Update, 6/4: El Al is now allowing the use of self check-in/bag drop lines at Ben Gurion. DDF member tavster went to check them out and reports that they have their own pre-checkin security line, which is as fast, or even faster than the airline’s business class line!
If you try it out, let us know how it goes!
Update, 3/28: As of today, business and first class passengers flying internationally from TLV’s Terminal 3 can use the VIP pre-checkin security line located on the ground level near door 1, without any additional charge.
Since COVID, expedited pre-checkin security lines have only been available to El Al business class passengers or for passengers paying for VIP service. El Al business class passengers can continue using the premium line found near El Al checkin.
If you use the new VIP line or the bag drop, share your experience in the comments!
HT: chff
Originally posted on 3/26:
Flying out of Natbag, or Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, is always a chore.
After returning your rental car (and probably getting dinged for scratches that you hope your credit card insurance will cover) there are seemingly endless lengthy lines to wait in. Those include security before checkin, to checkin, to dropping off oversized bags (which include regular duffel bags that aren’t oversized in any other airport in the world), to customs (heaven help if you have a stroller and can’t use the automated gates or if you lost your entry visa slips), to security, and more. And don’t forget multiple VAT lines if you bought anything that comes with a tax refund. It all takes a good amount of time and patience.
But with Natbag expecting record passenger numbers over the coming days before Pesach, a new self checkin option with bag drop is being introduced if you’re flying on Air Canada, Austrian, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Lufthansa, Swiss, or United. You’ll find the new self checkin kiosks on the 3rd floor of Terminal 3 at area B. You’ll still have to wait in some lines, but the airport says it will save passengers significant time over the regular lines.
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Have you tried out the bag drop service yet at Natbag? If you use it over the coming days, share your experience in the comments!
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49 Comments On "[Report From El Al’s New Bag Drop Line] Bag Drop Arrives At Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, Have You Tried It Yet?"
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Is virgin same line as delta if booked with Delta?
No, because it’s virgin
Hearing the whole country may go on strike tomorrow including the airport!!! Just in time for Y”T.
https://twitter.com/AmichaiStein1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Not Elal?
all outgoing flights stopped
Why don’t the other airlines have it as well?
Does this help in anyway with the hour plus security line?
Hopefully we’ll have some people report that info over the coming days.
Finaly way over due
also el-al allows Israeli citizens to drop off in the 24 hours in the airport or in Tel Aviv
but where is el-al self check-in??
Anyone remember back in the 80s when you could drop your luggage the day before travel somewhere (where?) in Yerushalayim? Could be long lines there too, esp when all the bochrim and sem girls were leaving. But at least you weren’t worried about missing your flight. When did that end?
Rechov Hillel
It was very convenient
in Givat shaul i beleive it was
Bottom entrance to Center-1. Wow, it was a great relief to know you were essentially done. Also had a similar service in Brooklyn for a while!
Yes that’s right – in a mall. When did the program run? And nothing like suddenly remembering as you left, that something super important was in your now-checked suitcase lol.
In Brooklyn it was on 13th Avenue near 59th Street
Assuming bibi doesn’t destroy the country first.
Destroy?
How?
Jewish infighting always ends well for the Jew haters.
Someone who reads the leftist propaganda without looking a bit deeper, unfortunately. As far as I am aware, There are no English Israeli publications that give the alternative viewpoint.
Jp?
Big question is can you do the bag drop with a duffle bag!?
I’d guess they still make you go to the duffel line after pre-security and checkin.
Natbag seems to love their war on duffel bags.
I was able to check in 2 duffel bags with EY last week
Had the same 2 weeks ago. They allowed it by the regular bag drop.
In the past they always sent me to oversized bag drop, With the people flying with filing cabinets and odd shaped boxes.
The first time they let me
Interesting somewhat unrelated note. Today I flew from MIA-TLV on Turkish via IST. Turkish Airlines allowed me to check 2 bags plus my golf clubs that were in a special case (I live in Israel now and hate renting clubs in קסריה). All 3 bags were free. They said if I never checked sports equipment with them before the first time it’s complimentary. And yes my flight landed at 9am Israel time but the airport might be closed now not sure.
iv had plenty of times that they took my duffel bags, i guess it has to do with the agents mood,
In general at natbag, there is a separate security line for people flying without bags, and that are already checked in. Seems likely that people who use this bag drop will then go to the shorter, separate security line. (I’ve been on that line many times. Most of the time it’s a short wait, as short as a minute or two, 10-15 minutes on average, but as much as 30 minutes+ at the worst of times. Hopefully the airport keeps at least 2 agents there at all times if they are sending more people to that line.)
What war on duffel bags? We’ve flown countless times from natbag, always with duffels, and have never had a problem putting them through at the check in counter.
only biometric passports eligible
not sure how well this works with baby
What’s the difference between N. Korea and the Histradrut?
Ans: Nothing
But why does it always seem that the leftists always win?
I’m just praying Natbag is busier with inbound flights than outbound ones shortly. It’s high time the Rebbe’s prophecies and predictions came true. “Just one suitcase” and we’ll all be free!
there is a new business/first security line from today, for all foreign airlines, but not ElAl
Does this include Virgin Atlantic? And what about premium economy
Yes.
No.
Feels like I’m the only one left that wants Mashiach now.
I don’t understand this post….Non El-Al had business class check in lines during COVID as well. Flew Delta / United / American — all with business class lines
This is for the security line before checkin.
How do you pay for vip?
It’s a service – AeroVIP
It’s ridiculous that ELAL “Premium economy” customers who pay thousands of dollars for aflight from USA to Israel are.being forced at Ben Gurion airport to wait in the main hall for 1 to 2 hours for security and to check in their luggage. Since we are paying thousands of dollars for a premium economy seat, the least ELAL can do is to either have a separate line for premium economy or allow the premium economy customers to use the business class line for security and luggage checkin. There were many, many premium economy ELAL customers that were extremely disappointed and angry that ELAL did not allow them to go through security and luggage.check-in at the business.class counters after having paid thousands of dollars for a premium economy seat.
Flew this week monday tlv-ewr with united didn’t see any bag drop,
side note they checked in my duffel bags, maybe because I checked in by business class i did see a rep from economy class not accepting duffel bags, maybe it just depends on the rep
Doesn’t really help much. No place to drop luggage but the counter so you still have to wait in the security line and drop off luggage at counter. Also if you have status the kiosks don’t give you the orange premier tag so if you think it actually helps getting your luggage sooner the kiosks don’t help.
Yes we did and was actually great they escorted us thru to another line helped at the kiosk also overall great saved a lot of time since there was a large line
Still not clear to me. Flying United business this week TLV to SFO with bags. What is easiest/quickest check in process?
Thank you!
There is a dedicated security lane on ground floor (arrival level)
Has anyone used the security/checkin on the ground floor for United in May or June? What is the process?
Is the business line open x tlv?
@Dan how can I find out?
Was definitely closed in February when I was there….