The Vastness Of Ben Gurion Airport

Ben Gurion International Airport, located in Tel Aviv, Israel, is the country's main international airport and largest airport. The airport is named after David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel. With a capacity of 12 million passengers annually, the airport is considered to be among the five best airports in the Middle East due to its passenger experience and high level of security. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years, with Terminal 3 being built to accommodate increased traffic and Terminal 2 serving domestic flights until 2007. The terminal features a unique design, incorporating natural daylight, ceremonial arrival halls, communal gathering areas, and gardens.

Terminal 1, the former main terminal building

Prior to the opening of Terminal 3, Terminal 1 was the primary terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The departures check-in area was located on the ground floor, from where passengers proceeded upstairs to the main departures hall. The main departures hall offered various facilities, including passport control, duty-free shops, VIP lounges, a synagogue, and boarding gates. Once at the gates, travellers would descend to the ground floor again, where shuttle buses transported them to airplanes on the tarmac.

The arrivals hall at Terminal 1 is located at the south end of the building. It includes passport control, luggage carousels, duty-free pick-up, and customs. Apron buses are available to transfer passengers and crews between the terminal and airplanes parked on the tarmac, which can be over 500 metres away.

Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport also provides free wireless internet and has several lounges, including the exclusive El Al King David Lounge for frequent flyers and three Dan lounges for privileged or paying flyers. Additionally, during Shabbat, on Friday afternoons, and Saturdays, all flights from Terminal 1 depart from Terminal 3.

Terminal 2, which opened in 1969

Ben Gurion International Airport is the main international airport of Israel. Located on the outskirts of the city of Lod, it is the country's busiest airport. The airport was known as Lod Airport until 1973, when it was renamed after David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister.

Before the opening of Terminal 3, Terminal 1 was the main terminal building at Ben Gurion Airport. The departures check-in area was located on the ground floor, and passengers proceeded upstairs to the main departures hall, which contained passport control, duty-free shops, VIP lounges, a synagogue, and boarding gates. At the gates, travellers would descend to the ground floor, where shuttle buses transported them to airplanes on the tarmac. The arrivals hall was located at the south end of the building, with passport control, luggage carousels, duty-free pick-up, and customs.

Due to increased traffic in the late 1990s and over-capacity issues with Terminal 1, an international section was added to Terminal 2 until Terminal 3 was opened. Terminal 2 was eventually demolished to make room for additional air freight handling areas.

Terminal 3, which has business lounges

Ben Gurion Airport, the main international airport of Israel, has seen expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The airport, located on the outskirts of the city of Lod and directly south of Or Yehuda, is about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Jerusalem and 12 miles (20 km) southeast of Tel Aviv.

The Dan Lounges, located in Concourses C and E, are Priority Pass lounges that offer admittance to passengers with status with the airline or those flying in business or first class. The lounges feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runway and El Al aircraft. They offer comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, entertainment, and WiFi. The menu includes a selection of salads, cheese, breads, pastries, cereals, and soup. Drinks include complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, and wine.

In addition to the Dan Lounges, Terminal 3 also hosts the exclusive El Al King David Lounge for frequent flyers. The exact location of this lounge within the terminal is not publicly disclosed.

The airport's design, which is modern but reflects cultural heritage

Ben Gurion International Airport, located on the outskirts of Lod and directly south of Or Yehuda, is the main airport of Israel. The airport dates back to the 1930s and has undergone expansions and renovations over the years. Despite these changes, the facility was showing its age by the 1990s, prompting the airport authority to embark on a new expansion project to build a world-class terminal with a capacity of 16 million passengers annually.

The design of the airport is a testament to its modern architecture while strongly reflecting the country's cultural heritage. The terminal, designed by SOM, is the largest public project undertaken in Israel and has become a symbol of the nation's growing international status. The design celebrates arrival and departure while taking into account the region's climate.

One of the most striking features of the airport is the abundant natural daylight that fills the spaces. The airside connector features opposing ramps that are bathed in light, symbolising the ideal of open borders as arriving and departing visitors cross each other's paths. The heart of the airport is a spacious rotunda with an inverted dome pierced by an oculus, through which a waterfall flows, creating a dramatic and unique focal point.

The terminal's design also incorporates terraced gardens with local flora, adding to the pastoral orientation of the space. The use of light is intentional and processional, elevating the experience of arrival and departure for passengers. The structure is designed with a clean palette of glass, warm stone, and metal, accommodating the diverse functions of the airport and allowing for easy adaptation over time.

In addition to its architectural design, the airport also showcases Israel's historical and cultural heritage through exhibitions such as 'The Eternity of Israel' in Terminal 3. This immersive exhibition invites travellers to explore Israel's rich history and the spirit of discovery through archaeological artifacts and rare photographic moments. It offers a glimpse into the heritage of the Jewish people and their journey through ancient times to modern revival.

The airport's location, 45km from Jerusalem

Ben Gurion International Airport is located 45 kilometres (28 miles) northwest of Jerusalem. The airport is situated on the outskirts of the city of Lod and is directly south of Or Yehuda.

There are a few transport options for travelling between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem. The fastest way to get to Jerusalem from the airport is by train, which takes around 20 to 26 minutes and costs $5 to $7. The train from the airport to Jerusalem is operated by Israel Railways and departs hourly. It is worth noting that there are no direct trains connecting the airport to Jerusalem, so the trip will consist of two connections.

Another option is to take a shuttle bus, which costs €4 or $2 to $4 and takes approximately 1 hour to reach downtown Jerusalem. The bus from the airport to Jerusalem is operated by Egged and departs six times a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For those who prefer a more comfortable journey, a taxi from the airport to Jerusalem is a good option. Official taxis are always available at the airport, but there may be a wait of up to 30 minutes during rush hour. The fixed price for a taxi from the airport to Jerusalem is €70 or $70, and the journey takes around 50 minutes in normal traffic conditions. It is important to note that there is a 25% surcharge for travelling at night or on Jewish holidays and Shabbat.

Frequently asked questions