Our Review of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Our Review of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

PROs

Location: Ben Gurion International Airport is easily accessible for passengers going to many places in Israel and abroad due to its convenient location around 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv. Its closeness to main highways allows for fast access from places like Jerusalem and Haifa.

Modern Facilities: The airport offers a variety of culinary and shopping alternatives in addition to contemporary, well-maintained amenities. Duty-free stores, cafés, and restaurants serving both domestic and foreign food are available to passengers.

High Security Standards: The strict security procedures at Tel Aviv Airport are well-known for guaranteeing traveler safety. The extensive security process adds to a secure travel experience; however, it may necessitate additional inspections.

Diverse Flight Options: TLV Airport is a hub for Arkia, CAL Cargo Air Lines, EI AI, Israir Airlines and Sun d’Or. It is also a focus city for Bluebird Airways. The airport serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights,

Passenger Amenities: The airport provides various amenities, such as lounges, free Wi-Fi, and charging stations, enhancing the travel experience for both business and leisure passengers.

 

CONS

Security Wait Times: While security is thorough, it can lead to longer wait times during peak travel periods, particularly for international flights. Passengers may experience delays in processing.

Seasonal Crowding: TLV may get crowded during busy travel periods, which results in lengthier waits at security and check-in counters and makes for a less enjoyable experience.

Expensive Parking Fees: When compared to other airports, Ben Gurion Airport parking may be somewhat expensive, which may keep some visitors from utilizing it, especially on longer journeys.

Language Barrier: Though a lot of airport employees are fluent in English, there may occasionally be communication problems, particularly with certain local service providers. This might cause non-Hebrew speakers to become confused.

Long Immigration Queues: Long lines may form at immigration in TLV, particularly during periods of high travel demand. Passengers who are coming and departing may become frustrated as a result.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

There are two terminals: There are two primary terminals at Ben Gurion International Airport: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.  Terminal 1 primarily handles domestic and some international low-cost flights, while Terminal 3 is the main terminal for international flights. Verify the terminal from where your flight is departing to prevent confusion at the last minute.

Transport to and from Tel Aviv: Public transportation connects TLV to Tel Aviv and the other cities with ease. With trains departing every 30 minutes, the airport rail provides a dependable and efficient means of transportation to the city center. There are also ride-sharing services, taxis, and buses available.

Check-in Areas: Terminal 1 has a single level and check-in hall, security checkpoint, departures, arrivals and greeters’ halls all are conveniently located. Terminal 3 check-in hall along with departure area is located in level 3.

Amenities and Facilities: A variety of retail and eating options, including both foreign and local Israeli cuisine, are available at Terminal 3. Enjoy a comfortable environment with lounges available for relaxation. Free Wi-Fi is available all around the airport, making it simple to remain connected.

Family-Friendly Services: Tel Aviv Airport offers family-oriented amenities, including designated nursing rooms, children’s play areas, and stroller rentals. Both terminals have facilities that cater to traveling families, ensuring a more comfortable experience.

Lounges: TLV has a number of lounges that provide free food and drinks, comfy seats, Wi-Fi, and a peaceful area to unwind before your departure.

Additional Info:

There is free WiFi accessible all around the airport. At TLV, expect extensive security procedures that can involve inspections of your luggage and interviews. Even though the procedure moves quickly, it’s a good idea to come early to give yourself enough time for security clearance and check-in.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Tel Aviv Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Tel Aviv Airport (last month)