Abu Dhabi Airport Passenger Reviews and Abu Dhabi Airport Traveller Reports   a World 4-Star Airport         Add your Abu Dhabi Airport Review   Abu Dhabi Airport 4-Star Ranking

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Abu Dhabi International Airport customer review :  23 October 2010 by E Andrean   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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On arrival at Abu Dhabi airport from Heathrow we were shocked to see a small area of poor quality, overcrowded seating and just a shabby very expensive cafe. Other than this there were some duty free shops. There was a general shortage of toilet facilities. All very depressing when you know you will be spending 6 hours there on your return journey. Etihad might have nice lounges for business and first class passengers but these facilities are not available to economy class passengers. The security check point for transfer passengers was heaving with queues of people and we found it very confusing. When I reached the front of the queue they sent me away because I was missing a tag? On our return journey we paid to use the "Hotel Lounge" which was worth every penny.

Abu Dhabi International Airport customer review :  11 October 2010 by T Neyrinck   (Belgium)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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T3 is bright, clean with speedy security and passport controls. The transit zone before/between flights is not a place to spend more than 2 hours (limited choice of food and shops), but not a bad experience either. T1 is in an another league: old and worn, okay for arriving at, but not a nice place to depart from. All in all a basic but efficient airport as long as you pass through T3.

Abu Dhabi International Airport customer review :  20 September 2010 by A Stevenson   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Transfer at AUH from LHR enroute to CMB and on return journey. Arrival at AUH Terminal 3 - this is the first time in many years I'd passed through Abu Dhabi, and T3 was new to me. Fairly typical modern airport terminal - clean, spacious, lots of steel and glass. 10 minute walk to Terminal 1 for connecting flight - while still architecturally eye catching, showing its age, and feeling a bit sticky. 10 or so free internet terminals, several of which weren't working. On the return flight, we taxied to a remote stand and were bussed to a gate close to terminal 1. Long layover of 6.5 hours. While deciding what to do, I was approached by a friendly airport employee who explained my options, including (as a UK passport holder) the option to pass through immigration and leave the airport if I so wished. In the end, decided to find somewhere quiet to try and catch up with my sleep. Rather than proceed to my departure gate, I went up the elevator to the arrivals floor and walked back towards terminal 3. Limited seating en-route, and no facilities other than toilets, but very quiet and I was largely undisturbed for several hours. I noticed a room full of seating close to the transfer desk. Approaching departure time, I made my way back to the departures level, and through security (peculiarly, I don't remember needing to do this on the outward leg). Once through security, the route inevitably winds it's way through a huge shopping area before reaching the T3 departure gates. As is the case with T1, there were several free internet terminals. Plentiful seating at the gates themselves.

Abu Dhabi International Airport customer review :  24 June 2010 by H Melby   (Norway)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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Terminal 1 is horrendous in every way and spending any more than 1 hour there is excruciating. A few days ago I had a 5-hour layover in Abu Dhabi airport, not knowing which terminal the departure would be from upon landing. Knowing what terminal 1 was like, I feared the worst. Thankfully it was from the new T3, which is a huge improvement. I must say the "most improved airport" award that AUH has gotten is really deserved. T3 has plenty of shops, plenty of places to eat (which is severely lacking in T1), and plenty of computers with free internet (there were never any lines). It is also clean and looks very modern, with actual windows unlike the old terminal. Staff were also quite friendly. When looking at the departure board, a staff member immediately approached me and asked me where I was travelling and directed me towards the appropriate gate. I wont mind transiting through this airport for future journeys as long as it is through T3.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT customer review :  11 May 2010 by S Montavanio   (Italy)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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The new Terminal 3 is a huge improvement on Terminal 1 with upgraded facilities and overall good passenger experience. Not much to complain about other than the limited seating provided for passengers at T1 and then some rude, abrupt and unfriendly police at security checkpoints who has the ability to make any traveller feel most unwelcome for using this airport for travelling purposes.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT customer review :  8 May 2010 by K Guest   (Germany)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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After a 14+ hour flight I was looking forward to getting a hot shower and a relaxing nap in the airport hotel or at least in one of the pay-for-service lounges during my 8 hour layover. We landed in the new terminal (3?), and whilst at first glance its nice, clean and new looking, I soon discovered there were very few directional signs, no shower facilities, no airport hotel or lounge facilities (unless you're Etihad silver or gold member), hardly anywhere to sit, nothing to do at all except buy duty free items or line up for 30 minutes of free internet and finding an open information desk was a huge achievement. I was eventually told I would have to go back though security and walk over to the old terminal if I wanted a shower, but after having dealt with the rude security staff, I declined. Its a real pity that the new terminal is so poorly outfitted, will make me seriously reconsider flying Etihad if I have a long layover again.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT customer review :  12 April 2010 by Matthew Naz   (Australia)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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I am surprised at how a major airport hub like AUH could run with no facilities what so ever apart from the free internet. I had a very long 12 hour transit in AUH en-route to Cairo from Sydney and was ashamed at the service of facilities. I admit the new terminal 3 is a big push into the skies from the old terminal 1, but there's still more pushing up to do if they want passengers to enjoy their transit in AUH. I have also departed and arrived in AUH and would give them a thumbs up at the services offered during departure and arrival but check in is a nightmare with all Etihad flights checking in from the same line of desks.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  14 February 2010 by R Watson   (USA)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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Part of an airport's ranking and reviews should depend on how they deal with a medical emergency. I was flying from AUH 2 weeks ago and a passenger in his late 50's dropped to the floor in the duty free. It took almost 15 minutes for a doctor to arrive at which point the passenger had died. A person approached the airport manager about this delay and was told if he did not mind his business, he would be detained by the police. Abu Dhabi airport is tiny compared to other major airports where medical staff reach the scene within 3 minutes.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  23 January 2010 by M Baughman   (USA)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Etihad staff nice but the equipment is dysfunctional. Then there's all the back and forth between the new terminal that is fairly nice and the old terminal which is a dump with a glittery paint job. There are some pluses, though: a special business/first class check-in in a separate space and a dedicated immigration officer that covers all airlines. One staffer there was kind enough to go track down a lost sketchbook for me after I had already gone through immigration. The business lounge for BA and other airlines was too small for the number of flights served at peak.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  3 January 2010 by Geoffrey Wyndham-Jones   (Kuwait)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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In transit only, although a change of terminals was required in both directions. Terminal 1 is the old terminal, which is short on seating although architecturally interesting with the tiled mushroom in the centre. However, seating is limited, food choice is limited, and the place is kept over-airconditioned. Terminal 3 is the new terminal, and is more spacious, with better facilities and a greater choice of eating places: if you are in transit, it may be better to stay in Terminal 3 until an hour before your flight and then head across to Terminal 1. Security for transfer passengers changing terminals is reasonable, with plenty of space and barriers to direct passengers. I was quite impressed.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  1 December 2009 by S Abrams   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Transited AUH both ways. Modern airport with what seems like miles to walk from arrival gate to security and back to departure gate. Long queue for transit security. Usual duty free shops but not very cheap. Free wi-fi signal very weak in food court area. Smell of tobacco smoke everywhere, despite the airport being non-smoking in public areas, the sliding doors to the smoking booths do not close fully allowing the smoke and smell to permeate through into the rest of the airport.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  26 November 2009 by Bill Jones   (Canada)

Customer Rating :  3/5

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Arrived from LHR on BA at 8pm. Slightly amused by the "greeter" in local arab dress at the gate welcoming deplaning passengers. Didn't have the personality for it, I suppose. Walked through aquarium-like central area (lime green and blue tiles) and off to surly immigration. All our information was manually entered into a computer painfully slowly (key-by-key) and then collected baggage. Was a pretty quick once past immigration though crowded. Airport also appeared to have the lingering smell of cigarette smoke. Airport seemed very crowded and is probably going to be expanded at some point. Car to city was as expected. Airport was not what you'd expect from an oil-rich city-state.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  15 November 2009 by Farouk Mogheth   (Czech Republic)

Customer Rating :  5/5

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Flying through Abu Dhabi (Bangkok to Munich and back). Both flights with Etihad gave me only 2 hours transit. It was a nice experience from and to my destination. The new part of the terminal was clean, crowd free and easy to navigate through. I guess I was lucky to bypass the rush hour. WCs clean, fair amount of shopping and a couple of food venues. Security fast and efficient. A good airport to fly through.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  17 July 2009 by P Sims   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

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In and out of Terminal 3 this week. Very poor facilities for food and drink. In duty free I looked at cameras and Ipods. Both seemed expensive and on checking my preferred items they are cheaper on the UK High Street than so called duty free in Abu Dhabi. Buyer beware!

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review :  3 July 2009 by A Patel   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

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The view of this airport may depend on what terminal you arrive and depart from. I was a transiting passenger at the new Terminal 3. This is a terminal with plenty of seating, internet access points and adequate duty free. Security was quick and easy and the terminal had plenty of toilets which were clean. I'm not sure what the rest of the airport is like but if you are travelling through Terminal 3 it was a very pleasant experience.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 25 May 2009 : by J Carters

Customer Rating : 1/5

I had the unfortunate pleasure of having a lay-over at AUH airport, Terminal 1 a while ago. The place is small and it was ridiculously crowded and there was no place to sit anywhere. It was in general a very uncomfortable experience, with a smoking area so disgusting that even after a 7h flight into AUH I passed up on the chance to smoke. I was glad to just go to the gate (located in between the shops) and wait there. Once the security check was starting, it was a men-first situation, and the women had to wait until the men had passed through. It was the flimsiest security check I have ever had, the metal detectors were beeping quite often but everyone was waved through anyway. Never been happier to get onto a crowded plane, just to get away from there.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 5 May 2009 : by Fiona Cameron

Customer Rating : 3/5

Terminal 3 may be more unique than Terminal 1 which is like any terminal anywhere in the world, admittedly Terminal 1 is more spacious which is a plus, and there were numerous powerpoints which I saw a family use to plug in the portable DVD player to keep the kids happy. There were computers in Terminal 1 with free internet access which helped pass the time on my overnight stopover. Security checkpoints were not as traumatic as I expected and all in all it was as bad as I was dreading.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 19 April 2009 : by R Bath

Customer Rating : 3/5

Just a transiting passenger both directions. New terminal is a vast improvement although long walks are required and it's kind of boring. Old terminal building with its interesting but terrifying decor is a shocker. Advice: Toilets upstairs are far better than those downstairs (the worst I've ever seen at any airport). Coming back, Business Class lounge and transfer hotel OK.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 10 March 2009 : by A Newton

Customer Rating : 4/5

A lot better since the new terminal 3 has opened. a lot more spacious, and even at their busiest time between 11am - 3pm not a problem. a few duty free shops and places to grab something to eat. not bad at all compared to T1.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 3 March 2009 : by P Nixon

Customer Rating : 4/5

A fine airport with all the mod cons, if a little cramped for the volume of customers currently using it. The unique architecture is a welcome break from the beige and glass structures so common in modern airports, and although the facilities are spartan, they fulfil the purpose. The staff are heplful and pleasant, with the exception of security. However I've had far more unpleasant experiences with security personnel at other transit hubs in the region, these guys should are par for the course.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 26 January 2009 : by S Pathirana

Customer Rating : 1/5

Having the displeasure of using this airport a couple of times, I have now preferred using Dubai, and that is saying something. Extremely dull airport, ridiculously tacky terminal which has no space at all. Can get very crowded. Toilets are horrid. There's been talk of expansion, and the little expansion that has happened is barely noticeable (more check-in counters at departure). Rude officials at arrivals and I have had my bag searched every time I have come through here. Etihad is a nice airline to fly and it's a shame that it is served through this sad excuse for an airport.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 13 January 2009 : by J Song

Customer Rating : 1/5

I had to go through this airport during my flight from KUL to DUB. Inbound at 8-45pm and outbound at 2-55am - horrible. It took me 30mins from bus to the terminal, and once the bus had set down, the crowd of people in the bus were lost - where was the exit? The alley used to enter the terminal was also used to go on board and there were no signs, dividers. We managed to find our way through by asking for directions to other passengers who were going onboard. As for the terminal itself, like all reviews below, avoid it at all costs. No seats, and if any very uncomfortable seats plus annoying announcements every minute - it gets more annoying if you can't find a place to sit. The duty free shops are a rip-off too. It takes 10 mins to get around the airport, and with its dome shape and tiles on the walls, the noise echoes throughout and with the announcements its a nightmare! The security checks were over- secured, and literally for every passenger they took about 5 mins to interview, asking why did you transit in AUH, why are you going there, how long did you stay in your destination etc.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 6 January 2009 : by Pasindu Karunaratne

Customer Rating : 1/5

I recently had to go through this airport on my way to CMB on QR and once again it was an utterly horrible experience. The airport was crowded and the smell of smoke was all around the airport. The seating is not enough for the volume of passengers it handles. Try to avoid AUH at all costs.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 31 December 2008 : by Alex Bell

Customer Rating : 2/5

Hanging around in any airport is to be avoided and in Abu Dhabi all the more so. It is a deeply boring place to have to spend any time, there being nothing much to do. The seating – what there is of it – is comfortable. The airport seems tiny. The mosaic dome makes a change, but it allows voices to echo, so is noisy. This is exacerbated by the continual – and I mean continual – announcements, which are also impossible to understand. There is a Costa so you can get a good cup of coffee and pay in £ if you wish. I didn’t particularly notice the smoke that so many people have complained of. Crowd control is southern, ie long queues and lengthy processes. The toilets are reasonably unpleasant. Shopping is very limited to the usual Duty Free fare of watches, perfumes, cigars and alcohol. There are no quiet places to sleep, so if you have an 8 hour stop-over during the night, as I did, you are going to have little fun. You can get a little sleep on the carpeted floor in the passages to the gates. All in all, an experience that is not recommended.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 30 November 2008 : by S Sharma

Customer Rating : 1/5

Etihad was a pleasant experience travelling between Sydney and Manchester, but the stopover in Abu Dhabi was a big disapointment. Had 2 hours to spend here in either direction and found the airport to be small, crowded, noisy and smelling of cigarette smoke. Finding a seat and getting comfortable was next to impossible and hearing the announcements over the humdrum was difficult too. Hopefully the new terminals and expansions will do justice to the airline that the airport serves.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 7 November 2008 : by T Vincent

Customer Rating : 1/5

I flew with Etihad from BRU to BKK with a 2 hours stopover in AUH. At first sight, I found the terminal quite original and nice (the green mosaic); but tiny and really overcrowded. The terminal is non smoking but this is theory as it smells cigarette smoke everywhere. In fact, there are smoking areas in bars but no smoke extractor so the whole terminal looks like a smoking room. Going from the 2nd floor to the 1st one using the stairs is hazardous as smoking is not prohibited in the piano bar between the 2 floors. Toilets are on the 1st floor. There look really old fashioned and are not so clean (lot of water on the ground). So what to do when you are in transit? There are 3 bars/snacks but it's almost impossible to find a seat. Prices for drinks are OK. Not so many duty free areas. Ideal for short stopovers as it takes only 5 minutes to go from one gate to another but probably the worst airport I've ever seen for people in transit. I expected much better for a city like Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 29 September 2008 : by Pasindu Karunaratne

Customer Rating : 1/5

I went through this airport a few weeks back on my way to London from Abu Dhabi on Qatar Airways, and to be honest it is one of the most disgusting airports I have been through. My flight was at around 11:30 pm and the airport was crowded, and finding a place to sit was out of the question. It is way too cramped, and crowded. It is a real shame that a fast developing country like the UAE does not have a decent airport to go through, it is not as if Dubai is any better.

ABU DHABI AIRPORT review : 2 September 2008 : by Steve Unsworth

Customer Rating : 2/5

I have travelled through Abu Dhabi between London and South East Asia several times over the last few months. A layover here is, as recorded elsewhere, deeply unpleasant when it is overcrowded (typically 10pm to 2am). Use Qatar or Emirates to their hubs rather than Etihad. The only good thing I have to report is that a critical comment left in their suggestion box, stimulated an e-mail apology and promise of better things post the completion of new facilities, which arrived before I got back home 12 hours later!