Abu Dhabi Airport

Hot muggy 34 degrees at 2am in the morning and no Air conditioning. We felt like we were in a sauna. Plus I don't understand why we need to go through about 3 separate security points when on a connecting flight. 1 is fine but 3? We haven't left the airport we just got off the plane and we are going on a connecting flight and we were already screened at Heathrow which has very strict security protocols. The wifi is slower than dial up Internet. Terminal 1 is weird the whole place from floor to ceiling is tiled like a bathhouse no windows. Terminal 3 is better because it is modern with floor to ceiling glass so it feels open. I don't know what Abu Dhabi will do to improve their staff because they aren't friendly helpful.

Was impressed with the staff at T3 I have always found that a smile helps. I was treated with courtesy at all times - even passport control officer wished me a pleasant stay. Upon departure there was a long queue for economy check in and I was asked if I would like to check in on the First Class desk to save me waiting.

The airport is small overcrowded and needs improvement. The seating is limited. At some gates if you clear the security then you cannot use the restrooms! The air conditioning was barely adequate for the heat and the crowds. The signage is poor. The signs are parallel to the gates but one walks perpendicular to those signs. The staff were a bit gruff and impatient.

Passed through a couple of times - T1 to T3 connection and another connection within T3. 2 hour connections both ways so no problems. T1 is a crowded dump. Signage is poor in both terminals and T3 is a 10-minute walk. Transit Security seemed pretty disorganised but only took a few minutes. T3 had plenty Duty Free Shops with prices similar to DXB. Eating options were adequate and no problems finding toilets. Air conditioning was a bit brutal and there appeared to be plenty of cold people in the middle of the night. Biggest criticism for me were the dreadful flight information screens which are tiny and only covered departures up to 45 minutes ahead - you didn't know which gate to go to and the single information desk wasn't even manned. On balance I think I prefer AUH to DXB for a 2 hour transit - at least AUH is built on a human scale.

I have used this airport on a number of occssions but until recently did not see how bad it is. I usually go from the plane to the transit hotel to the lounge and then to the plane. But this time I was unfortunately travelling economy and experience the nightmare of Abu Dhabi - it is just a bad airport with staff not really knowing what they are doing saying "yes you can find a trolley around the corner" I nearly walked to London and did not find one. The transfer between terminals is a nightmare with no rationale between what you should do - and with the upgrading in Terminal One the problem is worse. And don't get me started on the rude staff who are the transit hotel. Avoid this airport for your sanity alone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.