Article from BTNews 2 DECEMBER 2019
Tel Aviv – Melbourne non-stop?
The world of super long-haul has brought a new contender to the stage with Israel’s El Al debating non-stop service between Tel Aviv and Melbourne using the B787-9 Dreamliner with a projected flight time of 16hr 45min.
It follows Qantas non-stop test flights between New York and Sydney and London and Sydney over the past few weeks and the launch by Singapore Airlines in October 2018 of the world’s longest regular passenger service between Singapore and New York Newark.
El Al said last week it planned to begin a non-stop Melbourne service in the second quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals. El Al will use a Boeing B787-9 for the route, which features 282 seats – 32 in Business Class, 28 in Premium Economy and 222 in Economy.
There was no further direct comment from the airline, but Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Mark Sofer, wrote on Twitter: “Direct flights are game changers in bilateral relationships. They … bring people closer to one another. Here’s hoping the project ‘takes off’.”
In addition to Melbourne, El Al is planning new routes in 2020 to Chicago after a 13yr gap, plus Tokyo, Dublin and Dusseldorf.
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