El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

EL-AL · Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:34 pm

El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

For years (since 1994 I think) El Al is naming its airplanes after cities and zones in Israel. As Boeing dreamliners gradually replacing aging 747s and 767s, some names of the older airplanes are given to new 787s, and so was the case of Bat Yam.

Bat Yam, a city which is one of Tel Aviv's southern suburbs, was the name given to El Al's 5th and newest 787 (4X-EDE), replacing a 763ER with the same name. For this occasion, the airline made a very nice event – it invited 70 children from the city who volunteered in different aspects at their communities, with their parents and the local mayor to take part in a flight over Israel at this one week old plane, and I was lucky enough to be invited myself.

We started our day at the domestic part of Terminal 1 in TLV, to see for the first time the same airport name at the FIDS:

We were bussed to see this beautiful 1 week old 787:

I asked to go on board few moments before all other passengers to take pictures of the new cabin. El Al's new business class, for the first time with 1-2-1 configuration:

I only saw this seat in photos and trip reports until now and couldn't wait to try it myself:

Great improvement in comparison to LY's older 2-3-2 cabin on 777 and 747:

Premium economy:

Economy:

The large galley in the rear:

Took a quick look to the crew rest:

By the time I got back to my seat in 12K, passengers began to board:

Wing view before pushback:

Not a sight you see every day!

Cabin view:

Lovely map features on the 787:

And off we go:

Flying over Bat Yam, the city that the airplane is named after:

I just can't get enough of this wing view! Such a beautiful airplane:

Passing TLV airport, and heading over Jerusalem and the Dead sea until about 100km from Eilat, than turning back to Tel Aviv. The flight took about 1 hour. Ben Gurion airport:

Over Modi'in:

Over Jerusalem:

A lot of media action during the flight:

With not enough time to serve full meal to 280 passengers, inflight service included sandwich, apple, snack and water:

As many passengers were walking around, I crossed to the other side to take pictures from the left:

Heading back north:

Our shadow:

We landed on runway 21 and taxied back to our position and disembarked:

bgboiflyer · Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:32 pm

Awesome, never had the chance to take business or Europe yet!

agrflyer · Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:10 am

I would not hesitate to fly C-Class in that seat which looks rather cosy to me.
Good to know that I will be back in Tel Aviv on Sunday for 3 days.This time I will fly A3.
The the non-aviation pictures look wonderful!

debonair · Thu Jul 12, 2018 10:31 am

Nice TR - btw. will the B777 fleet refurbished to have the same standards?

ClassicLover · Thu Jul 12, 2018 12:21 pm

Great report and what a wonderful opportunity to do this!

El Al looks really nice in business class - and premium economy and economy. Definitely a decent interior! Good move asking to go on board early to get some pictures, I'd love to be able to do that all the time, but I need to make do with trying to board first then rushing as many pictures as I can before everyone takes seats in my shot.

Superb that you got a picture of the crew rest and got to see it - that is a rarity on its own. Thanks so much for sharing!

El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

Re: El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

Re: El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

Re: El Al's new 787 demonstration flight in Business class

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