El Al Weight
 

How are El Al on weight allowances these days? I am taking my baby daughter to Israel and will need to check in travel cot, baby stuff etc.

Europe-Israel:
40Kgs - On all segments for which First Class (F) fare has been paid.
30Kgs - On all segments for which Business Class (C) fare has been paid.
20Kgs - On all segments for which Economy Class (Y) fare has been paid.
50Kgs -All immigrants to Israel on El Al flights regardless of class of travel, except for infants below two years of age.

http://www.elal.co.il/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=613

That's the official allowance but how strictly is this enforced?

Rabbitman I do not know how strict EL AL is now but 40 years ago I was flying from London to New York on Air India. BOAC (now British Airways) were responsible in checking the baggage.I was a kid and many kilos overweight. The BOAC Agent wanted to charge me "excess baggage." So I told her OK then I want to change my ticket over to EL AL. I knew that EL AL had a flight at the same time and in those days you could switch with no problem.

She seemed upset and said OK but I will call EL AL and tell them that you are "overweight" and your way to their counter. When I arrived at the EL AL counter they said nothing and charged me 0.

Of course I have no idea how they are nowadays in regards to excess baggage. But your question reminded me of this experience.

The unofficial rule seems to be that as long as the piece doesn't look grossly oversized, they won't bother you if you are within as much as 20 pounds - but YMMV.

tell them you are moving to israel and they will not charge you anything. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Just returned.
70k was no problem.

>>just returned.
70k was no problem.>>

Glad to hear it. They are my favourite airline.

there is a higher allowance to/from North America than from anywhere else, say Europe.

It depends on the agent and their mood, sad as it is. If you are friendly to them, they will usually work with you. Go and piss them off and they can and usually WILL uphold the law.

I wouldn't (lie) about making "Aliyah"(immigrating to Israel).
It makes it harder for those who are actually making that blessed journey.

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PA747

It was the old Swissair out of Geneva that pissed me off the most as to excess. They nailed us for about 500 SF (what, $300 US or so) for excess.

We only fly British Airways out of Geneva and never have a problem, same baggage, it is unreal.

If you have an elite card, that goes along way.

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PA747