El Al Israel Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first of 16 on order.

The 787-9, leased through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation, touched down in Tel Aviv following a non-stop flight of 6,746 miles from Paine Field, adjacent to Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington.

El Al chief executive officer, David Maimon says: “It is the highlight in the ongoing renewal of the EL AL fleet, which started a year and a half ago when we decided to order 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. We are happy to embark on a new journey with our first Dreamliner.”

Boeing Company vice chairman, Ray Conner says: “The 787 Dreamliner will play a key role in the renewal of EL AL’s fleet and growing its network worldwide as it ushers in a new era for the airline, its employees and its customers around the globe.”

Boeing says the 787 uses 20 – 25 per cent less fuel and produces 20 – 25 per cent fewer emissions than the aircraft it replaces.