Israel And Ben Gurion COVID-19 Reopening Master Thread

[m65]

My son is scheduled to fly JFK-FCO-TLV this week, returning with the student visa he's used for the past year.

Does he need to take a Covid test before flying, and if so, how close to departure does it need to be, and only PCR or other tests also okay?

legally he doesnt have to
that being said, there are reports of ignorant checkin agents, especially on non direct flights, denying boarding to passengers who didnt bring a test
may be smart to prepare him at least with an adobe test

[PlatinumGuy]

legally he doesnt have to
that being said, there are reports of ignorant checkin agents, especially on non direct flights, denying boarding to passengers who didnt bring a test
may be smart to prepare him at least with an adobe test

I was very nearly denied boarding by LY (contract staff) in DXB despite being fully eligible to enter. Only got on after physically snatching BP/passport from check in agent.

[JlmBoi]

I was very nearly denied boarding by LY (contract staff) in DXB despite being fully eligible to enter. Only got on after physically snatching BP/passport from check in agent.

On what grounds? I heard the local staff are no good.
I was once nearly denied boarding by the gate. I had to sign off a family members life so they would let me board. I had the page open with their policy clearly stating I was right. And that's a in a place Elal has been flying for a a long time. I always wondered if I could get any compensation for that. A few years back.

[PlatinumGuy]

On what grounds? I heard the local staff are no good

They were clueless & utterly unhelpful. I am not an Israeli citizen but recently recovered & exempt from testing.

Ironically, the Indian security guy, who seemed Jewish but barely spoke any Hebrew, asked me a great question - do you Daven on Choh Hamoed w tefillin?

[JlmBoi]

I am not an Israeli citizen

I should have known

recently recovered & exempt from testing.

That's one they tend to not know. I have done many tests just in case bc I'm scared they won't know. The one time I relied on it it worked though.

Ironically, the Indian security guy, who seemed Jewish but barely spoke any Hebrew, asked me a great question - do you Daven on Choh Hamoed w tefillin?

The only wrong answer is "yes with 3 pairs" or "yes my wife does too"

[username]

legally he doesnt have to
that being said, there are reports of ignorant checkin agents, especially on non direct flights, denying boarding to passengers who didnt bring a test
may be smart to prepare him at least with an adobe test

Thank you.

What about United from EWR? Are the check-in agents aware that valid student visa holders dont need a Covid test?  Any data points on that?

[points 99]

Curious to hear about anyone recent trips through (arriving/departing BG airport)- in terms of flight delays or checkin- counters etc.

Flew this week TLV-JFK on Elal. The line to check in was over hour and a half wait! Then they said that their conveyor belt cannot take any duffle bags, so after they tagged them, we needed to bring them to an elevator to be taken, and was told it would take a minute. The line to drop the bags was another half hour wait! They need to do a "quick" security check on each bag first. We had no choice but to cut that line (sorry...). We got to airport 3 hours before the flight, and did not finish cheking in/dropping off bags until 50 minutes before the flight, and still needed to go through security, and run to the gate
They are completely understaffed, and in no rush to help you get through...
Would suggest using suitcases and not duffle bags to save part of the headache...
The flight attendants did tell people a couple times to put on their masks, but they were not strict about it. In fact, I saw one of the flight attendants without a mask for most of the flight. In the terminal, no one was wearing masks, including all the agents/employees. And in JFK also, almost everyone took off their masks, and many of the employees were not masked

[Jacob88]

Flew this week TLV-JFK on Elal. The line to check in was over hour and a half wait! Then they said that their conveyor belt cannot take any duffle bags, so after they tagged them, we needed to bring them to an elevator to be taken, and was told it would take a minute. The line to drop the bags was another half hour wait! They need to do a "quick" security check on each bag first. We had no choice but to cut that line (sorry...). We got to airport 3 hours before the flight, and did not finish cheking in/dropping off bags until 50 minutes before the flight, and still needed to go through security, and run to the gate
They are completely understaffed, and in no rush to help you get through...
Would suggest using suitcases and not duffle bags to save part of the headache...
The flight attendants did tell people a couple times to put on their masks, but they were not strict about it. In fact, I saw one of the flight attendants without a mask for most of the flight. In the terminal, no one was wearing masks, including all the agents/employees. And in JFK also, almost everyone took off their masks, and many of the employees were not masked

thanks for your response.
Someone i know traveled in March and mentioned the whole duffle bag not allowed on the conveyor belt thing in TLV, and that seems new. Lots of students travel that way.
Any advice other then showing up 4 hours earlier? Must one check in at the counter first before going to secondary drop off line for the specific duffle bag drop off?

[BarryLincoln]

Must one check in at the counter first before going to secondary drop off line for the specific duffle bag drop off?

All pax need to do counter check-in.  Once complete, they'll accept your standard suitcases on the conveyor and ask you to take any duffels to the elevator/secondary drop-off for oversize items.

[Vexorg]

Are they asking for proof of covid 19  insurance at check in?

[Yosel]

Are they asking for proof of covid 19  insurance at check in?

no

[username]

Thank you.

What about United from EWR? Are the check-in agents aware that valid student visa holders dont need a Covid test?  Any data points on that?

BUMP

[justaregularguy]

can someone help- we lost a suitcase and its been a week already. the ticket we opened with luafer aviation in ben gurion possibly had the wrong suitcase number. we now know which suitcase number is missing. JFK showed us a screenshot that the missing suitcase was bulk loaded as opposed to container loaded, so that very likely caused the problem.

does anyone have expeirence w losing baggae in ben gurion, or experience working w luafer aviation?

we got our luggage back 

apparently it never made it out of jfk to begin with

[username]

Anyone flew recently  United to TLV (from EWR) with a student visa that was asked for a negative corona test?

[AsherO]

we got our luggage back 

apparently it never made it out of jfk to begin with

That’s crazy. Hope you get compensation of some sort.

[Judithp]

Anyone flew recently  United to TLV (from EWR) with a student visa that was asked for a negative corona test?

My son went earlier this week with his student visa and did not have to show a negative covid test. He did have to test on arrival though.

[username]

My son went earlier this week with his student visa and did not have to show a negative covid test. He did have to test on arrival though.

Thank you!

[Dover]

Can anyone recommend where to go in Israel for preflight COVID test  ?
Thanks

[shmooz]

Transit to TLV through Germany, when is a negative covid test required? 72 hours or 48? Pcr or antigen?

For flight tomorrow, trying to get it clear. Thanks

[justaregularguy]

Can anyone recommend where to go in Israel for preflight COVID test  ?
Thanks

go to Ichud Hatzalah no appointment necessary
https://goo.gl/maps/r9uR6dCLWUjBNDpL9