Leslie Massey
Israeli flag carrier El Al has announced that it will launch a new direct service from Tel Aviv to Melbourne, Australia, in 2024. The route, flown with 787s, will be the first non-stop air link between Israel and Australia. The 8,535-mile flight will be one of the longest flights in the world, with a flight time of over 15 hours eastbound and over 17 hours westbound. El Al's plans to fly to Australia come after many failed attempts, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airline | El Al Israel Airlines |
| Route | Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) to Melbourne, Australia (MEL) |
| Launch Date | June 2024 |
| Frequency | Three times per week |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787 Dreamliners |
| Flight Time | 15+ hours eastbound, 17+ hours westbound |
| Distance | 8,535 miles |
| Previous Issues | Airspace restrictions in Oman and Saudi Arabia |
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What You'll Learn
El Al's first non-stop flight to Australia
El Al Israel Airlines is set to launch its first non-stop flights to Australia in 2024. The flights will operate between Tel Aviv 's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) and Melbourne, Australia, with a planned launch date of June 2024. This route, covering a distance of approximately 15-17 hours, will be El Al's first non-stop service to Australia and the first direct air link between Israel and Australia.
The service will be operated by El Al's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering 28 premium economy seats and 222 standard economy seats. The premium economy seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, providing passengers with 38 inches of pitch, 19.4-inch width, 13-inch screens, and personal storage. Meanwhile, the standard economy seats offer 30-31 inches of pitch, 17-inch width, 12-inch screens, and AC and USB charging sockets.
This new route is part of El Al's expansion strategy and has been made possible by the opening of Omani and Saudi Arabian airspace to Israeli airlines. The Victorian Government has also played a crucial role in establishing Melbourne as a regional hub for El Al in Australia and New Zealand. The partnership between El Al and Victoria is expected to strengthen business connections and create approximately 155 new jobs in the aviation and tourism sectors, contributing an estimated $48 million annually to the state's economy.
El Al's CEO, Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, expressed enthusiasm about the new route, stating, "We look forward to launching our first-ever non-stop flights to Melbourne as we position Victoria as Israel's gateway to Australia." This non-stop service will enhance convenience and connectivity for passengers travelling between Israel and Australia, particularly those within the Jewish and Israeli community in Melbourne.
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El Al's Tel Aviv-Melbourne route
El Al Israel Airlines has announced that it will launch a non-stop service between Tel Aviv and Melbourne, Australia, in 2024. The airline originally planned to launch the route in 2020 but was forced to push the date back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new route will be El Al's first non-stop air link to Australia and will use Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The flight from Tel Aviv to Melbourne is expected to take 15 hours, making El Al the only airline to fly this route. The service will initially offer three flights per week, totalling 44,000 seats per year, and will make Melbourne a regional hub for El Al in Australia and New Zealand.
The announcement is significant for Victoria, which signed the letter of intent for the launch of the service. Victoria's Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll, said the new route would add $48 million annually to the state's economy and create 155 new jobs in aviation and tourism. He also noted the importance of strengthening business connections between Melbourne and Tel Aviv, as Israel is a significant trading partner for Victoria.
The Tel Aviv-Melbourne route has been made possible by the opening of Omani and Saudi Arabian airspace to Israeli airlines. Previously, El Al had to use indirect routes via Bangkok, Hong Kong, or Johannesburg, often in partnership with Qantas. The new non-stop route will make it more convenient for travellers between Israel and Australia and will boost El Al's presence in the region.
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El Al's partnership with Qantas
El Al Israel Airlines and Qantas have a codeshare partnership, which allows customers of both airlines to book select flights operated by the other. This partnership was established in 2017 when El Al expanded its reach in Australia. The deal placed Qantas' QF code on El Al-operated flights from Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Johannesburg to Tel Aviv, and El Al's LY code on Qantas-operated services from Hong Kong to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and from Sydney to Bangkok and Johannesburg.
The codeshare agreement also allows customers to earn and redeem frequent flyer points. Qantas Points and Status Credits can be earned on eligible flights with a Qantas or Oneworld Member Airline or Airline Partner flight number on the ticket. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can also access El Al lounges in Tel Aviv and Hong Kong when flying on an El Al flight, connecting to, or from, a Qantas International-operated flight.
The partnership between El Al and Qantas has also opened up the first non-stop air link between Israel and Australia. El Al will operate a new direct service from Tel Aviv to Melbourne, Australia, slated to launch in June 2024, with three services per week. This route will be flown with Boeing 787 Dreamliners and will be El Al's first non-stop operation to 'down under'.
The Tel Aviv-Melbourne route is significant for both airlines and countries, as it strengthens business connections and boosts tourism, trade, and investment. It is expected to add $48 million annually to the state's economy and create 155 new jobs in aviation and tourism.
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El Al's Boeing 787 Dreamliners
El Al Israel Airlines has a fleet of 16 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which includes four 787-8s with an average age of 5.1 years, and 12 longer 787-9s with an average age of 6.5 years. The airline operates an all-Boeing fleet of 51 aircraft, including Boeing 737s and 777s. The modern Dreamliner fleet is used on most of its long-haul international flights.
The 787-9 can accommodate 271 passengers across four cabin classes, with 129 seats in economy, 75 in economy plus, 35 in premium economy, and 32 in business class. The 787-8, on the other hand, has a total of 235 seats across four cabin classes, offering 111 economy seats, 72 economy plus seats, 35 premium economy seats, and 20 business class seats. The 787 Dreamliners offer a more comfortable experience with features such as direct aisle access, retractable tables, and secure storage for personal items. The seats are 20.5 inches wide and can be converted into a 78-inch flat bed.
El Al has ambitious plans for its fleet and aims to expand it in the coming years, including adding more Boeing 787 aircraft. In 2024, the airline signed a deal for a preliminary order for up to nine additional 787-9 Dreamliners, with three expected to be delivered between 2029 and 2030. This expansion reflects El Al's commitment to enhancing its services and providing more flight options for its customers.
The airline's 787 Dreamliners have played a crucial role in expanding its international reach, including the introduction of a new direct service between Tel Aviv and Melbourne, Australia. This route, launched in 2024, is the first non-stop air link between Israel and Australia, strengthening business and tourism connections between the two countries. El Al's use of the 787 Dreamliners on this route ensures a comfortable and efficient travel experience for passengers travelling between these destinations.
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El Al's previous attempts to fly to Australia
El Al Israel Airlines has made several attempts to establish direct flights to Australia in the past. In 2017, the airline expanded its reach in Australia by partnering with Qantas for code-sharing and frequent flyer benefits. This partnership placed the Qantas QF code on El Al-operated flights from various cities to Tel Aviv, and El Al's LY code on Qantas-operated services from Australian cities to other destinations.
In 2019, Yoav Weiss, El Al's regional director at the time, expressed plans to conduct commercial and operational trials between Tel Aviv and Melbourne. This was made possible by the acquisition of the Boeing 787, which could facilitate non-stop flights to Australia. However, these plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a new launch date set for June 2024.
In March 2020, El Al operated its first-ever direct flight to Australia as a commercial flight, offering tickets for sale on its website. The flight sold out within 15 minutes, with 230 citizens booking a one-way trip from Perth to Israel. However, this flight was a one-off rescue flight during the pandemic, and El Al indicated that it would only be conducting a few more such flights until flight bans were lifted.
With the opening of Oman's airspace to Israeli airlines, El Al finally secured the ability to fly towards Australia without restrictions impacting its flight path. As of September 2023, the airline announced its intention to start nonstop scheduled flights between Tel Aviv and Melbourne from 2024, marking a significant moment in the expansion of El Al's global network.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, El Al Israel Airlines has announced plans to fly to Australia.
El Al has plans to commence a direct service between Tel Aviv and Melbourne in June 2024.
The plan is for the flights to operate three times per week, adding 44,000 seats to Melbourne each year.
El Al will use its Boeing 787 Dreamliners for this route.
The 8,535-mile flight will likely be blocked at over 15 hours eastbound and over 17 hours westbound.
