Which Airlines Fly from Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is Ben Gurion's original terminal, reopened in 2007 after a full renovation. It now serves mainly low-cost carriers and domestic routes, apart from the modern Terminal 3, which handles most international traffic. Because domestic flights are occasionally reassigned between the two terminals, do not assume your terminal from a previous trip. Always check the current terminal on the Ben Gurion Airport schedule before you leave for the airport, and use the live board on this page to confirm status and terminal for your specific flight.
Getting to Terminal 1
A free shuttle connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. It departs every 15 minutes and operates according to the Terminal 1 flight schedule, so check the operating hours in advance based on your own flight. Allow extra time for that transfer if you are connecting.
Check-In and Security at Terminal 1
Complete your check-in online before arriving, since low-cost carriers charge a counter check-in fee that can exceed the price of the ticket itself. Security screening at Ben Gurion starts before you even reach the check-in hall: trained selectors interview passengers and check documents, then luggage is X-rayed ahead of the counters. Carry-on bags are scanned again and passengers pass through a magnetometer before passport control. The whole process takes longer than at most airports, so build in extra time, especially for international departures.
Inside Terminal 1 Before Your Flight
Terminal 1 keeps things simple: the vending machines here are cheaper than the food stands, so they are worth using for a quick snack or drink before boarding. Selected restaurants and machines also carry price-regulated items such as instant coffee, pastries and bottled water. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole airport, Terminal 1 included, with no registration needed for basic access — just connect to the network and get online while you wait for your gate to be called.