Our Review of Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Our Review of Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

Pros and Cons of Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

Pros:

• State-of-the-Art Technology: The airport is pioneering a fully “document-free” and biometric-driven travel experience, aiming to eliminate queues and speed up every step from check-in to boarding, using facial recognition and AI for seamless processing.
• World-Class Arrival Experience: Recognized as “Best Airport at Arrivals Globally” by ACI World, the airport is praised for efficient, comfortable, and welcoming arrival procedures.
• Excellent Connectivity: A new Airport Express train connects the terminal to downtown Abu Dhabi in just 15 minutes, making city access faster than in many other major hubs.
• Modern Facilities and Amenities: The terminal offers spacious interiors, extensive duty-free shopping, diverse dining options, lounges, family rooms, and business facilities.
• Efficient Transfers: With advanced technology and dynamic gate management, the airport promises rapid connection times—potentially as fast as 30 minutes gate-to-gate for transfers.

Cons:

• Potential Technical Glitches: As with any major technology rollout, there is a risk of system failures or bugs in the biometric and document-free processes, which could cause delays if not managed well.
• Overcrowding at Peak Times: Despite its size, the airport can become crowded during busy periods, leading to longer waits at security or immigration, especially if technology is not fully optimized.
• Dependence on Digital Infrastructure: Travelers may face difficulties if they are not comfortable with or cannot use biometric systems, or if there are issues with digital identity verification.
• Occasional Staff Inconsistency: Some passenger reviews mention occasional lapses in staff professionalism or service, particularly during high-stress situations or peak hours.
• Limited Testing Under Full Load: The full impact and reliability of the new document-free system will only become clear once the terminal is handling the maximum capacity of international passengers, so initial hiccups are possible.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Location and Overview

Zayed International Airport (IATA: AUH), formerly known as Abu Dhabi International Airport, is the main gateway to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Located about 30 kilometers east of downtown Abu Dhabi, it serves as a major hub for Etihad Airways and connects travelers to over 125 destinations worldwide.

Terminal Layout and Facilities

Since November 2023, all passenger flights operate from the new Terminal A (formerly the Midfield Terminal). This state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest airport terminals in the world, covering 780,000 square meters and capable of handling up to 45 million passengers annually, with a peak capacity of 11,000 passengers per hour and 79 aircraft at once. The terminal features:

• Modern architecture and spacious interiors
• 163 retail and dining outlets
• Extensive duty-free shopping
• Lounges for premium passengers
• Family rooms, prayer rooms, and business facilities
• Biometric technology for faster check-in and boarding

Transportation and Connectivity

Zayed International Airport is well-connected to the city and beyond:

• Taxis: Available 24/7 outside the terminal. Fares to central Abu Dhabi are around 80–120 AED (approx. 20–30 USD).
• Buses: Frequent public buses (A1, A2, A10) connect the airport to the city center, Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island. Fares are about 4 AED per trip.
• Car Rental: Major international and local car rental companies have desks at Terminal A.
• Private Transfers: Pre-booked vehicles and luxury options are available for added comfort.

Check-In and Security

The airport offers a streamlined passenger experience with:

• Self-service kiosks and baggage drop
• Biometric check-in and e-gates for faster processing
• Smart Travel Project: Aims to make Zayed International the world’s first document-free airport by the end of 2025, using biometrics for every step of the journey3.

Passenger Experience and Services

Zayed International Airport is recognized for its cleanliness, efficiency, and passenger-friendly amenities. Recent upgrades have focused on operational resilience, including runway rehabilitation and the introduction of a US Customs and Border Protection facility—the only one of its kind in the Middle East and Asia—for travelers to the US.

Practical Tips

• Best Time to Visit: October to April offers cooler weather and more comfortable travel.
• Dress Code: Modest dress is appreciated, especially when visiting religious sites.
• Safety: The airport is known for its safety and cleanliness, making it welcoming for families and solo travelers alike.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, though connectivity can occasionally be inconsistent.

Recent Growth and Future Plans

In 2024, the airport welcomed a record 29.4 million passengers, a 28% increase from the previous year, driven by new airlines and expanded routes. Ongoing expansion plans include a third runway and enhanced cargo facilities, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Abu Dhabi Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Abu Dhabi Airport (last month)