If, while you are in Israel on your Birthright Israel trip, you decide that you would like to stay longer than the original or extended date, you must call the airline to cancel your return and book a new return date. You must contact the airline BEFORE your confirmed return date. All changes to your ticket are subject to seat availability with the airline in the same class code/airfare category. If you do not contact the airline prior to the confirmed return date to arrange another flight home, you risk having your return ticket cancelled being "NULL and VOID," and you may have to purchase a one-way ticket to return home at your expense.
To change your return date once in Israel, the airline will need to know your preference of dates (you should have more than one choice of dates, as seats are limited), complete credit card details, a local telephone number in Israel and an email address to process your request. Having the required information prior to calling will help expedite your request. Please review Gil Travel's website prior to departure or speak with your Trip Organizer once in Israel for details as seats are very limited in the summer.
If you will not be using your return ticket to US/Canada you must inform your Trip Organizer immediately. This will prevent additional airline charges.
If you do not contact the airline before your scheduled return date and neglect to arrive for the scheduled departure you will forfeit your deposit held for your trip.
RESCHEDULE YOUR RETURN FLIGHT
The following information is for participants who are not joining Birthright Israel Plus.
The travel agency handling extensions from the US/Canada prior to departure is Gil Travel. They require at least 10 business days prior to your departure date to process your request. If you do not extend your return date prior to leaving the US/Canada (exceptions noted below) the airlines may be able to assist you once you have arrived in Israel.
Extensions are NOT guaranteed. It is NOT recommended that you make post-trip plans until you have a confirmed return date from Israel. All requests should be submitted to the airlines more than 72 hours before the group’s return date. Check with your Trip Organizer for specific extension details for the airline with which you are traveling, as other restrictions may apply.
Contact Gil Travel
If you are going to extend your stay in Israel prior to departure for flights originating from Canada with Air Canada, you can make your extension request by completing the Request for Extension Form and emailing it directly to Air Canada (edesk@aircanada.ca)
If you will not be using your return ticket to US/Canada, you must inform your Trip Organizer immediately. This will prevent additional airline charges. If you do not contact the airline before your scheduled return date and neglect to arrive for the scheduled departure you will forfeit your deposit held for your trip.
CONTACTS FOR THE AIRLINES ONCE YOU ARE IN ISRAEL
Air Canada: In Tel Aviv: 03-6072111. Hours of operation Sun-Thu 8:30AM-5PM Israel time.
Austrian: In Tel Aviv: 03-9058049, Sun-Thu 9AM-5PM Israel time.
Brussels Airline: Email Israel@brusselsairlines.com or call 03-5185262, Sun-Thu 10AM-1PM Israel time (ask for Assaf or Tanya).
Delta: In Tel Aviv 03-5138000 ext 3, Sun-Thu 9AM-5PM Israel time.
EL AL Israel Airlines: In Tel Aviv 03-9771111, 24 hours a day.
Iberia: Email request more than 3 business days before confirmed group departure Taglit.ib@ba.com or contact in Tel Aviv 03-6061555, Sun-Thu 9AM-5PM Israel time.
LOT Polish Airlines: Airline representative In Tel Aviv is CL AL Aviation: 03-5214222 Sun-Thu 9:30AM-5PM Israel time.
Lufthansa: In Tel Aviv: 03-9058049 Sun-Thu 9AM-5PM Israel time.
Swissair: In Tel Aviv: 03-9058049 Sun-Thu 9AM -5PM Israel time.
United Airlines: In Tel Aviv 03-5116777, Sun-Thu 8:30AM-5PM Israel time.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact your Trip Organizer directly. A list of all Trip Organizers and their contact information can be found on our website (www.birthrightisrael.com) by going to THE TRIP page and the Find a Trip Organizer section. Birthright Israel is not responsible for flight changes made for new return dates.
