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Arkia Israeli Airlines (IZ) Guide

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Arkia flies from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to places such as Athens and Bangkok. This guide covers that network, the Arkia fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to pay less. Ask a question
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In short

Arkia Israeli Airlines is Israel's second-largest airline, founded in 1949 and based at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. It flies to Eilat and to 40+ destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, much of it holiday traffic out of Israel. Arkia is not part of an alliance and has no loyalty programme listed. All seats are Economy.

Arkia Israeli Airlines is Israel’s second-largest airline, founded in 1949 as Israel Inland Airlines. Based at Ben Gurion Airport with a hub at Ramon Airport near Eilat, it runs domestic flights and scheduled and charter flights to Europe, the Mediterranean and beyond.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Arkia Israeli Airlines. Routes, schedules, fleet and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Arkia Israeli Airlines is Israel's second largest airline, headquartered at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, with Ramon Airport near Eilat as its second hub. It suits travellers flying between Tel Aviv and Eilat, holidaymakers heading to Europe and the Mediterranean, and passengers on its newer Tel Aviv to New York route. The airline was founded in 1949 as Israel Inland Airlines and flew its first services in 1950. Its Hebrew name means "I will soar".

Arkia's route network

Arkia flies three kinds of route. The domestic link between Tel Aviv and Ramon Airport serves Eilat on the Red Sea. Leisure and city routes cross Europe and the Mediterranean, including Cyprus, and short regional flights reach nearby resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh. Since February 2025 it has also flown direct between Tel Aviv and New York JFK.

Arkia lists about 32 destinations, but the set changes by season, with more holiday routes in summer. Check the current timetable on the airline's website before you plan around a route.

The New York route and leased widebodies

Arkia owns no widebody aircraft, so the New York flights use aircraft leased with crew from other airlines. Recent examples include an Airbus A330-900 from Iberojet, a Boeing 787-9 from Neos and an Airbus A330-300 from Hi Fly. Seats, meals and entertainment follow the operating airline's aircraft, so check the operating carrier shown on your booking.

In January 2026 Arkia signed an interline agreement with JetBlue. Passengers can now buy a single ticket from Tel Aviv through New York to JetBlue's US and Caribbean cities, with bags checked through.

From helicopters to the A321LR

Arkia's history includes several Israeli aviation firsts. In October 1959 it ran the country's first civilian helicopter service. Between 1967 and 1968 its Handley Page Dart Herald aircraft opened routes to Jerusalem and Sharm el-Sheikh. On 28 November 2002 Arkia flight 582 was targeted by two missiles after take-off from Mombasa in Kenya; both missed and the aircraft landed safely in Tel Aviv.

Jordache Enterprises, controlled by the Nakash brothers, holds a 70 percent stake bought in 2006. The chief executive is Oz Berlovich.

Flying from Ben Gurion and Ramon

Arkia's international flights leave from Ben Gurion Airport, where Israeli security screening takes time, so arrive well before your check-in deadline. Domestic flights to Eilat use Ramon Airport, Arkia's second hub in the far south of the country.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Arkia official website

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  1. Arkia official website
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Good to know

  • AllianceNone
  • Founded1949
  • Other gatewaysETM

Everything you should know

Airline codes

IZ · AIZ

IATA · ICAO · callsign “ARKIA”

Look for IZ in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the Arkia code. Enter IZ and the number to follow an Arkia departure.

Key facts

Main hub

Tel Aviv (TLV)

Ben Gurion Airport

Also flies abroad fromEilat Ramon (ETM)

Network

40+ destinations

Israel · Europe · Mediterranean · Asia

Arkia flies from Tel Aviv to Eilat (via Ramon Airport) and to holiday and city destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia, including Greece, Cyprus, Georgia and Thailand.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

Mainly economy on Airbus A320, A321LR and Embraer 195 aircraft.

About the cabin

Good to know

Domestic flights to Eilat use Ramon Airport (ETM). Arkia’s official website is arkia.co.il.

Start a new search

bookingMentor lists IZ fares beside the other carriers on the same route, which shows quickly whether Arkia is the cheaper way to reach Athens.

Bon voyage on your next Arkia flight.

Select dates

At a glance

Arkia Israeli Airlines (IATA: IZ, ICAO: AIZ) is Israel’s second-largest airline, based at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Founded in 1949, it flies Airbus A320, A321LR, A330 and Embraer 195 aircraft to Eilat and to destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia.

Key facts about Arkia Israeli Airlines
HeadquartersBen Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel
Fleet typesAirbus A320, A321LR, A330-300 and Embraer 195
Official websitearkia.co.il

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Arkia serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Arkia timetable when you search. Search flights

Israel

Tel Aviv (TLV) departures1 destination

Fleet and aircraft

In July 2026 Arkia had seven aircraft of its own: three Airbus A320-200s, two Airbus A321LRs and two Embraer 195s. In November 2018 Arkia became the launch customer for the A321LR, a long-range version of the A321 that can reach most of Europe from Tel Aviv without a stop. The Embraer 195s fly the Eilat route and shorter regional sectors. With so few aircraft, one technical problem can delay several flights in a day. Leave a margin if you are connecting to another airline in Europe or the US.

  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body · 3 in service European routes
  • Airbus A321LR Narrow-body · 2 in service Longer routes
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body · 1 in service Long-haul routes
  • Embraer 195 Regional jet · 2 in service Domestic and short routes

Cabin classes

Arkia sells a single cabin, Economy, so every passenger sits in the same section.

Economy All flights

Standard seat

The main cabin on Arkia flights.

Fare options with bags

Frequent flyer programme

Details of the Arkia loyalty programme are being added Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Join on the airline's site

Baggage allowance

Arkia does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your IZ e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Set by your fare
Extra bags
Add online before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

A long-haul Arkia trip and a short hop can come with different allowances, and every cabin above the lowest economy fare gets more. The baggage page on arkia.co.il shows the rule for your route.

Baggage allowance depends on your fare, and lower fares on European routes can exclude a checked bag, so compare fare types on arkia.com before booking. On the New York flights the operating airline's aircraft and cabin layout apply, but Arkia's fare rules decide the allowance. Arkia does not belong to a global alliance, and the JetBlue interline is the main option for onward travel in the United States on one ticket.

Online check-in, seat selection and add-ons are handled through the airline's website. If you book Arkia as part of a package holiday, the tour operator's ticket conditions can differ from a direct booking, so read them before travel.

Pro tip: if your IZ fare comes without a hold bag, buy one in your booking before you fly; airport prices for extra bags are usually higher.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The four steps below take you from your Arkia booking to the gate, whether you depart from TLV or another airport on its network.

  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use arkia.co.il to check in for eligible flights. Have your Arkia booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International Arkia passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic IZ passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Each airport has its own Arkia check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international IZ departures.

    Check your deadline
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Arkia desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your IZ trip.

    Arkia counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official Arkia website.
Check in with Arkia
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Cheap tickets

Ways to pay less for an Arkia ticket, from the dates you choose to the fare type you buy.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    Arkia fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid the holiday peaks

    When school holidays and festivals send many people travelling at once, IZ fares rise. A trip just before or after the peak tends to cost less.

    School holidays · festivals
  3. 03

    Price the bundle, not the base fare

    An Arkia fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Don’t leave busy routes late

    Last-minute IZ seats on popular routes tend to cost more. Book a few weeks out when an Arkia route is busy.

    Popular routes
  5. 05

    Compare nearby airports

    If your city has more than one airport, price Arkia and its rivals from each before you book.

    Alternative airports

  6. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Arkia alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Arkia flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Arkia Israeli Airlines.
Answers checked against Arkia’s official website and published airline records. Reviewed 10 October 2026.

General

Arkia's main base and headquarters are at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. It also lists Ramon Airport, which serves Eilat, as a hub for its domestic flights.

Getting there