Arkia baggage policy 2026: Fees, Sizes & Weight Limits 

Arkia does not include checked baggage in most international fares. A personal item (20x30x40 cm) is free. A cabin trolley (8 kg) costs $25 in advance, and a 20 kg checked suitcase costs $50 in advance. Fees rise sharply at the airport, so prepay online to save.

Booking with Arkia Israeli Airlines can feel confusing when it comes to luggage. Unlike many carriers, Arkia separates its baggage into three tiers a free under-seat bag, a paid cabin trolley, and paid checked suitcases and prices change depending on whether you fly from Israel, Europe, or long-haul to the USA and Far East.

What is Arkia’s baggage allowance?

Arkia’s baggage allowance depends on your route and fare. On most international flights, only a free under-seat personal item (20x30x40 cm) is included checked bags and cabin trolleys cost extra. On USA and Far East flights, one 23 kg checked bag plus an 8 kg trolley are included free in the ticket price.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s included by route:

*Full-fare domestic tickets include a 20 kg suitcase and 8 kg trolley.

What is Arkia’s cabin baggage weight and size?

Arkia allows one free personal item measuring up to 20x30x40 cm that fits under the seat. A larger cabin trolley is permitted but must be purchased separately it can weigh up to 8 kg and measure a maximum of 25x45x56 cm, including wheels and handles. Cabin items over 12 kg are banned by IATA rules.

Cabin baggage at a glance:

• Free personal item: 20x30x40 cm, fits under the seat (documents, wallet, phone, medications)
• Cabin trolley: up to 8 kg, up to 25x45x56 cm, stored in the overhead bin
• Hard limit: no cabin bag over 12 kg may fly in the cabin

If your trolley exceeds 8 kg, you’ll pay an excess weight fee. Push past 12 kg and Arkia sends the bag to the hold for an extra $30 on top of the excess charge.

What is Arkia’s checked baggage price?

Arkia’s checked baggage costs $50 per direction when purchased in advance online for a 20 kg suitcase on international flights. That same bag jumps to $90 at non-EU airport counters or €85 at EU counters. Prepaying online saves you up to $40 per bag, per direction.

International checked bag prices (20 kg, per direction):

Additional international suitcases (up to 20 kg, per direction):

Every checked bag has a size cap: the total circumference (length + width + depth) must not exceed 158 cm.

What are Arkia’s baggage fees for international flights?

Arkia’s international baggage fees include $25 for a cabin trolley and $50 for a 20 kg checked suitcase when booked in advance. Airport prices are higher $30 for a trolley and $90 for a suitcase (non-EU). Excess weight costs $10 per kilogram, or €10 per kilogram at EU airports.

Cabin trolley fees (8 kg, per direction):

• Advance (website/call center): $25
• Airport, non-EU: $30
• Airport, EU: €25
• EU online check-in (return to Israel): €25

Excess weight fees:

• Non-EU airports and Israel: $10 per kg
• EU countries: €10 per kg
• Absolute maximum per item: 32 kg (IATA rule)

Cost scenario: A traveler flying Tel Aviv to Barcelona and back who books one trolley and one checked bag in advance pays $25 + $50 = $75 each way ($150 round trip). Wait until the airport and the same setup costs roughly $30 + $90 = $120 each way an extra $90 for the trip.

What is Arkia’s baggage policy for USA and Far East flights?

Arkia’s USA and Far East flights are more generous. The ticket price includes one free 23 kg checked bag, one free 8 kg cabin trolley (25x45x56 cm), and a free under-seat personal item. Additional 23 kg bags cost $110 in advance or $140 at the airport.

Extra suitcases on USA/Far East routes (23 kg, per direction):

Excess weight on these routes is $10 per kg, with the same 32 kg IATA ceiling per bag.

What are Arkia’s domestic flight baggage fees?

Arkia domestic flights in Israel include a free under-seat handbag (40x30x20 cm) but no checked baggage on standard fares. A trolley costs 10 NIS in advance, and a 20 kg suitcase costs 20 NIS in advance. Full-fare domestic tickets already include both a suitcase and a trolley.

Domestic baggage prices (per direction):

How do special items and sports equipment work?

Arkia charges flat fees for most sports and specialty items on international flights, typically $50 each way. Musical instruments up to 5 kg fly free in the hold after a liability waiver. Strollers, wheelchairs, and medical aids for infants and passengers with disabilities are always free.

Special equipment fees (international, each way):

• Diving equipment (no oxygen tanks): $50
• Ski equipment, snowboard, golf equipment: $50 each
• Bicycles (deflated, front wheel removed, packed): $50
• Surfboards/windsurfers/kite gear (up to 300 cm): $100 (most destinations), $150 (USA/Far East)
• Musical instruments (up to 5 kg): free

Always exempt from fees:

• Strollers and infant carriers
• Child booster seats (not car seats)
• Wheelchairs and medical aid equipment
• One baby bag that fits under the seat

How can you avoid extra Arkia baggage charges?

To avoid extra Arkia fees, buy baggage during booking or through the Personal Area on Arkia’s website, which carries no service charge. Weigh bags at home to stay under 20 kg (or 23 kg on long-haul), and never wait until the airport, where prices nearly double.

Smart packing checklist:

• Purchase baggage at booking or via the Personal Area (avoids the $10–$20 service fee charged by the call center)
• Keep your under-seat bag to 20x30x40 cm it’s always free
• Weigh checked bags at home; excess is $10 per kg
• Add or change baggage no later than 48 hours before departure
• If booked through a travel agent, add baggage only during online check-in (24 hours before) or via the service center

Service fees for changes (international): $10 for up to 2 passengers, $20 for 3 or more waived if done through the Personal Area.

Frequently asked questions

Does Arkia include checked baggage in the ticket price?
Not on most international or basic fares. Only USA and Far East flights include a free 23 kg checked bag. European and domestic standard fares require you to buy checked baggage separately.

How much is Arkia’s cheapest checked bag?
The lowest price is $50 per direction for a 20 kg suitcase booked in advance on international routes. Domestic suitcases are far cheaper at 20 NIS in advance.

What is Arkia’s carry-on size limit?
Your free under-seat personal item must not exceed 20x30x40 cm. A paid cabin trolley can be up to 25x45x56 cm and 8 kg, including wheels and handles.

What happens if my Arkia bag is overweight?
You pay $10 per kg (or €10 per kg at EU airports) for weight over your allowance. No single bag may exceed 32 kg under IATA rules.

Is it cheaper to buy Arkia baggage online or at the airport?
Online is always cheaper. A checked bag costs $50 online versus $90 at a non-EU airport a $40 saving per bag, per direction.

Can I bring a cabin trolley for free on Arkia?
No, not on international flights. The trolley costs $25 in advance. Only the smaller under-seat personal item is free. USA and Far East fares include a free trolley.

How late can I add baggage to my Arkia booking?
Up to 48 hours before your flight through the Personal Area or call center. Within 48 hours, you can only buy baggage during online check-in or at the airport counter.

What does Arkia charge for a bicycle or ski equipment?
Both cost $50 each way on international flights. Surfboards cost $100 each way to most destinations, or $150 to the USA and Far East.

Are strollers and wheelchairs free on Arkia?
Yes. Strollers, infant carriers, child booster seats, wheelchairs, and medical aid equipment travel free for infants and passengers with disabilities.

What is the maximum weight for one Arkia checked bag?
32 kg. Even if you pay excess weight fees, IATA safety rules prohibit any single checked item from exceeding 32 kg.