EL AL BEGINS OPERATING ITS FIRST BOEING 777 IN COMMERCIAL SERVICE

El Al Israel Airlines last night began operating its first Boeing 777 in commercial passenger service. The airplane, a 777-200ER (extended range), departed New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport for Tel Aviv on its maiden commercial flight.

The 777-200ER is the second of three being delivered to El Al this year. It joins an El Al fleet that already includes five Boeing Next-Generation 737s, eight 757-200s, 10 747s and six 767-200s. El Al's first 777, which delivered in January, is currently undergoing additional interior work and will be flown to Tel Aviv in March. Its third airplane is scheduled for delivery in April.

El Al is Boeing's second largest commercial airplane customer in the Middle East. The airline plans to operate its 777s on routes to London, New York and Hong Kong.

"We are thrilled to see the technologically advanced and economical 777 become the jewel in the crown of El Al's all-Boeing fleet," said Toby Bright, vice president, Europe/Russia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It will be the perfect solution for El Al's long-range needs."

El Al joins the growing list of airlines that are taking advantage of the 777's superior flexibility in the long-range, medium-capacity market. With passengers demanding more frequent point-to-point flights, airlines have responded by ordering the 777 because of its passenger-pleasing comfort, easily adaptable cabin and lower operating costs. Since its introduction in 1995, the 777 has been the fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane in the world -- currently 563 777s have been ordered by more than 30 customers worldwide. The year 2000 was a record year for 777 orders with 117.

El Al's three new 777-200ERs are the longest-range jetliners in the world, flying up 8,860 statute miles (7,700 nautical miles). The 777-200ER can accommodate from 305 to 328 passengers in a typical three-class configuration -- the same as the initial 777-200 model. The 777-200ER carries an additional 14,200 gallons of fuel to allow for its longer range. This has made the 777-200ER attractive to many airlines. In fact, of the 117 Boeing 777s ordered during 2000, 66 were 777-200ERs.