Amman Queen Alia Airport

We spent time in Queen Alia Airport in April 2004. The shopping area is clean and bright but limited in choice. The sitting areas are limited uncomfortable and not very clean. The toilets I found were smelly dirty and really unpleasant to use (Locks still broken.) Thankfully we were taken out of the airport to a hotel as our flight was delayed by about 6 hours. On our return the "checking in" procedure was chaotic. The one good thing I can say is that security is tight.

On our flight change from Amsterdam to Bangkok with Royal Jordanian Airlines we were forced to spend some hours on this airport. I must say this was not a pleasant stay because there is very little to do apart from the brightly illuminated small tax-free shopping area which looks OK. There is enough to see to spend some time. Outside the shopping area there is hardly any thing to do save for some coffee selling points a pizza counter and a France Delight counter where you should think twice to order something to eat or you must be starved in this case anything will help to fill your stomach. The only comfortable seating facilities are situated in front of the France Delight counter but with only about 30 chairs available you find yourself lucky to get a seat. The other places where you can seat are situated close to the gates but these are very uncomfortable and dirty. The local’s are disregarding the non-smoking signs and when you comment to their behaviour they just ignore you and keep on smoking. The male and ladies restrooms are incredible dirty and not well kept. Almost all locks on the doors are not functioning; at the washstand the soap dispensers are out of order you may dip your fingers in the soap containers which are open standing for this purpose on the sink. The faucets are not fixed and rotate in all directions allowed by their flexible connection to the water pipes and in one of the restrooms the electrical cable of the hand- drying unit was inadequately repaired. They just twisted the live wires together and did not insulate the connection thus very dangerous in this wet environment. Although we did spend our waiting time at night in the airport the coolest part of the day it was sticky hot. Our conclusion: Try to avoid this place if possible.

With regard to the shopping facilities I support earlier comments about the poor and limited range. In addition even though the prices of international goods appeared fair those of local Jordanian goods are ridiculously high. I noted a recent improvement in the catering facilities that of the Blue Fig counter. The young and very helpful female assistant was pleasant clear and very competent. The capuccino provided was excellent and the price comparable with other international Airports.

Queen Alia is a clean airport but lacks in shops and restaurants. The two terminals are identical making somewhat confusing between the arrivals and departures terminal. The airport is well known for delays that last five hours and Ihave been caught in them. When this happens staff are least helpful lines of people fill the airport and it is hectic.