Arkia Israel Airlines Check-In and Boarding Pass

On most scheduled airlines, online check-in opens a day or two before departure and closes a few hours before the flight. Arkia follows this general pattern, but the exact time depends on the flight: check the one shown on your booking confirmation or on the airline's official website, and go by whichever is earliest.

At the airport, Arkia counters generally open a few hours before departure and close well before boarding. For an international flight from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, plan to be there early: Israeli security checks can take a while. For a domestic flight to Eilat, the recommended lead time is shorter, but arriving late at the counter still can't be made up for.

A safe rule of thumb: assume online check-in closes several hours before departure and that the counter closes at least an hour before, earlier still on international flights.

Arkia's online check-in is done through the dedicated section of the airline's website, using the booking reference and the passenger's name exactly as it appears on the passport or ID card. The system then asks you to confirm your travel document details, followed by seat assignment or seat changes.

Some passenger profiles aren't accepted online and must check in at the counter. This is often the case for:

• passengers with reduced mobility or requiring assistance,
• unaccompanied minors,
• groups and tickets issued as part of a package or charter,
• animals travelling in the cabin or hold,
• oversized baggage, sports weapons, diving equipment.

If the screen won't let you complete check-in without explanation, it's usually one of these situations, or incomplete passport details on file.

Once check-in is confirmed, the boarding pass is sent by email and can be kept on your phone. Check straight away that your name is spelled correctly, along with the flight number and the boarding gate shown, which can still change.

The digital boarding pass isn't accepted everywhere in the same way: some secondary airports or certain charter flights still require a paper version. If in doubt, print it out.

If you're checking a bag into the hold, an online boarding pass doesn't exempt you from going through the baggage drop counter, which closes earlier than boarding.

Arkia's baggage allowance depends on the fare purchased and the type of flight. On domestic routes, cabin and hold allowances are generally more limited than on international flights, and the cheapest fares may include only a reduced-size carry-on. The permitted dimensions and weight are shown on your ticket: check them before you leave, as excess baggage is charged at the counter at the airport rate, which is higher than booking in advance.

Departing from Israel, security procedures add to the usual check-in time, which is why arriving well in advance is worthwhile. Baggage drop closes before boarding, and the gate may only be announced on the screens quite late.

For international flights, passport validity is checked at the counter, and the airline can refuse boarding if the entry requirements of the destination country aren't met. Entry rules are set by the authorities of the country concerned, not by the airline.

Booking reference rejected: the code used is sometimes the one from the travel agency or tour operator rather than Arkia's own reference. The airline's code appears on the e-ticket.

Name doesn't match: check-in gets blocked if the name entered differs from the travel document, particularly with compound first names or transliteration from Hebrew. Corrections need to go through customer service, not online.

No seat assigned: on certain fares, seat selection is a paid option and the seat is only assigned at the airport. This doesn't stop you from getting your boarding pass.

Flight changed or cancelled: a boarding pass already issued becomes invalid after a schedule or flight number change, and check-in needs to be done again.

If you'd rather not keep track of when check-in opens, iBoardingPass can check in online on your behalf as soon as it opens and send you the boarding pass by email.

Travellers combining an Arkia flight with an international connection will find different procedures depending on the carrier. El Al check-in follows its own deadlines from Ben Gurion, with earlier counter closing times and its own security questioning before the desks.