhances revenue potential while maintaining competitive cabin standards. The alignment with the 787 interior concept also simplifies branding and service consistency.
El Al’s fleet plan reflects a broader effort to modernize while maintaining operational resilience. The combination of upgraded widebodies and expanded narrowbody capacity positions the airline for sustained growth in a competitive global market.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
