Dubai Airport

Signs were very clear, seats and terminals were modestly clean but most of all, staff were helpful and very efficient. Sure, Dubai isn't perfect and not everyone likes running from one huge concourse to another. My transit was within the same concourse so I have no complaints. As the world's busiest international hub, kudos to each and every staff in making sure this airport runs smoothly.

Transit both ways. Very busy airport but seemed to handle the masses well enough. I always find it a pain with security checks for transit passengers, only thing to do is grin and bare it. I've found the prices at Dubai duty free to have steadily increased over the past few years, not many bargains to be found. Used the Marhaba lounge on the way back as we had a 5 hour connection time. Found it very busy between 04.00 and 07.00 but still better than killing time walking aimlessly around. I read in the Gulf News that Dubai is going to be a smoke free airport within a month or two, so if you smoke give up or find another airport to transfer through.

Such a shame that when flying with Emirates you always need to transit in Dubai. Rows and rows of shops, very few restaurants and virtually impossible to get a drink. Then a very long bus ride out to the aircraft, why is this necessary at a modern airport?

Dubai Airport has been a regular haunt for me over the past couple of years on business for being in transit - it definitely depends on the time of the day whether it is a good experience or a poor one. Early morning between 1am and 4am seems busiest - no seats, long queues for limited amounts of toilets (who builds a massive new terminal and puts toilet facilities along the concourse with only 4/5 cubicles?) and long queues for security. Mostly I find myself running off one flight, barging past people and cutting in the security check queue to actually make it to the connected flight - stressful to say the least, but if you are there lunchtime/early afternoon it can be a very different experience with limited issues and some smiley staff. Emirates provide a great service from the UK so will continue to battle on.

I had requested 'special assistance' and for both arrival and departure at Dubai Airport and it was immaculately provided. On arrival we were parked off terminal and so an elevated carrier was waiting, took both (my fit wife and myself) on a 15 minute ride to the terminal were another helper was waiting. He took us through first class immigration where, for a change, the immigration officer was smiling and chatty, to baggage reclaim where he insisted on retrieving our cases - "because they are too heavy for you madam" - then pushed me all the way to the car park even though our son was waiting at the terminal. On departure the porter took us to a special check-in very close to the airport entrance where a wheelchair was waiting and again we went through staff / first class immigration and security, again with pleasant smiling staff to a separate lounge, where he even wheeled me round to get a coffee and a sandwich followed by a long walk to the gate, bridge and aircraft door. Superb service to counter some of the complaints about this airport.

A big airport, it's not pretty. But the shops are ok, limited variety of products, only few brands, with high prices! Necessaries, not well maintained (rest rooms). And for a "world class" airport, I had to take a bus to go to your plane and walk on steep staircases!

We are actually paying to use this facility through our airline ticket fees and the overwhelming feeling as a user is that you are not welcome. We can all be impressed with the architectural grandeur but that is best looked at in magazines not in reality as a passenger. Yes, despite all the marble, chrome and lofty glass walls what you get is total indifference from staff (and that includes cafes, airline staff, customer service desks etc) and bus rides to and/or from planes that can no longer get to the terminal (and we are talking 10-15 minutes rides plus additional waiting in queues, standing on buses, climbing stairs outdoors in the heat and dust etc). I can't blame the staff they are just overwhelmed with passengers and understaffed. We used the terminal 3 times this month and it is a place we will be avoiding whatever the cost. Toilets - too few, too small and totally unable to cater for the demand, impossible to use without having to queue for up to 10 minutes for a cubicle, M or F. Attendants cannot keep up with constant cleaning. Local airline kindly provided us with a "Meal Voucher" as our last visit was a 4 hr transit, unfortunately the "meal" consisted of 1/3 of a bread roll and a black coffee with a very firm policy of take it or leave it and buy something yourself (which we had to do). Airline is still sitting on our complaint after 2 days so I am not hopeful of any change to their policy. On the positive side the Customs/Immigration were very professional, friendly and handled the crowds very efficiently.

I had high expectations of Dubai Airport. Airport is extremely big, so walking from terminal A to C can take up to 30 minutes. There are many duty free shops and restaurants. Toilets can be found everywhere and also tap water widely available. People working at the airport were okay, not extremely friendly but a smile can make everything better. However, the seats in front of the gates are often occupied, so you have to walk around the terminal to find a comfortable seat. WiFi is only free for 1 hour. After that, you have to pay.

The sight of hundreds of people queuing at immigration and then massed at security was daunting. It wasn't a pleasant experience, and unfriendly staff made matters worse. Having said that, the queues did move quite quickly. But then I found myself funneled onto a train heading for D gates with no idea what my departure gate was. When everything else in Dubai appears to run smoothly, the airport experience on departure is a nasty surprise.

This review applies to Terminal 3 - Emirates. Overall a good airport. Professionally run, good orientation, reasonably priced, well-connected to street and Metro. T3 is very spacious, resulting in enormous walking distances (golf cart available at no cost) IS. Food: Ok, large choice on offer and prices acceptable. Cleanliness: Ok. Could be better, but considering the footfall, its ok. Check in: Good. Passport control: Ok. Staffing not very flexible – arriving in rush hour causes long queue. Most staff friendly. E-Gate often not operational. Security check: Ok. Parking: Sufficient parking available, close to terminals, but high prices and confusing signage. Sufficient drop-off / pick-up zones. Public transport: Good. Train within terminal, metro station at Airport. Sufficient Taxis – but staff promote costly VIP taxis. Good road connections.