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How to Survive the Summer Queues at Ben Gurion Airport? The Secret Is Your Gear
July 28, 2026Updated October 23, 20265 min read
An article recently published in the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon gave a comprehensive overview of the great challenge of the travel season: how to fly in summer without losing your patience. It accurately described a familiar nightmare: the endless queues at Ben Gurion Airport, the family stress, and the feeling that the vacation starts with frayed nerves instead of calm. Makor Rishon offered excellent mental and psychological solutions, but at Camel Mountain we believe that alongside the mindset, there's a much simpler, practical, physical solution: the gear you choose to take with you.
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The right carry-on suitcase and an ergonomic backpack let you skip the check-in and bag drop queues completely, cutting your waiting time at the airport by at least an hour and a half. Bags with a smart compartment layout let you pull out passports and laptops easily at security, for a quick, calm, stress-free crossing.
The lesson from Ben Gurion: why everything starts (and ends) with what you carry
When we analyze a traveler's summer obstacle course, we find that most points of friction and stress are directly related to our luggage. The first and longest queue in the terminal is the bag drop. The second is security, where we have to open bags, pull out laptops, take off belts and pray the zipper doesn't split in the middle of it all. The third awaits us at the destination: the nerve-racking wait by the baggage carousel, hoping our suitcase actually arrived and didn't get lost in a connection in Rome or Athens.
As a family business, we have been accompanying travelers all over the world since 1975, and since 2006 as the Camel Mountain brand. The experience we've gained has taught us that switching to a smart way of traveling rests on one simple understanding: less is more, but only if that "less" is perfectly organized. When you leave home with a correctly sized carry-on suitcase and a tech backpack, you change the rules of the game completely. You don't wait an hour and a half in the bag drop queue, you go straight to the fast security check (W2Go at Ben Gurion), and when you land you simply walk straight out of the terminal to the taxi or train, while the rest of the passengers from your flight are still waiting, exhausted, by the carousel.
The carry-on method: how to skip the longest queue in the terminal
The big secret of frequent flyers is never checking a suitcase into the hold, especially on trips of up to a week or ten days. To do this right, you need to know the types of bags allowed on board and the differences between them. Airlines, especially low-cost airlines (like Ryanair, Wizz Air and EasyJet), have become very strict about bag dimensions in recent years, and oversize fees at the boarding gate can be very expensive and ruin your mood before you've even taken off.
This is where choosing exactly the right type of bag comes in. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide what suits your travel style:
| Bag type | Typical allowed dimensions | Main advantage | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard-shell carry-on suitcase (20 inch) | 55x40x20 cm | Maximum protection for the contents, 360 degree wheels for easy carrying | For those who want to pack neatly folded clothes, and for short business trips |
| Dedicated low-cost backpack (Ryanair size) | 40x20x25 cm | Fits under the seat in front of you, no extra fee on most airlines | For solo travelers, short weekend trips, and maximum savings on the ticket |
| Expandable travel bag or duffel | Varies (40 to 50 liter volume) | Maximum packing flexibility, easy to squeeze into the overhead bins | For young travelers, backpackers, and dynamic trips with many transfers |
Anatomy of a winning backpack for a fast security check
Even if you decided to check a large suitcase into the hold (because you're flying with children or for a long time), your backpack, the personal item that goes under the seat with you, is your first line of defense against stress. How many times have you stood in the security queue while the passenger in front of you tries to fish their laptop or liquids bag out of the depths of a messy backpack, while half their clothes spill onto the terminal floor?
A smart travel backpack must have a few critical features that let you get through security like a pro:
- A dedicated, separate laptop compartment: one at the back of the bag that lets you pull out the laptop or tablet in one quick move, without opening the main compartment where your clothes are.
- A quick-access top pocket for passports and boarding passes: a fixed, protected, safe place you can reach in a second, instead of searching your pockets or the bottom of the bag while the queue behind you presses on.
- An external USB port: so you can connect a power bank inside the bag and charge your phone while walking or standing in a queue, without holding heavy, awkward devices in your hands.
- A luggage strap on the back: a strong strap on the back of the bag that lets you slide it over your suitcase handle. It's a huge ergonomic upgrade that saves you carrying weight on your shoulders on long walks between terminals.
Practical tips for smart packing that keeps you calm
Packing well isn't only a question of what to take, but mainly of how to pack. Here are some proven methods to help you make the most of your bag's volume and avoid unnecessary mess during the flight:
1. Use packing cubes: the best suitcase organizing invention ever. Packing cubes divide your suitcase into small, portable "drawers" (for example: one cube for shirts, one for underwear, and one for cables and chargers). This prevents the "explosion" effect when you open the suitcase and lets you find any item in a second without messing up the rest.
2. The rolling method: instead of folding clothes flat the traditional way, roll them into tight rolls. This method not only saves up to 30% of the volume in your suitcase, it also prevents deep creases in your clothes.
3. The 3-1-1 rule for liquids: remember that all the liquids in your hand luggage must be in bottles of up to 100 ml each, all packed in one sealed clear bag. Prepare this bag in advance and put it at the very top of your backpack, so you can pull it out easily at security without holding up the queue.
In the end, as Makor Rishon rightly wrote, summer brings tough challenges at airports. But with proper preparation, the right choice of bags and smart organization, you can turn the journey into the calmest, most pleasant part of your vacation. Have a pleasant flight!
Based on a report: Flying in summer without losing patience, Makor Rishon
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a personal item and a carry-on?
A personal item is a small backpack or crossbody bag that must fit under the seat in front of you (usually up to 40x20x25 cm). A carry-on is a larger suitcase (usually up to 55x40x20 cm) meant for the overhead bin. On some low-cost airlines the carry-on costs extra, while the personal item is included in the basic ticket price.
How can I make sure my backpack meets strict low-cost rules?
Choose a backpack designed specifically for low-cost dimensions (like underseat bags or bags in Ryanair's dedicated dimensions). Also, don't stuff the bag to bursting, so it stays flexible and fits easily into the sizing frames at the boarding gate.
Can I take a power bank on the plane?
Yes, and in fact it must go in your hand luggage only (lithium batteries may not be checked into the hold because of the fire risk). A backpack with a built-in USB port lets you connect the battery inside the bag and conveniently charge your devices from the outside while waiting in the terminal.
What is the advantage of packing cubes for summer trips?
Packing cubes let you compress clothes optimally, save precious space in your carry-on and keep everything perfectly organized. They stop clothes getting messed up when you open the suitcase at security or at the hotel, and make unpacking at the destination much easier.
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