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How to Add a Suitcase or a Meal to a Flight to Thailand You've Already Booked
October 23, 2026
To add a suitcase or a meal to a flight to Thailand you've already booked, go to the airline's website or app (or the agent you booked through), open the "Manage Booking" section, and enter your booking code (PNR) and last name. There you can add baggage and meals for an extra fee. It's best to do this at least 48 to 72 hours before departure to avoid expensive airport rates or meals running out.
The flight to Thailand is one of the most exciting experiences for travellers. Whether you're heading to lounge on the beaches of Koh Phangan, trek in Chiang Mai or go on a shopping spree in Bangkok, it's a long flight of at least 11 hours (on a direct flight from Tel Aviv) or more if you chose a connecting flight. Sometimes, only after the booking is confirmed, we realize the suitcase included in the ticket won't be enough for all the shopping on the way back, or that we forgot to order a kosher or vegetarian meal for this long flight.
In this guide we'll explain exactly how to make these changes easily, why you must do it in advance rather than waiting for the airport, and how to avoid unnecessary fees that can reach hundreds of dollars.
Step by step: how to access your existing booking
No matter which airline you fly to Thailand, whether it's El Al, Gulf Air, flydubai, Etihad or Qatar Airways, the basic process of accessing your ticket is very similar. Here are the steps to follow:
- Find your booking code (PNR): this is a 6-character code (a mix of letters and numbers) that appears in the booking confirmation you received by email. Note that it's not the long ticket number, but the code that identifies the booking.
- Go to the airline's website: look for the tab called "Manage Booking", "My Bookings" or "My Trips".
- Enter your identifying details: the system will ask you to enter the PNR code and your last name (exactly as it appears in your passport and on the ticket).
- Choose the service you want: once the flight details load, you'll see a menu of extra services (Add-ons). There you can choose to add baggage or select meals.
If you booked the flight through a travel agent or a third-party site (like Skyscanner, Booking and so on), you may need to make the addition directly with the agent's customer service, or use the airline's own booking code (sometimes shown in the agent's email) to log in directly to the airline's website.
Adding a suitcase to a flight to Thailand: why you must do it in advance
The biggest mistake travellers make is arriving at the airport with an extra suitcase or excess weight without arranging it in advance. Airlines charge very heavy fees for excess weight or for suitcases that weren't paid for in advance. Here are a few things worth knowing:
1. Huge price differences: adding a suitcase on the airline's website in advance can cost between 50 and 100 dollars. The very same suitcase, if you try to add it at the check-in counter at the airport, may cost you double or even more.
2. Low-cost airlines and connections: if your flight to Thailand is made up of two different flights (for example, a flight with a stop in Dubai or Bahrain), make sure you add the suitcase to every part of the journey. On some airlines the fee is per segment, and on others it's per direction. Read the terms carefully while purchasing on the website.
3. Weigh it at home first: before you rush to buy an extra suitcase, weigh your existing one. Sometimes it's cheaper to upgrade the weight of your existing suitcase from 23 kg to 32 kg (if the airline allows it) than to add a whole second suitcase.
Adding a meal to your flight: key points, timing and options
On a long flight to Thailand, food is an integral part of the flight experience and your comfort. If you keep kosher, are vegetarian or vegan, or have allergies, here is what you need to know about adding a special meal:
- Advance booking only: airlines don't carry "spare" kosher or special meals on board. If you don't order in advance, you'll have to make do with the regular meals or go hungry.
- The critical time window: most airlines let you order or change a special meal up to 24 or 48 hours before the scheduled departure. On El Al flights, for example, it's recommended to do it at least 48 hours in advance. On foreign airlines departing from distant destinations, the window sometimes closes earlier (72 hours).
- Kosher meals on foreign airlines: Gulf airlines (like Etihad or Emirates) offer excellent kosher meals (Kosher Meal, KSML), but you must select this in Manage Booking in advance so the meal is loaded onto the plane at their home airport.
Comparison table: deadlines and tips for popular airlines to Thailand
To make things clear, we've collected the most important information for the leading airlines on the route to Thailand:
| Airline | Deadline for adding a special meal | Deadline for adding a suitcase online | Golden tip for flying to Thailand |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Al | Up to 24 hours before the flight | Up to 3 hours before departure | On flights to Thailand, demand for kosher meals is especially high. Order as early as possible to secure yours. |
| Flydubai | Up to 24 hours before the flight | Up to 4 hours before departure | On the most basic low-cost fares, meals and suitcases aren't included. It's much cheaper to buy them as a bundle in advance. |
| Emirates | Up to 24 hours before the flight | Up to 4 hours before departure | The airline offers excellent kosher meals on flights from Dubai to Bangkok, but they must be ordered in advance for each segment separately. |
| Etihad | Up to 24 hours before the flight | Up to 30 hours before departure (for the biggest discount) | Adding baggage on Etihad's website gives a discount of up to 20% compared to the airport price. |
How to avoid paying for an extra suitcase: smart packing
Before you spend a lot of money adding a suitcase, consider a much more efficient alternative: upgrading your packing gear. Many travellers don't make good use of their suitcase's volume or of their "personal item" allowance, or of a backpack that boards the plane with them.
Using a quality, ergonomic backpack of 30 to 40 liters can save you the need for an extra suitcase altogether. These bags are designed to use the maximum dimensions allowed on board, and let you keep the important and valuable things close to you. In addition, accessories like packing cubes let you compress clothes efficiently and save up to 30% of the volume in your existing suitcase.
In short, planning ahead is the key to a calm and cheaper flight to Thailand. Don't wait for the last minute: go into your booking today, make sure all your needs are updated, and set off with peace of mind!
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Frequently asked questions
Can I add a suitcase directly at the airport?
Yes, you can always add a suitcase at the airport check-in counters, but the price will be significantly higher (sometimes double) than what you'd pay if you added it in advance on the airline's website.
What if I booked my flight to Thailand through a travel agent?
In most cases you can use the booking code (PNR) you received from the agent to log in directly to the airline's website and make the addition. If the system is blocked, you'll need to contact the agent's customer service and ask them to add the suitcase or meal for you.
How far in advance do I need to order a kosher meal for a flight to Thailand?
Airlines require special meals (including kosher meals) to be ordered at least 24 to 48 hours before departure. It's best to do it right when you buy the ticket to avoid problems.
Can I bring food from home on the flight to Thailand instead of ordering a meal?
Absolutely. You may bring dry food on board, such as sandwiches, snacks, fruit and pastries. However, remember that liquids (including soups, sauces or soft cheeses) over 100 ml are strictly prohibited at airport security.
