Inside El Al's 1st retrofitted — and massively upgraded — Boeing 777
Flying with El Al used to be a blast from the past.
When competitor airlines operating long-haul flights to Tel Aviv started upgrading their planes with lie-flat seats and premium economy cabins, El Al didn't initially hop on that bandwagon.
That changed, however, when the flag carrier of Israel took delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. All those planes now feature a massively improved business-class product, along with the airline's first premium economy cabin. The Dreamliners also brought some other exciting upgrades to the onboard experience, including Viasat Wi-Fi, upgraded on-demand entertainment and more.
With 16 Boeing 787s now in the fleet, the Dreamliner is El Al's long-haul backbone, replacing the iconic Boeing 747, which the airline retired in 2019.
That said, the Israeli carrier still operates four of its six Boeing 777-200s. These jets are roughly 19 years old on average, and while they were parked temporarily during the pandemic, they're mostly now back in the sky.
While the 777s might still look the same on the outside, there's some great news for premium flyers: The insides are getting a nose-to-tail overhaul, set to be completed within the next two years.
The first jet to feature the new cabins — registered 4X-ECE and named "Sderot" — just started flying again last month. I had the opportunity to tour the plane and check out all the upgrades during my most recent trip to Tel Aviv.
Here's what you can expect once on board.
Private business-class pods
Nowhere are the upgrades more apparent than in the business-class cabin.
Before the retrofits, the 777 featured a five-row biz cabin in a 2-3-2 configuration — hardly competitive in this day and age.
And now, after the retrofit, the 777 sports El Al's best business-class product yet — even better than the one on the Dreamliner.
The 28 Safran Optima Elite seats are arranged in an industry-standard 1-2-1 layout spread across seven rows.
Pods alternate between being angled forward or toward the aisle; the former, which can be found in odd-numbered rows, offers significantly more privacy than the aisle-facing seats.
The 21-inch-wide seats are largely reminiscent of what you'd find on the El Al Dreamliner. I love the faux wood finishes and the brown hues throughout the cabin.
The attention to detail is also impressive. The patterned bulkhead wall with an "El Al Business" banner should really help set the mood for your flight.
In terms of upgrades, the new 777 business class offers considerably more privacy. Odd-numbered window seats sport small sliding dividers that you can extend to partition yourself from the aisle.
Meanwhile, the two "honeymoon" pods in the odd-numbered center seats now feature a large privacy divider that can raise just above eye level. This should help give you a sense of personal space if you're seated next to a stranger.
If you're seated in an even-numbered center seat that faces the aisle, you can use a smaller privacy divider between seats to further partition yourself off from your neighbor.
Other improvements over the Dreamliner product include a larger privacy storage closet at the side of each seat and a new seat control panel at shoulder level emblazoned with a backlit El Al logo.
Plus, the footwells are larger for more comfort while sleeping, and the aisle armrests can be lowered to add additional surface area once in bed mode.
Every seat converts into a 75-inch-long bed.
Even the universal power outlet and USB-A port have been relocated to a small shelf underneath the storage closet, which should be easily accessible (and will still fit oversized power bricks since the charging station is arranged horizontally.)
The 19-inch-by-12-inch faux wood tray tables are still large enough for most laptops, and they also feature a tablet stand to help you enjoy your own content.
In terms of connectivity, you'll find 18-inch touchscreen high-definition TVs at each seat, as well as a 3 1/2-inch remote and Viasat Wi-Fi on these jets.
All in all, the new business class is a massive improvement compared to the one it replaces. It's even a slight upgrade over the product you'd find on the Dreamliner. Plus, since the 777 cabin is wider than the 787, the pods feel even a bit more spacious than the Dreamliner product.
Just note that some cabin elements — such as the overhead bins, fuselage walls and lavatories — weren't upgraded as part of the retrofit process.
When choosing where to sit, I'd definitely consider choosing the bulkhead windows as a solo flyer. They feature larger footwells as well as three dedicated windows each. Noise and light from the galley shouldn't be too bothersome since the galley is set pretty far back.
Meanwhile, I'd do what I can to avoid Row 7, especially in the window. Those seats are quite close to the back galley and only feature one misaligned window.
While the overhauled product is undoubtedly a marked improvement, it does come at the expense of first class. Even though El Al's first class was hardly revolutionary or award-winning, it was a unique and vintage product that some flyers grew to enjoy over the years.
Spacious premium recliners
Though El Al dropped first class as part of the retrofits, it did install an all-new cabin on the 777: premium economy.
Dubbed "El Al Premium," this four-row cabin sports 32 recliners in a 2-4-2 arrangement.
Not only is the cabin more private than the economy cabin, but it also features a much better seat that's largely reminiscent of what you'd find in domestic first class in the U.S.
The 20-inch-wide seats offer a generous recline, a very well-padded leg rest and a retractable footrest that should make it easier to doze off during the flight. (You'll also enjoy a small pillow and Hollandia-branded blanket during the flight to help you get comfortable.)
The recliners offer 38 inches of pitch — roughly industry-standard for premium economy. The bi-fold tray tables pop out of the armrest and measure 18 inches wide and 10 inches long.
Note that the bulkhead doesn't feature a footrest, and the 11-inch high-definition TVs are stored in the armrest between each seat.
I do love how El Al installed three separate storage pockets at the back of each premium economy recliner. This should definitely help give you space for all of your belongings — just don't forget to take everything with you once you land.
Each premium economy seat features a universal power outlet and two USB-A ports built into the console between each seat. This is also where you'll find the audio jack to connect to the in-seat entertainment.
Relative to the premium economy offerings on American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — El Al's three big U.S. competitors — I'd say that the Israeli carrier offers the best and most spacious hard product.
I haven't tried the food, drinks or amenities yet. However, the airline just debuted a new culinary program headed by famed Israeli chef Assaf Granit that's already receiving positive reviews from flyers.
If the airline can keep up this level of service, it should have no problem convincing travelers to splurge for these seats.
A densified economy cabin
If there's one downside to the retrofits, it's the densified economy cabin.
The previous 777 layout featured economy seats in a 3-3-3 arrangement. Over the years, most carriers operating the 777 realized they could squeeze in a fourth economy seat in the center section. That's exactly what El Al did during these refurbishments.
Most economy rows now feature seats in a 3-4-3 arrangement with seats that are 18 1/2 inches wide. (Due to the curvature of the fuselage, rows 44 through 47 are in a 2-4-2 layout that might be preferable for couples.)
The seats have winged headrests that can be used to cradle your neck during the flight, and the headrest can also be raised or lowered depending on how tall you are.
Tray tables fold down from the seat in front of you, and they measure 16 inches wide and 8 1/2 inches long.
Aside from the additional seat in each row, the economy product is much improved compared to its predecessor. The seats now feature 10-inch TVs with on-demand entertainment and USB-A charging ports for your devices.
If faced with the choice, I'd splurge for a seat assignment in Row 35, which is the exit row in the rear economy cabin. These seats have nearly unlimited legroom (but beware that the proximity to the midcabin bank of lavatories could be bothersome).
Otherwise, El Al offers so-called space seats with 2 to 3 more inches of pitch than the standard seats. You'll find these seats in select positions in rows 22 through 27 and rows 35 through 39. You'll need to pay extra to sit here, though.
Where the crew sleeps
Even though the Boeing 777 has one passenger deck, there's actually a hidden staircase located between the two economy cabins.
This staircase leads to an off-limits upper level designed as the crew rest — where the flight attendants rest during breaks between the meal service.
While you're cramped below in economy, seven flight attendants can occupy these bunks above your head. They feature thick curtains for additional privacy, and the crew can relax with business-class bedding, too.
Even though the crew gets the opportunity to rest during long-haul flights, they must still be ready at a moment's notice in case of an emergency. That's why you'll find a bunch of emergency equipment, including multiple fire extinguishers, phones and flashlights, up here.
Bottom line
Within the next two years, every twin-aisle El Al jet will feature top-notch premium products.
In business class on the Boeing 777, the airline opted for a stellar product that will impress those who are used to flying American, Delta or United between the U.S. and Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, the premium economy cabin may actually be the best in the U.S.-to-Israel market.
Finally, the new economy cabin isn't necessarily more comfortable. Still, it boasts some noteworthy amenities, such as high-tech TVs and winged headrests, that should make the overall experience a bit more comfortable than before.
Once the Boeing 777 upgrades are complete, El Al will officially enter a new era, one that's defined by competitive onboard products that people actually want to fly.
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