Surprise at Ben Gurion Airport: The Luxury of Abu Dhabi Arrives at Terminal 3
The operator of luxury lounges in over 40 destinations worldwide is launching a new VIP lounge at Ben Gurion Airport together with LAYAM, featuring a menu by chef Eitan Mizrahi, desserts by Dudu Otmazgin, and services for passengers. Who will be able to enter for free?
A new VIP lounge opened this Monday at Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion Airport, as part of a collaboration between the UAE-based Jetex and LAYAM, a company within the Teddy Sagi Group. This is the first of two luxury lounges the companies plan to operate in the terminal, which will eventually cover a combined area of 620 square meters.
The lounge is located in the duty-free complex, near the synagogue, and spans 250 square meters. It was designed according to global Jetex standards, utilizing warm earth tones, natural materials, and soft lighting. The design incorporates wood, stone, and brass, complemented by greenery, with interior design led by Studio Michael Azulay and Yaara Goner, an architect for the Teddy Sagi Group.
The space features furniture selected for long-term comfort and a lighting system that balances ambient and task lighting. Every seating station includes charging outlets and wireless internet. The layout includes quiet work zones, rest areas, and intimate seating corners, with designer partitions ensuring privacy.
The culinary experience is led by chef Eitan Mizrahi, who served for over a decade as the chef at the Royal Beach Hotel in Tel Aviv. The menu focuses on Israeli cuisine, while the dessert bar features creations by pastry chef Dudu Otmazgin. Guests can also enjoy Nespresso coffee and a variety of international premium alcohol brands.
The lounge is designed for passengers needing to work or hold business meetings. Additionally, LAYAM and Jetex are establishing a digital customer club, allowing passengers to book services, track flight times, and accumulate benefits prior to arrival.
Premium class passengers and eligible club members enjoy free access. Holders of American Express luxury cards can enter by presenting their physical card, with guest access governed by terms on the American Express website. This benefit is part of an exclusive agreement between American Express and Jetex. The lounge is also open to business class passengers of airlines such as Etihad, British Airways, and Air France.
Members of the Medical Association and other institutional partners also enjoy free entry. Other passengers may purchase a one-time entry for 100 dollars.
A second lounge of 370 square meters is set to open in the coming months. Last year, Jetex and LAYAM won an Israel Airports Authority tender to operate these lounges for six years, with a three-year extension option. According to company data, the turnover of luxury lounges at Ben Gurion Airport reached over 85 million shekels in 2025.
Sharon Agubal and Itay Lev, co-CEOs of LAYAM, stated: "We are proud to bring an innovative hospitality concept to Ben Gurion Airport. We listened to passengers and built exactly what they asked for—a beautiful, comfortable space with international-level facilities and high-quality food."
Jetex, headquartered in Dubai, operates in over 40 locations globally, including Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, and London. LAYAM, part of the Teddy Sagi Group, operates in the fields of duty-free, retail, and logistics at Israeli airports and seaports.
