El Al Airlines today unveils the upgraded model of the wide-body Boeing 777-200. For the past five months, El Al’s maintenance department has been working to refurbish and improve the first of the company’s six 777 aircraft.
The main part of the renovation is replacing all the seats on the plane with slim and comfortable SLIM type ergonomic seats that adjust themselves to the passenger’s body pressure, and also allow for greater space for the legs. This also allows for an increase in the number of seats, and the refurbished plane has 313 seats, compared to 279 on El Al’s other 777 planes. Apparently, it was expected that increasing the number of seats on the same deck area would make the plane more crowded. But it turns out not, because the SLIM seats are relatively thin. This makes the 777 El Al’s largest aircraft.
In tourist class there are 21 rows in a 3-4-3 view and another 4 rows in the rear in a 2-4-2 view.
The front premium class has 24 spacious seats, in four rows in a 2-4-2 layout. But the big innovation is in the 28 new seats of the business class. These are seats with partitions and curtains like in the Dreamliner planes.
In addition, in the improved plane, the entertainment system was replaced with larger screens than before, with a personal touch in HD technology, and with an abundance of movies, music albums, audio books and games.
USB type C sockets have also been added to all departments, which will allow charging for mobile phones and laptops. In addition, the upgraded plane also implemented one of the most advanced and innovative WIFI systems in the world of aviation. Moreover, the refurbished plane has ten toilet cubicles, compared to only 9 in the other 777 planes. This can shorten the queues before the toilets a bit.
The VP of Maintenance and Engineering, Shlomi Karako, presented the innovations, and explained: “The concept and design were like the Dreamliner, and a little beyond. We invested in comfort and aesthetics, and we worked with 42 suppliers from the best manufacturers in the world of aviation.” He revealed that the renovation budget for all six 777 aircraft amounts to approximately 50 million dollars. This large amount gives new meaning to the saying “a seat will be expensive in the sky”. For that amount you can buy a used 737 aircraft.
The VP of Communications, Shlomi Am Shalom, added that the average age of El Al’s aircraft fleet has dropped to at least ten years, compared to an average age of 21 years before the corona virus. in 16 new Dreamliner 787 planes made of nylon. Shlomi with peace also said that the refurbished plane will take off as early as next month in August. Immediately after that, another 777 plane will be put into the hangar for a similar series of upgrades.
The refurbished plane is named after the city of Sderot. The Mayor of Sderot, Alon Davidi, was also invited to the ceremony for the presentation of the plane, who congratulated: “I congratulate El for the initiative to give the plane the name of the city of Sderot. Despite the terror from Gaza, the city of Sderot manages to grow and take off, just as the El Al company takes off with a plane bearing the name of Sderot . I was very impressed by the modern and upgraded plane, by the number of seats that were added, by the comfort and concern for the flight attendants, flight attendants and pilots, who work long hours. Continue to take off into the distance as Sderot takes off.”
