EL AL Israel Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9.

“The arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a day of pride and joy to all of us at EL AL,” said David Maimon, chief executive officer of EL AL. “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.”

The aircraft is on lease to the airline from Air Lease Corporation.

“We are honoured to deliver the first 787 Dreamliner to our great partners at EL AL,” said Ray Conner, vice chairman of The Boeing Company. “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.”

EL AL has been an all-Boeing airline since 1961 and already operates a fleet of 737s, 747s, 767s and 777s.