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How Much Does It Cost to Add a Suitcase on El Al? Prices and Excess Weight
October 23, 2026
Adding a first suitcase (up to 23 kg) to a Lite ticket on El Al costs between $35 and $45 to destinations in Europe, and between $80 and $90 to the USA and the Far East when bought in advance online. A second suitcase (beyond your allowance) costs about $75 to $90 to Europe and $150 to $200 to the USA. Buying at the airport is significantly more expensive and adds tens of dollars to the price.
El Al extra baggage prices: Europe versus long-haul destinations
When planning a flight with Israel's national airline, El Al, one of the most important issues affecting the travel budget is baggage. Since El Al moved to a modular pricing model (similar to low-cost airlines), the type of ticket you bought determines whether the suitcase is included in the price or whether you'll have to pay for it separately.
On the cheapest "Lite" tickets, the ticket includes only carry-on baggage (a trolley and a personal bag). If you want to send a suitcase to the hold (a check-in bag), you'll need to pay extra. By contrast, on "Classic" and "Flex" tickets, one suitcase of up to 23 kg is already included in the basic ticket price. The price of adding a suitcase varies with the destination (short and medium flights to Europe versus long-haul flights to the USA or the East) and with when you buy it. The most important rule to remember is: never wait until the airport to add a suitcase. Buying in advance on El Al's website will save you tens of percent of the cost.
| Type of baggage (up to 23 kg) | Destination | Bought in advance online | Bought at the airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| First suitcase (for Lite ticket holders) | Near and far Europe | $35 to $45 | $70 to $80 |
| First suitcase (for Lite ticket holders) | USA, Far East and South Africa | $80 to $90 | $110 to $120 |
| Second suitcase (beyond the ticket allowance) | Europe | $75 to $90 | $100 to $120 |
| Second suitcase (beyond the ticket allowance) | USA, Far East and South Africa | $150 to $180 | $200 to $230 |
Excess weight and size on El Al: how much will you pay per extra kilo?
One of the most common mistakes travellers make is arriving at the check-in counter with a suitcase weighing 24 or 25 kilograms, thinking "they won't make a fuss over a kilo or two". On El Al, as on most modern airlines, the policy on this has become very strict in recent years.
The maximum weight allowed for a standard suitcase on El Al is 23 kg (in Economy). If your suitcase exceeds this weight (that is, weighs between 24 and 32 kg), it will count as "overweight baggage" and be charged a significant fee. The cost of excess weight on El Al usually ranges from $70 to $100 per direction, depending on the destination. Note that a suitcase weighing more than 32 kg won't be accepted on the flight at all, for the safety and health of airport baggage handlers, and you'll have to split its contents into another suitcase.
Besides weight, pay attention to the suitcase's dimensions too. The maximum dimensions allowed for a suitcase going in the hold are a sum of length + width + height not exceeding 158 cm. Going over these dimensions (for example, large sports equipment, surfboards or special giant suitcases) will incur an extra oversized baggage fee, which can reach another $100 to $150.
How to add a suitcase on El Al the right (and cheapest) way
Adding a suitcase to your El Al ticket is a very simple process, but it's important to do it at the right time. Here are the different ways to do it and the costs involved:
- While booking your ticket: this is the most convenient and safest way. During the purchase process on El Al's website, the system will offer to add a suitcase or upgrade your ticket from Lite to Classic. Often the upgrade to Classic is better value if you know in advance that you'll need to check a suitcase and will also want to choose a seat in advance.
- After buying the ticket (Manage Booking): if you've already bought a Lite ticket and decided later that you need a suitcase, go to the "Manage Booking" section on El Al's website or app, enter your booking code and last name, and add a suitcase with a click, up to 3 hours before departure.
- Using frequent flyer points: frequent flyer club members and holders of El Al's co-branded credit card can use the points they've collected to pay for extra baggage. This is a great solution that can save you a lot of cash, especially on family flights with many suitcases.
- At the airport: if you arrive at the check-in counter and remember you have to check a suitcase you didn't pay for in advance, you'll have to pay the maximum rate. Payment is made at El Al's payment desk at the airport, which will cost you both precious time and unnecessary money.
Practical tips for smart packing and avoiding excess baggage fees
To avoid ending up paying hundreds of dollars for extra suitcases or excess weight, it's worth adopting a few smart travel habits that will help you make the most of the space in your existing gear:
Invest in a quality, lightweight trolley: your carry-on (the trolley) is your secret weapon. El Al lets you bring a trolley of up to 8 kg and 56x45x25 cm on board. Choosing a lightweight trolley made of advanced materials will let you pack more clothes and personal items without going over the weight limit.
Use organizers and packing cubes: packing cubes are the best way to compress and arrange clothes inside the suitcase and trolley. They let you use every free centimeter, prevent wrinkles and make it easy to find things during the trip without messing up the whole suitcase.
Weigh the suitcase at home: don't guess. Buy a small digital luggage scale and weigh your suitcases when they're full, before you leave home. If you see you're close to 23 kg, move heavy items (like shoes, coats or chargers) to the backpack or trolley that boards the plane with you.
Wear your heavy clothes: if you're flying to a cold destination and need a heavy coat, boots or thick jackets, don't pack them in the big suitcase. Wear them during the flight. Once you're on board you can take them off and put them in the overhead bin, saving precious weight in the suitcase that goes in the hold.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I pay for a suitcase on El Al with frequent flyer points?
Yes, members of El Al's frequent flyer club can buy extra baggage with points, or with a combination of money and points. It's best to make the purchase in advance online to get the best conversion rate.
What happens if my suitcase weighs 24 kg instead of 23 kg?
El Al is very strict about baggage weight. Going even one kilogram over the allowed 23 kg may incur an overweight fee of $70 to $100, so it's a good idea to get a hand-held scale and check the suitcase before leaving home.
Can I bring both a trolley and a small backpack on El Al?
Yes, on most El Al tickets (including Lite tickets) you can bring a small hand bag (like a laptop backpack or shoulder bag) that fits under the seat in front of you, in addition to a standard trolley of up to 8 kg for the overhead bin.
How far in advance can I add a suitcase on El Al's website?
You can add baggage on El Al's website from the moment you buy your ticket until 3 hours before the scheduled departure. After that, adding a suitcase is only possible at the airport check-in counters, at a significantly higher rate.
Is an infant entitled to a suitcase on El Al?
An infant (under two) without their own seat is usually entitled to check one suitcase of up to 10 kg at no extra cost, in addition to a stroller or car seat that can be taken up to the aircraft door.
