With the arrival of the first of its B787-9 fleet, Israeli flag carrier, El Al is introducing an all-new look, including redesigned aircraft interiors, the introduction of premium economy class, an updated livery, and revised brand identities for each class – all intended to reflect the country’s juxtaposition between rich history and high tech.
Business class
When El Al’s Dreamliners begin operations in September 2017, they will be among the first aircraft to fly with Recaro’s CL6710 seat. The 1-2-1 layout in the cabin gives direct aisle access to each of the 32 seats, which also benefit from a 78in fully flat bed, a 21in seat width, 29in of living space and 16in Panasonic IFE monitors.
The CL6710 is a great seat (details available in our June 2015 and 2016 seating reviews, available in the Magazine Archive section), and El Al has made it their own with custom elements to increase personal stowage, and custom branding, trim and finish, all developed with design partner, PriestmanGoode (the airline previously did its design work in-house with some input from Teague).
Premium economy
The Dreamliner will be the first aircraft in El Al’s fleet to feature a premium economy cabin. Recaro was again selected as the seating supplier, with its dedicated premium economy model chosen – the PL3530 – with a custom trim and finish.
Befitting its price point between business class and economy, the 28-seat premium economy cabin will combine the rich textures of the business class cabin with the youthful feel of economy class to create a differentiated but complementary environment.
Premium economy customers will also enjoy a 19in seat width, 38in pitch, and 13in touchscreen IFE.
Above: The textured boucle yarn seat covers in premium economy are a dark blue with subtle hints of gray, complemented by stone accents on the seat boxing, and taupe leather on the headrests embossed with a diamond pattern
Economy class
PriestmanGoode designed the economy cabin to represent the “youthful, entrepreneurial spirit that has led to Israel’s tech revolution”. This youthful energy is reflected in the custom trim and finish on the seats – again Recaro, this time the CL3710 – which feature a technical weave that mirrors the diamond pattern found throughout the rest of the aircraft, complemented by a stitch detail in a metallic blue.
The economy seats have a 31in pitch and a 5in recline, as well as 12in IFE, and power and USB sockets.
Nigel Goode, director at PriestmanGoode commented, “This is the first time that El Al has invested so heavily in design, which is testament to its commitment to its customers, and to the value of design in creating outstanding passenger experiences. Israel is a dynamic and inspiring country, something that is reflected throughout its physical landscape as much as through its people. Collaborating with El Al’s internal team on this project has been an incredibly rewarding process.”
The first of 16 Boeing Dreamliner 787s will join El Al’s renewed fleet in August 2017. Starting in September, the Dreamliner will operate flights to Europe and at the end of October will be gradually integrated into EL AL’s long-haul destinations in North America and the Far East.
