Arkia Israeli Airlines baggage allowances depend on your ticket type, destination, and aircraft. Basic or Light fares include only cabin luggage: one personal item and one carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg or 8 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Classic fares include one checked bag weighing up to 20 kg on domestic flights or 20 kg to 23 kg on international routes.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
Arkia includes carry-on luggage on standard bookings, while checked baggage depends entirely on your fare bundle or tour operator package. Light tickets require an extra fee for hold luggage, and no single checked piece may exceed 32 kg.
What can change: Allowances vary based on whether you book a scheduled ticket directly with Arkia or purchase an inclusive package through a third-party tour operator.
Baggage Size Visual
Use Arkia's stated order of dimensions: height by width by depth. Measurements include exterior wheels, handles, and packed exterior pockets.
Standard Carry-On Bag
Published limit: 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg or 8 kg
Standard cabin bag across scheduled regional and domestic flights
Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.
Official Source Verification
Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.
Arkia Hand Baggage and Cabin Rules
Every passenger on Arkia is entitled to bring hand luggage into the cabin, provided it complies with size and weight boundaries. The airline enforces these rules to keep overhead lockers organized and prevent departure delays.
Standard Carry-On Dimensions
Your primary carry-on bag must fit completely into the overhead storage bin.
- Maximum Dimensions: 55 cm high, 40 cm wide, and 20 cm deep. These measurements include wheels, handles, and outside compartments.
- Weight Limit: 7 kg to 8 kg, depending on your route and ticket tier.
- Storage Location: Must be stowed in the overhead luggage bins above your seat.
If your cabin trolley is too large or too heavy, gate agents will check it into the cargo hold. Travelers who frequently fly with different regional operators should check general international carry-on size rules to ensure luggage passes inspection across multiple airlines.
Personal Item Guidelines
In addition to your main cabin bag, Arkia permits one small personal item free of charge.
- Accepted Items: A small purse, laptop computer bag, slim backpack, or infant diaper bag.
- Storage Requirement: The item must fit beneath the passenger seat directly in front of you.
- Seating Exceptions: Passengers seated in emergency exit rows or behind aircraft bulkhead dividers cannot place items on the floor during taxi, takeoff, or landing. All items must go into the overhead lockers.
| Hand Baggage Item | Allowed Quantity | Dimensions | Maximum Weight | Stowage Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item | 1 piece | Under-seat profile | Must fit under seat | Under forward seat |
| Carry-On Bag | 1 piece | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 7 kg to 8 kg | Overhead locker |
Arkia Checked Baggage Allowances
Arkia categorizes checked baggage allowances by route and fare family. Always verify the exact allowance stated on your electronic booking receipt before heading to the airport.
Domestic Flights Within Israel
Arkia connects Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport, TLV) with southern Israel through Ramon Airport (ETM) in Eilat.
- Basic Fares: Carry-on luggage only. Checked bags are excluded and require an additional payment.
- Classic Fares: Include one checked bag weighing up to 20 kg.
- Size Maximum: Total linear dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 158 cm.
International and Regional Routes
For scheduled flights to European and Mediterranean destinations such as Greece, Cyprus, Georgia, and Eastern Europe, Arkia uses branded ticket tiers:
- Basic / Light:
- Checked bags: 0 pieces included.
- Hand luggage: 1 personal item + 1 standard carry-on bag (up to 7–8 kg).
- Checked bags must be added as a paid service online or at check-in.
- Classic / Regular:
- Checked bags: 1 piece weighing up to 20 kg or 23 kg (Official verification required based on route).
- Linear size limit: 158 cm.
- Flex / Premium:
- Checked bags: Up to 2 pieces, depending on route, usually capped at 23 kg each.
Holiday Charters and Tour Packages
Many travelers fly on Arkia via chartered flights organized by holiday travel agencies. If you booked your flight as part of a package deal:
- Your baggage limits are determined by the tour operator's voucher.
- Most package tickets specify a flat 20 kg checked bag limit per passenger.
- Baggage pooling between passengers traveling on the exact same booking reference is usually permitted at the desk, but no single suitcase can weigh more than 32 kg.
| Fare / Route Type | Checked Bags Included | Weight Limit per Bag | Maximum Linear Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Basic | 0 pieces | Extra fee applies | 158 cm |
| Domestic Classic | 1 piece | 20 kg | 158 cm |
| International Basic | 0 pieces | Extra fee applies | 158 cm |
| International Classic | 1 piece | 20 kg or 23 kg | 158 cm |
| International Flex | 1 to 2 pieces | 23 kg each | 158 cm |
Excess, Overweight, and Airport Fees
Exceeding the size or weight restrictions on your Arkia booking leads to additional charges at the airport.
Adding Checked Luggage Online vs. at the Airport
Adding a checked bag in advance is always cheaper than waiting until you arrive at the terminal:
- Online via Manage Booking: Lower flat rates when purchased before check-in opens.
- Airport Counter: Substantially higher processing fees when purchasing luggage at Ben Gurion, Ramon, or foreign airport counters.
- Gate Check Fee: Hand luggage that exceeds the 55 x 40 x 20 cm allowance or weight caps at the boarding gate is checked into the aircraft hold for an airport gate surcharge (Official verification required).
Overweight Surcharges and the 32 kg Limit
If a checked bag exceeds the standard weight limit:
- A heavy luggage surcharge is applied per bag or per excess kilogram.
- Absolute Limit: Under international airport safety regulations, no single piece of luggage can weigh more than 32 kg. Suitcases exceeding 32 kg will not be accepted at passenger check-in desks and must be shipped as cargo.
Aircraft Cabin Space Differences
Arkia operates two distinct aircraft families that feature different storage spaces for cabin bags.
Embraer E-Jets (E190 / E195)
Arkia uses regional Embraer jets for domestic flights to Eilat and several short Mediterranean routes:
- Overhead Bin Size: The overhead compartments on regional jets are more compact than those on larger commercial airliners.
- Tarmac / Gate Handling: On busy flights, gate agents may tag carry-on bags at the boarding gate and place them into the hold. You will pick up your bag either at the aircraft door or in the baggage claim hall upon arrival.
Airbus A321neo / A321LR
Arkia uses larger Airbus A321 aircraft on longer international flights to European cities:
- Overhead Storage: These aircraft feature deeper bins that accommodate standard rolling bags easily.
- Gate Checks: Baggage rules are still strictly monitored at boarding gates to ensure overhead bins do not get overcrowded.
Traveling with Children and Infants
Arkia provides dedicated baggage accommodations for families traveling with young children:
- Lap Infants (under 2 years old): Infants without their own seat do not get an independent checked bag allowance on Basic fares.
- Free Equipment: Parents can check in one fully collapsible stroller, buggy, or car seat free of charge.
- Gate Delivery: You can use your collapsible stroller throughout the airport terminal up to the boarding gate. Ground crews will place it in the hold and return it when you exit the aircraft, depending on local airport rules.
Sports Gear and Musical Instruments
Special luggage items follow specific transport rules and must often be requested in advance.
Sports Equipment
- Bicycles: Must be packed in a cardboard box or travel case. Turn the handlebars sideways, detach pedals, and deflate tires completely.
- Diving Gear: Scuba cylinders must be completely empty with valves open. Underwater lamps must have their bulbs or batteries disconnected to eliminate fire risks.
- Surfboards: Allowed depending on aircraft hold dimensions. Flat equipment fees apply.
Musical Instruments
- Small Instruments: Instruments like violins or flutes can be taken as cabin baggage in place of your carry-on bag, provided they fit in the overhead lockers.
- Large Instruments: Instruments that exceed cabin measurements, such as cellos, require booking an additional passenger seat or safe packing for transport in the cargo hold.
Comparing Regional Mediterranean Airlines
If you are planning trips around Israel, Cyprus, and the Greek islands, you may be considering multiple local carriers. Here is how Arkia compares to regional peers:
- Compare Arkia's allowances with the Bluebird Airways baggage policy for direct flights to Greece and Europe.
- Review the TUS Airways baggage policy when booking regional flights across Cyprus and Israel.
| Airline | Carry-On Weight Cap | Carry-On Dimensions | Free Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkia | 7 kg to 8 kg | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Yes (Under-seat) |
| Bluebird Airways | 8 kg | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Fare dependent |
| TUS Airways | 8 kg | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Yes (Under-seat) |
Arkia Departure Baggage Checklist
Follow these steps before heading to Ben Gurion or Ramon Airport to avoid unexpected bag fees.
- Check your booking confirmation. Identify whether your ticket is Basic (hand luggage only) or Classic (checked bag included).
- Weigh your hand luggage. Make sure your rolling bag stays under the 7 kg or 8 kg limit before leaving home.
- Measure exterior bag dimensions. Confirm your trolley does not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm including wheels and handles.
- Pre-book hold luggage online. Purchase any extra baggage through Arkia's website in advance to avoid higher airport counter fees.
- Keep batteries in your cabin bag. Pack lithium power banks, loose batteries, and electronics in your personal item, as they are banned from checked luggage.
- Prepare for regional jet gate checks. If flying on an Embraer jet to Eilat, keep essential medications and valuables in your under-seat personal item in case your trolley is tagged at the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arkia include free carry-on baggage?
Yes, all standard Arkia tickets allow one carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg or 8 kg and one small personal item that fits under the forward seat.
What are the maximum dimensions for an Arkia carry-on bag?
Your main carry-on piece must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm, including all wheels, handles, and external pockets.
Does Arkia include a checked bag on domestic flights to Eilat?
It depends on your ticket bundle. Basic fares exclude checked luggage, while Classic fares between Tel Aviv and Ramon Airport include one checked bag up to 20 kg.
Can I add a checked bag after booking an Arkia flight?
Yes, you can add checked luggage through the "Manage Booking" section on Arkia's official website prior to your departure. Adding baggage online is cheaper than paying at the check-in desk.
What is the maximum weight for a checked bag on Arkia?
Standard checked bags allow 20 kg or 23 kg depending on your ticket, but no single bag may exceed 32 kg due to airport safety laws.
Are baby strollers free on Arkia flights?
Yes, passengers traveling with an infant can check in one fully collapsible stroller, buggy, or car seat free of charge.
Can family members pool their baggage allowances on Arkia?
Yes, passengers booked on the exact same reservation code can usually combine their total checked weight allowance at the check-in counter, provided no single bag weighs more than 32 kg.
Baggage rules, extra fees, and cabin allowances can vary based on your specific route, seasonal aircraft changes, and ticket booking class. The operating airline's official terms of carriage and individual booking confirmation always serve as the final authority.
