Beirut Airport

You queue for a long time to go through the first security. I had only carry-on bags so I did not need to approach the check-in desks. Then you make your way to the "Ticket Check" counter where two desks were available and the queues were long. Then you discover that they do not accept online check-in printed boarding cards. So, you return to the check-in counter and push to the front to get a boarding card, a business line was non-existent. Then back to the "Ticket Check" counter, push to the front. Then join the throng at passport control. Processing was slow. Then to the gate, but no! Another security check. I will try to avoid this airport in the future.

Something has to be done about the inefficiencies and nonsense at Beirut airport. We absolutely dread going through it and can hardly wait until we leave next year. There are endless security lines which wouldn't be so bad if they were orderly. Then there's the Passport Control line. My husband and I have flown into and out of dozens and dozens of airports around the world and never have we endured such slow lines. What on earth are they doing that takes so long? And again Lebanese cut in front so by the time we are through these lines we are so annoyed that we refuse to even consider looking or shopping in any of the stores. As far as food services its almost non-existent.

The best airport in my opinion or at least my favourite. The terminal building is wide and spacious divided into two wings. The personnel are professional helpful eloquent and proficient in foreign languages. Unlike many airports in the world the duty-free area is not an aggressive maze you're virtually forced to enter on your way to the gates it is a very discreet area but that offers an extensive choice of virtually everything. A seamless experience. There is also a small Arabian sweets stand at the entrance of the duty free area after the passport-exit control. Classical music is played inside the terminal. Security? Was so quick that I don't remember passing it which in the other airports makes you not to want to travel by plane again in the next few months. (Same for immigration on arrival can only remember the friendly officers.) There is Wi-Fi around the terminal although it wasn't completely functional the last time i travelled. Finally the gates area is a delight with carpets comfortable seating and windows offering complete view of the apron and the runways. Again the indirect lightning is so pleasant! Another small but important detail you could find electrical sockets everywhere (which are virtually non-existent in places such as Istanbul Ataturk). All in all there can't be a better way to enter/depart Lebanon.

DXB-BEY. Small airport. Limited facilities. Rude attendants and airport stuff. Bad impression of Lebanon. Boarding screens out of service. Check-in queue was very slow. Boarding chaotic on Emirates A345 they could have use double airbridge but only used one. Very disappointed. Damascus Airport is much better.

Arriving from SHJ BEY was a very pleasant surprise. Clean and very well organized polite staff with excellent level of foreign languages. I highly appreciated the presence of old trolleys not requiring a handle to be pushed for moving them considering the latest innovation present at most airports today everything but useful.

Arrived in late evening from LHR. Immigration a smooth operation and bags came relatively quickly. Arrivals Hall no obvious sign of a Bank to change money which was in fact up stairs in the Departure Lounge. Similar story on the way back with very little delay in being processed. Airport has recently been modernized and upgraded to allow for most flights to depart from a pier rather than a remote terminal. A reasonable range of Duty Free shops with the usual collection of watches and alcohol and a couple of small souvenir shops. Much smaller than a lot of other Middle Eastern Airports but good all the same.

Clean and modern airport. The duty free is OK and the business lounge good with a decent selection of snacks. Wifi is available in most areas.

Very clean and modern airport with adequate shopping and F&B facilities. Fast throughput and friendly staff (except security). Only criticism would be that immigration is exceedingly slow.

Beirut International Airport is more than capable of handling the influx of visitors this summer. With the recent opening of the western wing of the airport it now has a total of 24 gates which means it can accommodate 24 planes at a time. The opening of this wing has increased to 40 the number of passport security counters. Obstacles in the air transport sector had been lifted in an effort to boost tourism and as of this year private charter airlines are allowed to operate from Beirut. The Lebanese government has licensed 11 Lebanese-based companies as passenger charter carriers. These new charters will work with Lebanese tour operators but will fly routes on which MEA does not operate. I am sure the industry can carry the weight of competition. A total of 45 airlines now operate out of the BIA the newest one from the Gulf including Oman Air. The fact that most visitors can buy a tourist visa on arrival at the airport is added incentive to travel to Lebanon. Visas are granted for up to a year and a return ticket is now no longer needed to enter.