EL AL Israel Airlines has been expanding its US route network, recently adding a sixth destination with potential plans for a seventh. Next year, the carrier also plans to increase frequencies.
All flights to the US are currently operated by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with as many as 70 million available seat miles (ASMs) offered on its most popular route. The airline hopes to increase its passenger numbers by more than seven million over the next five years.
Six US destinations
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, EL AL serves Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Miami International Airport (MIA) from its hub at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv.
On Wednesday, the Israeli carrier launched new service connecting TLV to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), according to Travel Weekly. The service is temporary with six roundtrip flights offered during the Jewish High Holiday season. The first flight occurred just ahead of the Jewish new year, known as Rosh Hashana, started Friday evening.
EL AL’s 787-8 is used on flights to FLL, in addition to BOS, EWR, JFK, and MIA, whereas the larger 787-9 variant flies to the same routes except FLL. Instead, the airline deploys the aircraft type to LAX. Both plane types are equipped with business, premium economy and economy cabins with the 787-8 seating 238 passengers and the 787-9 being able to accommodate 271.
Travel Weekly reported that FLL departures will be on Mondays and Saturdays with returns on Monday and Frlday. While the service is temporary, it pairs up well with EL AL’s existing service to MIA which operates six times weekly. FLL will see the least amount of ASM’s offered at nearly 5 million, according to Cirium. Since the market has the least frequencies and is scheduled with only one plane type, its ASM’s are much lower than nearby Miami with almost 8 million on the 787-8 and over 26 million on the 787-9.
Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today.
Busiest US routes
JFK and EWR are undoubtedly the carrier’s busiest routes. According to Cirium data, ASMs between TLV and EWR on the 787-8 are around 5.5 million and 55 million on the 787-9. Over 72 million ASMs are offered on the 787-9 from JFK to TLV which is EL AL’s largest US route in terms of aircraft-carrying capacity.
FLL will not be out of the airline’s sight completely, however. Next year, the carrier will return to the airport increasing the frequency to two flights per week, beginning April 15th, according to Travel Weekly. Adding to that, EL AL has plans to expand even further in the US proposing a potential seventh destination to serve.
Seventh US destination?
The airline has outlined plans serve Seattle in addition to two other destinations outside of the US: Manila and Melbourne. Should EL AL move forward with flights to the Emerald City, the route will reportedly mark the first nonstop flight to connect Seattle with Israel. Data shows that more than 36,000 people traveled between Tel Aviv and Seattle in 2019. San Francisco was also shown a large one-stop market.
EL AL’s fleet reportedly comprises 47 all-Boeing aircraft and has flown 5.2 million passengers since August 2022. While network expansions are in progress, the carrier also plans to grow its fleet, expecting receive six more 787s and at least four more 737s by 2028.
Source : Simple Flying