During my current wild review trip, I had the chance to check out Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal A. This is Abu Dhabi’s new terminal, which opened as of November 2023, and it’s an exciting addition, as the home of Etihad Airways.
Continue reading: Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal A: Etihad’s Gorgeous New Home
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Terminal 3 isn’t completely closed, since the US Preclearance facility is still there and several US-bound flights leave from there. I’m not sure if or when this will move to the new terminal.
Once the U.S. pre-clearance facility moves to Terminal A, I will give this terminal a hard pass. A pre-clearance facility means having to leave the lounge early to deal with security where there is typically chaos, long lines, and no premium option. Then one has to wait at the gate where there is never enough seating. Even with increasing Global Entry lines in the USA, clearance on the U.S. side is always preferable.
How do U.S. flights work? I thought they bused people from Gate F to pre clearance in Terminal 3? any insight?
I was just there on Sunday, and what I loved about it was that the architecture and overall design was stunning without being ostentatious. It didn't need a yellow teddy bear or anything like that. For the Middle East, I found it elegant and restrained in the best way.
That's correct you have to allow extra time for this and arrive early to airport. For the moment they only offer pre-clearance to 2 US flights (EY101 to JFK and EY131 to IAD) until they make the move to Terminal A. Those 2 flights get their bags tagged to final destination and get treatdd as a domestic flight on arrival to USA. All the other flights have to go through immigration on arrival to US and collect luggage, re-check, potentially go back through security, etc.
According to authorities by August next year
And transit hotel opening in first half of 2024
I have literally blacklisted Etihad because of the remote stand situation. Is this now 100% fixed?
It’s ridiculous when there are 100s of high end designer stores like Doha which each time I’ve been are mostly empty, and few shops for regular people who make up the majority. It’s mostly show. The perfumery above the garden at DOH had dozens of staff last time, and about 3 customers.
You need to do a review of BLR (Bengaluru) new Terminal 2 the garden terminal. Supposed to rival Singapore and new Doha.
Did you stay in Abu Dhabi? I have a trip coming up soon that includes a stopover in Abu Dhabi but I'm wondering if its safe to go. Idk how sentiment in Abu Dhabi is towards people from the US given all that's going on with the war in Israel...
Yes, I stayed at the St. Regis. I had this trip booked several weeks ago (mainly to experience Ethiad A380 Residence), but canceled because I was also concerned about the sentiment toward US citizens (and especially, American Jews like me) . Once the cease fire began I started looking for reward seats again and was lucky enough to find a seat again using AA miles for late last week and decided to go. I stayed at the St. Regis for 2 nights and went off property for a walk once. So other than 2 cab drivers and the St. Regis staff, I didnt interact with anyone else. Although my interactions were limited, I did not feel any hostility or anything like that.
.
@Scott: Why do you have to Bring out "I am a Jew". No special treatment for you because you are one or you are NOT a "Victim" in this article.you had a good time,so let's leave it at that.
You obviously haven't been to ORD's terminal 5 enough if you are complaining about space for lounges hahahaha
The transit hotel is indeed in the “orb-shaped buildings” that separate landside from airside.
I actually saw Ben walking through the business lounge. I was at the new Jeddah terminal earlier in the day, so possibly crossed paths there as well.
The new lounges at AUH are indeed an afterthought by the architects. The narrow, multi-level space is going to have numerous bottlenecks, especially at the top level bar.
And, there’s a surprising lack of windows, the result of an over designed terminal facade. Same for most gates. Minimal views to the airfield.
Hi Matt, but in terms of lounge access. Can I visit the new lounge and then make my way over to the other terminal or how does it work?
Etihad and that airport just left a horrible taste in my mouth. The new addition looks nice, but I am incredibly skeptical it will stand the test of time like HKG, and BKK have in my opinion.
I will pass on this new thing for the time being.
The U.S. pre clearance just did not do it for me, and next time I will just clear it at home.
The letters and numbers have always confused me at Frankfurt. I’m prob the only one! Haha
No family lane for non gcc/ non business residents returning to the country, so it is very slow going through passport control and the old airport was much quicker and more efficient.
There are two 'buildings' under the main roof located between check in and the departure lounge. One is an office building and the other a transit hotel which is not as yet open.
I worked on the design of this,,,, in 2011. Absolutely wild it's only opened now and I imagine it's quite different to what we designed starting in 2009. Looks epic and the overall sweeping nature of it remains but not sure those lounges are as intended.
I, like Harrison to whom I was responding, had concerns about traveling to the Middle East. I was merely explaining my concerns for traveling to the region at that time. I don't feel victimized, nor did I express that in my comments. There is no reason to dictate to me what I should write or how I should feel.
No. I flew into AUH last week and noted several planes boarding from remote stands. It appears not all gates are opened at this time, as construction barriers were still there in the terminal where our flight deplaned.
Is the walking between the gates a bit too much for aged passengers? And how frequent are the electric carts to Gerry passengers? There's not clearly defined priority queue for the electric carts so theres always a rush for getting in one.
And the check in counters, although plentiful in number, are scarcely staffed and are always crowded. They take a hell of a lot of time to clear people. When one flight operater has flights heading to multiple locations, they don't open multiple counters as per demand, instead they usher in the passengers who feel it's enough to arrive 30 mins before flight departure hence de-prioritizing the people already in the queue.
What is the point of all those shops and lounges when the distance from the longue and gate is almost 1 km ?? No one is going to have the feeling to shop nor the time to stop before departure.
Still a long way to go before elder people feel comfortable traveling in this airport.
I still stand by what I think, this airport is brand new, 5 years ago.
How is USA pre clearance handled at the new terminal. Haven't seen any reviews of that.
My sister-in-law connected at AUH last night. While she liked the airport she said WiFi was very spotty and choppy.
I transited thru new AbuDhabi airport twice. It's called Terminal A rather than airport. (There's no other operational terminal at present). This is a little strange. Main Central hub is quite impressive in terms of architecture rather than scale. All waiting areas, and seatings are reasonably comfortable and more than adequate. Only thing lacking is is any reclining or sleeping chairs. Gates names and numbering is confusing at best. Sign posting need to be improved to specify which gate numbers are located in each Gates labelled from AtoF.
i am on transit from abudhabi from terminal a …can you pls tell me the distance between terminal 1 and terminal a
I shall be doing a transit thought Abi Dhabi, flying in from Istanbul with Ethad and connecting with another Ethad flight to Kuala Lumpa.
What would be the transfer distance or times any one know please..
Arrivals floor, turn right from the arrivals doors and go all the way to the end of the terminal. It's near the kiosk selling bus tickets to Dubai
When we flew from AUH to JFK, they had to shuttle a bus from the terminal to an older one (not sure which, but it was a 10 to 15 minute bus ride away). You have to go through a security check again and then there's a hall for US immigrations.
The transit hotel, the AU Hotel, is now open and located airside in terminal A. I know this because I am looking to book and it is finally showing on Booking.com. Rooms appear small, but functional and they offer stay options of between 12 and 24 hours.
Waiting to see this New Airport of Abu Dhabi under Name of Great pioneer leadership and founder of UAE LATE HH ZAYED BIN AL NAYAN .
Salute for his leadership I live work in this beautiful country where there care people in love and harmony and the Present President and Ruler of UAE and ABU DHABI HH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN he is one of the unique leader who will take UAE and Abu Dhabi to next level he is leader of unity he respects all religious and the people who work there too I pray to GOD
God bless UAE AND ABU DHABI AND THEIR LEADERS .
Hello! Our flight only 1-25h conecting time. is it enough change the gates in terminal A? without checked baggage. Thank you!!
They say whole transfer can be completed in 15 minutes if you fly with Etihad Airways. I think it is valid for every company. See this page for the procedure: https://www.etihad.com/en/fly-etihad/airport-information/terminal-a-experience