Taking Flight

AIRLINE MEALS, SEATING & POINTS

Details about the group flight will be communicated by your program organizer directly.

  • If you want a special meal (e.g. vegetarian, etc.) note this as part of your application.
  • Seating is pre-assigned by the airline on group flights, and special requests can be made at check-in only.
  • If allowed by the airline, participants are responsible for obtaining reward points directly via the airline using the ticket information obtained at check-in.

LUGGAGE RULES

Check with your specific airline for the most updated terms, however, the following are the basic luggage rules for most transatlantic group flights:

  • Checked Luggage: One bag is free at no more than 50 pounds (22.67 kg) and 30 inches (76.2 cm) long.
  • Carry-on Luggage: One carry-on size backpack and personal item is allowed

DEPARTING & RETURNING

Your program organizer will set a meeting place and time at the departure airport. In the event that you are delayed on departure day, contact your program organizer staff ASAP. If necessary and if possible, we will seek to re-schedule you on the next available flight. On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, we proceed to passport control and then re-form as a group at baggage claim where we will be met by a program greeter. In baggage claim, there will be time for restroom breaks and for using an ATM or currency exchange service. From baggage claim, we will proceed as a group to the bus loading zone to meet our local guide and begin our travels. For the return flight we typically clear customs/baggage claim within 60-90 minutes of arrival in the United States. If scheduling a connecting flight, allow for a buffer of at least three hours between flights within the same airport. Staff will typically be on hand to escort participants through baggage claim and direct them to their connecting flights.

AIRLINE DEVIATIONS

Rules and costs governing flight extensions differ greatly from airline to airline. Typically, travelers can extend any leg of their group ticket but cannot change the routing (e.g. no flying home via a different city) unless they make special arrangements to secure an individual ticket – which must be done at least 100 days in advance. Group ticket deviations are subject to an airline imposed change fee and any difference in fare that may apply. Flight availability is often limited, so coordinating your extension well in advance will give you the most options and the lowest cost. In most case, group flight change requests can only be submitted via Authentic Israel per airline rules (contact flights@authenticisrael.net).