Forget what you knew: Many airlines changed their baggage policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we've recently seen some become even stricter.
If you see particularly cheap flights, it is very possible that these flights will cost you much more, and sometimes even more than on non-low-cost airlines, so it is always recommended to verify the price of the final ticket, including the required baggage.
In preparation for the travel season, we have conducted a test for you together with the Holiday Finder website, the results of which can help you understand what baggage you deserve on the basic flight ticket and if it is worthwhile.
Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir charge for a small trolley suitcase, and the only thing you can take with you on the plane is a backpack. EL AL does not charge for trolleys or backpacks, but except on flights to the US, you will have to pay extra for checked baggage.
Passengers at Ben Gurion Airport (Archive),
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The low-cost airlines – Wizz Air, Ryanair and EasyJet allow you to take only a small hand bag with you on the plane for the basic ticket price, and an additional charge for baggage in both directions can reach hundreds of shekels, so it is recommended to check in advance what the airline's requirement is for the baggage you need.
Two methods that will help you lower the price of baggage are joining club memberships on airlines that allow it, and trying to order through the companies' customer service centers by phone, abroad, sometimes you can get cheaper offers.
The Israeli-owned Greek airline Blue Bird allows only five kilograms of baggage for free, and it is important to know that this is the airline's definition of the trolley they offer on the basic ticket. An airport supplement can cost you quite a bit.
The departures hall at Ben Gurion Airport (archive), photo: Gideon Markowitz
On British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Iberia, Air France, KLM, Emirates and Etihad, the basic flight ticket from Israel includes only trolley. On some airlines, if you purchase a ticket with a continuation to a distant destination, the ticket may also include a large suitcase.
On all American airlines, however, the basic airline ticket includes both a large suitcase and a trolley, in addition to a backpack.
Oz Gur, CEO of HolidayFinder: "The change that some airlines have recently made regarding baggage requires Israeli consumers to pay attention to what is included in the flight ticket and what needs to be added to the payment. That's why on our website we built the possibility of seeing the information in the highest transparency in order to avoid surprises."
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