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Luggage Guidelines

Regulations vary for each airline; if you are flying on an airline other than EL AL or US Airways, the luggage allowance & regulations may be different.  For information regarding NBN’s Aliyah flights, please see: Arranging Your Aliyah Flight
UPDATE: As of November 1st, EL AL has changed their extra luggage policy for EL AL group and individual flights. Please see “Extra Luggage - Revised Policy” to view the new rates.

Note: The luggage allowances outlined below only apply to Olim using their free Aliyah flight awarded by the Jewish Agency.

Luggage Alowance for Aliyah Flights | Olim Traveling to Eilat | Overweight, Extra Luggage and Oversized | Regulations for Carry-On Luggage | Travel & Luggage Insurance?
 | Bicycles | Musical Instruments | Pets

Luggage Allowance for Aliyah Flights

EL AL - NBN Group Flights & Individual Flights Departing from Newark/JFK/Toronto

Checked Luggage: Three (3) bags per person, except for infants confirmed for a bassinet. Parents travelling with an infant under the age of 9 months may request a bassinet for their child (bassinets are not automatically requested for infant tickets), but bassinets are limited and not guaranteed until confirmed by EL AL. Infants confirmed for a bassinet do not get their own seat, and are only allowed one piece of luggage. All other infants and children are assigned a seat and are entitled to the full luggage allowance.  
Dimensions: Each bag should not exceed 62"/158cm (total length + width + height), and must not exceed 50 lbs/23 kg. Luggage for an infant in a bassinet seat should not exceed 45”/115cm and must not exceed 50 lbs/23kg.

Carry-On Luggage: Each person, except for infants assigned to a bassinet, is allowed one carry-on item and a small personal item such as a pocketbook, laptop, etc. When storing space is limited, passengers may be asked to check their carry-on at the gate. 
Dimensions: Each carry-on should not exceed 50" /126 cm (specifically: 22 “L x 18”W x 10”D or 56cm L x 45cm W x 25cm D) and 17 lbs/8 kg.

Strollers & Car Seats: Car seats may be brought for use in the cabin in the case of infants assigned to a seat. Car seats not being used on the flight must be checked. Strollers can be brought to the entrance of the aircraft and gate checked. They will be stored in the hold during the flight and will be returned when exiting the aircraft. Neither will count towards your luggage allowance. Pack’n'Plays or cribs that do not meet the carry-on size and weight regulations must be checked in advance and will count towards your checked luggage allowance.

 

Olim Traveling to Eilat

Olim who are traveling to Eilat as their first destination may be offered a connecting flight to Eilat in lieu of a taxi ride. The final decision of whether you travel by flight or taxi is up to Misrad Haklita. The luggage allowance for the flight to Eilat is 2 bags per person whose total weight cannot exceed 132 lbs/60 kg. Please take this into consideration when packing for your Aliyah flight.


Overweight, Extra Luggage and Oversized (& Related Fees) - Updated

Note: All fees are subject to change.

Overweight: 
Departing from Newark/JFK/Toronto: $70 for each bag between 51-70 lbs (23-32kg). 
Departing from Newark/JFK/Toronto: $155 for each bag over 70 lbs (32kg). 

Extra Luggage
Departing from Newark/JFK/Toronto: $155 for a 4th bag, $235 for a 5th bag  

Oversized: 
Departing from Newark/JFK/Toronto: EL AL reserves the right to refuse or charge a fee for any bag whose total dimensions exceed 62 inches.

What NOT to Pack in Checked Luggage

  • Fragile or perishable items
  • Valuable items (including, but not limited to, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices)
  • Any medication or medical equipment
  • House or car keys
  • Valuable documents (including, but not limited to, business documents and deeds)
  • Aliyah related original documents (including, but not limited to birth/marriage/death/divorce certificates, proof of Judaism, conversion certificate and Apostilles)

All items noted above should be taken in your carry-on luggage, rather than your checked luggage. The airline does not take responsibility for theft or damage of such items. Insurance is recommended.

Packing Your Carry-On

Please make sure to stay within carry-on luggage allowance and guidelines. Refer to your airline’s regulations and the regulations determined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In some cases, TSA has more restrictive rules while in other cases, EL AL & US Airways have more restrictive rules.

Travel & Luggage Insurance

Nefesh B'Nefesh, EL AL and US Airways do NOT purchase travel or luggage insurance for Olim on charter, group or individual flights.  Please make sure to purchase your own travel/luggage insurance, if this is a concern for you.  NBN is not accountable for any lost or damaged luggage on these flights.

Bicycles

EL AL: On flights from North America, bicycles are permitted as one of your pieces of checked luggage, if you observe the following guidelines:

  • If you intend to bring a bicycle, you must inform the NBN Flight Coordinator no later than a week before a group or charter flight, or EL AL’s reservation’s desk if you book an individual flight.
  • A bicycle must have only one seat and pedals – no motorized bikes.
  • The bicycle must be encased.
  • The bicycle must be disassembled: handlebar, one wheel, pedals.
  • The wheels must be deflated.

US Airways: If the total dimensions of the packaged bicycle are less than 62”/157cm, the bicycle will count as one of your checked pieces of luggage.  If the dimensions exceed 62”/157cm, there is an additional charge of $100.

  • One item of bicycle equipment is defined as 1 non-motorized touring or racing bicycle with a single seat.
  • Bicycles should be prepared for transportation by the passenger. Bicycle must be placed in a card board or hard cased bike container.
  • Bicycles not enclosed will still be accepted, however, the handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed, or bicycle handlebars and pedals must be encased in plastic or foam or similar material for transport. A release form will also need to be signed by the passenger.

Musical Instruments

EL AL: Any portable musical instrument not exceeding 53”/135cm (all dimensions combined) and not exceeding 39”/100cm in length is allowed to be checked as baggage and will count as one piece ofluggage.

  • Instruments must be packed in a hard protective case.
  • Passengers must inform the NBN Flight Coordinator no later than a week before a group or charter flight, or EL AL’s reservation’s desk if you book an individual flight, regarding your intention to bring a musical instrument.

US Airways: Musical instruments are permitted as one of your pieces of checked luggage or as carry-on baggage as long as the instrument can be safely stowed and has dimensions no greater than 75”/190 cm (length + width + height).

  • Musical instruments are considered a fragile item. Fragile items will be accepted as checked baggage if they are appropriately packaged in a container/case designed for shipping such items.
  • Fragile items without appropriate packaging will be accepted upon the execution of a release furnished by US Airways relieving US Airways of liability for loss/damage of checked baggage.

For more information, see Shipping Musical Instruments.

Pets

EL AL:Pets in their carriers, either in cabin or cargo, are not counted as part of your luggage allowance, but there is a required pet fee charged by EL AL when you check in for your flight.  Pets are NOT entitled to a luggage allowance. For more information, including fees and allowed kennel dimensions, please see Making Aliyah with Pets.

US Airways: Pets are prohibited on all US Airways flights to Israel.