Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Good News: EL AL Updates Boeing 777 Cabins, Introduces Premium Economy

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross's image

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

710 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 64U.S. States Visited: 17

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Say goodbye to EL AL’s antiquated Boeing 777 cabins. Well, at least 2 of them for now.

The Israeli flag carrier has confirmed plans to overhaul its business class product as well as to remove first class and introduce premium economy.

The updates will bring 2 out of 6 of its oldest aircraft into line with the experience passengers have onboard the airline’s newer, more modern Dreamliners.

Let’s take a look at what’s on the agenda for the aircraft’s first, business, and premium economy cabins.

Premium Economy Replaces First Class

Saying goodbye to EL AL’s first class is no bad thing.

Its old school, 2-2-2 cabin features seats from an era gone by. In fact, it looks more like a premium economy cabin than a first cabin.

The irony is that a premium economy cabin is what the carrier will indeed be introducing when it removes first class.

The Boeing 777s’ new premium economy cabins are expected to be very similar to those that already feature on the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

El Al B787 W Seats
EL AL’s premium economy onboard its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Image Credit: EL AL

Hopefully, despite the slightly wider fuselage of the Boeing 777, the seats will still be configured in a comfortable 2-3-2 layout. By comparison, British Airways opted to squeeze an extra seat per row onto the premium economy cabins of its Boeing 777s, making it a tighter 2-4-2 configuration.

Business Class

With the phasing out of first class, business will now be EL AL’s most premium offering.

The product currently installed on EL AL’s Boeing 777-200s is a long way behind the current industry standard.

The cabin is configured in a 2-3-2 layout (the same as premium economy on its Dreamliners) and not all seats have direct aisle access.

Worse still, the seats don’t even recline into the fully flat position.

While a date hasn’t been set for the rollout of the new cabins, passengers flying in business class on EL AL’s 777s will soon have a far better experience.

El Al B787 J Seat
Business class onboard EL AL’s 787. Image Credit: EL AL

EL AL’s Presence in the U.S.

EL AL is currently selling tickets for nonstop flights to Tel Aviv (TLV) from 7 North American cities: Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), and Toronto (YYZ).

It would seem that each of the 7 routes is operated by the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, meaning that your chances of flying the refreshed Boeing 777s are slim.

That said, a long-haul flight on a Dreamliner would likely be more comfortable and leave you feeling more refreshed than a Boeing 777, no matter how much retrofitting you throw at it.

Final Thoughts

EL AL is updating its Boeing 777 interiors to bring them in line with the times.

While the chances of flying the refurbished jets to or from the U.S. are slim, it’s good to know that your inflight experience will now be much improved should you find yourself onboard one.

Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status