Boeing and EL AL have announced that the Israeli national carrier has completed a contract to order four Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range) and reserve options for future aircraft. The four-airplane order is valued at approximately $343.2 million at current list prices.

“By almost any measure, from the passenger experience to operating performance, EL AL has earned a place among the world’s top airlines,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The decision to add 737-900ERs to their fleet will help solidify EL AL’s position as a leading airline. Boeing is proud of our longstanding partnership with EL AL, and honored that their tradition of flying an all-Boeing fleet continues with this order.”

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It can seat up to 215 passengers in a single-class configuration and has a range of up to 3,265 nautical miles (6,045 km). The 737-900ER offers 6 percent lower operating costs per trip and 4 percent lower operating costs per seat mile than competing models.

Elyezer Shkedy, Chief Executive Officer, EL AL said: “These additional airplanes will help us expand our fleet to meet the growing demand from our customers. We will use the Boeing 737-900ERs to replace the current fleet of 757-200s and to serve the growing markets in our network. The 737 family of aircraft provide outstanding performance and the lowest in the industry operating costs per seat mile.”

Boeing will deliver EL AL’s new Next-Generation 737-900ERs with the all-new 737 Boeing Sky Interior, the latest in a series of enhancements designed to improve the Next-Generation 737 for both airlines and passengers. EL AL’s 737-900ERs will also incorporate a package of performance improvements that will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 2 percent – making the airplane a full 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered.

EL AL operates 41 routes to 27 countries with its current fleet of 40 Boeing aircraft.