Flight & Aliyah Process Information
The Aliyah Flight benefit includes a one-way coach class fare on a Nefesh B’Nefesh scheduled flight
For additional flight information, please see Aliyah Flight Information.
Cluster Flights
Departure Cities: New York, Newark, Miami, Los Angeles.
• 5-40 Olim on the flight (commercial EL AL flight).
• Olim are greeted by Nefesh B’Nefesh staff or volunteers upon departure and arrival of the flight.
• During the months of July and August, Nefesh B’Nefesh staff will be present at select departures from Newark and JFK to provide a celebratory send-off for Olim.
Flexible Flights
Departure Cities: Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Fort Lauderdale
Flexible Flight requests are processed as needed when there is no flight available on our schedule during the preferred time you would like to fly. When there is a flight available on the Nefesh B’Nefesh schedule 7 days before or after your requested flight, we will be unable to provide a flexible flight option.
Charter Flight
Departure City: JFK
The entire plane is filled with Olim, Nefesh B’Nefesh Staff, and our Aliyah partners. Depending on health and safety guidelines, ceremonies may take place at both JFK and Ben Gurion.
The Jewish Agency/Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah flight benefit includes a one-way Economy ticket from the Nefesh B’Nefesh flight schedule.
Should you wish to upgrade to Economy Plus/El Al Space Seat (extra legroom), once your ticket is issued, we will send you instructions on how to upgrade online through the EL AL website. The cost is usually between $100- $175 depending on the seat.
Should you wish to upgrade to Premium or Business Class after requesting your flight through the Flight Request webform, please contact [email protected] and let us know that you’d like to upgrade. We will check the applicable fare and provide you with the details.
To proceed with the upgrade, you will need to pay Nefesh B’Nefesh the fare difference to confirm the booking. Please note that all upgrades must be arranged through the Nefesh B’Nefesh Flight Department. Upgrades are subject to availability at the time we contact you with the fare quote.
Olim are entitled to:
- 2 x 50lbs pieces of checked bags up to 62” (H+L+W)
- 1 carry-on
- 1 personal item
Olim are not exempt from overweight or oversized baggage fees. It is more economical to pay for a 3rd piece of luggage than to pay for overweight luggage.
In addition to the 2 pieces of luggage included in the Aliyah benefit, Olim are entitled to bring up to 3 additional bags per passenger. Olim can pre-purchase a 3rd suitcase for $100 up to 4 hours before departure. Fees for the 4th and 5th suitcases are $185 each. If you pay for additional luggage at the airport, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th suitcases cost $200 each and can be purchased at check-in. Each passenger is limited to a maximum of five 5 suitcases.
Olim who purchase their own tickets are subject to the standard luggage allowance associated with the ticket they purchased.
- In the event that you need to cancel your Aliyah flight, email [email protected] immediately with the words “Cancelling my Aliyah Flight” in the subject line.
- If you are canceling on the day of your flight, contact the FLIGHT EMERGENCY HOTLINE 1 862-339-0166. If there is no answer, try again a few minutes later.
- Cancellation or flight changes may incur a penalty up to the full cost of your ticket.
- Aliyah Ticket Processing Fees are not refundable.
- Medical related cancellation fees may be waived with documentation from a hospital or urgent care facility.
- All Olim, regardless of age, are entitled to their own seat and full baggage allowance
- Generally, we do not recommend seating an infant in a bassinet, as the baggage allowance is limited to one bag, and the family will not be seated together
- Each infant/toddler may have one stroller and one car-seat checked in at either the gate or check-in (per airline policy)
- Pack-n-plays will count as a checked piece of luggage
- The only animals that may be transported via commercial airline are dogs, cats, and birds
- Dogs and cats that weigh over 15lbs are required to fly in the pet cargo hold. Currently, only EL AL and Air Canada have an operating pet hold
- Please click HERE for more information
- For a variety of reasons, you may prefer to buy your own ticket. There is an appeal process for Aliyah flight reimbursement; however, Olim should not purchase their ticket with the expectation of reimbursement
- Tickets that are paid for with points or miles are not eligible for reimbursement
- Olim who arrive at a time when Misrad HaKlita is closed are not eligible to request a reimbursement. This is usually on Friday afternoons, Shabbat, and on holidays.
- The maximum reimbursement will not exceed $450/per ticket
- Olim flying on a personally bought ticket are limited to the amount of luggage associated with their reservation. Luggage is not eligible for reimbursement
- Reimbursement will only be available for Olim who are making Aliyah to Israel from abroad after they receive Aliyah approval from the Jewish Agency. If you choose to arrive in Israel on any visa other than an Aliyah visa and complete your Aliyah from within Israel, you will not be eligible for a flight reimbursement
- It is recommended that you take a photo of both the inside and outside of your bags
- In the case that your luggage does not arrive with you in Tel Aviv or is damaged, you must complete a report before leaving Ben Gurion Airport
Your best resource for what is allowed to be checked or packed in your carry-on luggage
What Can I Bring? | Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov)
- Your airline has information on its website to specifically address musical instruments, bikes, and odd-shaped luggage
- Expect these items to be counted as a checked piece of luggage when weighing up to 50lbs and measuring no more than 62” (H+L+W)
- Points and miles may not be applied towards an Aliyah reservation to receive upgrades or additional luggage
- We can add your Matmid number to your reservation
Frequently Asked Questions
On specially appointed Cluster flights, Nefesh B’Nefesh Staff are present at both arrival and departure airports.
Yes. During regular conditions, the airlines request that you be at the airport 4 hours before departure. With the recent added volume of travelers, it is even more important that you provide plenty of time to check in and get situated. We have had plenty of Olim not heed this advice, only to miss their flight. This could require you to find accommodations until a new flight can be arranged.
You are entitled to two 50 lb suitcases, a carry-on, and a personal item. Additional Information can be found here: Aliyah Flight Luggage Guidelines
When arriving during working hours of Misrad HaKlita (Sunday through Friday morning only, and not on holidays), a representative of Misrad HaKlita may potentially greet you; however, if not, do not leave the airport without going to their office, where they will be expecting you. You will be escorted through the Aliyah process until you depart from Ben Gurion
All Misrad HaKlita representatives speak sufficient English to assist you with your processing. You don’t have mountains of paperwork to complete; you sign this paper, initial that paper, and you will be required to show many of your original documents. Rest assured, you’ll leave the airport with everything you are supposed to have. Speak with your Aliyah Advisor directly about specific processing based on your Jewish Agency Aliyah Status.
At your departure airport, just as if you were flying with lots of luggage on a vacation, you are responsible for bringing your luggage to check in. Plan to pay for a cart or a porter as needed. Upon arrival at Ben Gurion, there are carts available. You may need to use a credit card to take a cart, but you’ll receive a refund when you return it. You may engage the services of porters at the airport – expect to pay for this, and regardless of what the private company tells you, this is not an expense that you’ll be reimbursed for.
While your family/friends can greet you at the Arrivals Terminal, entry beyond the Arrivals Terminal (where processing is taking place) is strictly controlled, and guests/family/friends are not permitted to enter.
Yes, you should notify the representative greeting you to ensure that their passport is processed at Border Control; if they are on the plane with you, they can join you at processing. This may be limited to one person in the case that a non-Oleh family is joining an Oleh on the flight.
NBN Contact
Aliyah Questions: Contact your Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Advisor
Flight Questions: [email protected]
Emergency Hotline: For connecting flights, or “day of flight” emergencies: (862) 339-0166
Nefesh B’Nefesh Flights Department: Direct Line: (201) 366-1111
Post Aliyah Support: *3680 [email protected]
* Last updated on May 7, 2026 *
