In late 2023, we saw the opening of the gorgeous Terminal A at Abu Dhabi International Airport (now referred to as Zayed International Airport). Passenger operations have moved to this new terminal, and it’s a massive improvement to the passenger experience, especially with the new Etihad First Lounge and Etihad Business Lounge.
However, there was initially one major snag with the new terminal, which involved the US Preclearance situation, which was still based in the old terminal. There’s now a positive update, as the new facility has opened, which should make flights bound for the United States much easier. Let’s cover the details.
In this post:
The basics of Abu Dhabi’s US Preclearance facility
A decade ago (in 2014), a US Preclearance facility opened at Abu Dhabi International Airport. For those not familiar with the concept, the idea is that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are based at the foreign airport, and conduct immigration formalities before passengers board their flight to the United States.
This serves a couple of main purposes:
- It’s intended to increase security, since passengers are screened for their eligibility to enter the United States prior to flying, rather than after
- Airlines market it as a benefit for passengers, since you land in the United States as a domestic passenger, meaning you have an easier experience on arrival
Personally I don’t love the concept of US Preclearance facilities for a couple of reasons. For one, for those of us with Global Entry, clearing immigration on arrival actually isn’t much of a hassle at all. Furthermore, these US Preclearance facilities can lead to flight delays, since you have to wait for all passengers to be screened before departing.
Anyway, the US Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi was less than ideal after Etihad switched terminals. While Etihad uses Terminal A for its flights, the US Preclearance facility was until recently located in Terminal 3.
So the procedure was that passengers had to take a bus from Terminal A to Terminal 3, making for a much less pleasant pre-departure experience. The airline even advised passengers to arrive at the airport four hours early to complete all of this. Fortunately this process has now been simplified…
Abu Dhabi US Preclearance moves to Terminal A
As of late October 2024, Etihad has moved its US Preclearance facility from Terminal 3 to Terminal A. Etihad is still advising passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure, and to head to the Preclearance facility two hours before departure, unless you’re in a premium cabin, in which 90 minutes is recommended. The facility closes an hour before departure.
Now, that’s the official claim, but I wouldn’t read too much into it. Etihad’s minimum connection time remains 90 minutes for US-bound flights, so I wouldn’t be too worried if you arrive at the airport a bit over two hours before departure (even if not in a premium cabin). However, I wouldn’t cut it much closer than that.
For those curious about the location of the new facility, it’s located within Terminal A, at the end of Pier C. Below is a terminal map, just to give you a sense of what that looks like.
It’s my understanding that Etihad plans to introduce a special premium lounge for first and business class passengers within the US Preclearance facility, just as there previously was. That’s because people are told to clear immigration early, so it’s nice to have somewhere comfortable to sit, rather than just being in the gate area. However, it’s not quite open yet, and I haven’t heard a timeline for when it will open.
Here’s how Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves describes the move:
“This milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as the most convenient gateway to the United States for travellers from across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Asia, and we are proud to offer our guests this unparalleled experience. With all Etihad flights now pre-clearing in Abu Dhabi, our guests can bypass arrival queues and, if connecting within the US, enjoy seamless transfers with minimal connection times through our partner airlines. Our guests consistently tell us they value the efficiency and security that clearing customs before they arrive in the US affords them, and this is one of the many reasons they choose Etihad.”
“We are grateful to our partners at Abu Dhabi Airports and US Customs and Border Protection who have enabled the opening of Zayed International Airport’s new US Preclearance facility.”
Bottom line
In late 2023, Etihad moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal A at Abu Dhabi Airport. While this has been fantastic for the most part, the catch is that the US Preclearance facility didn’t initially move. That has finally changed, meaning that US-bound passengers can now clear immigration in Terminal A, rather than having to take a bus to a different terminal. This is a great development.
What do you make of Etihad’s US Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi?
I just flew through the new facility and it was such a a breeze. No more long wait lines at O'Hare or JFK. You just zip by security in Abu Dhabi, the new terminal is more like a local small terminal within . There is a bar, restaurant and nice bathrooms.
We were one of the first according to the agents to go through it.
Your whine about pre-clearance potentially creating flight delays is seriously off the mark. Why? Because that's the reason the one hour cut-off prior to departure was instigated. And it works! Never had a flight delay in 80+ flights thus far. Pre-clearance is the best thing to happen to me as a frequent traveller since sliced bread was invented. Do try and stretch yourself by looking at these things from the perspective of someone...who is not yourself.
are all of EY's departures going to be from preclearance now? last I heard, before the preclearance opening, EY's 2-3 am departure bank, including the A380 flight to JFK, operated without preclearance
I took this flight last week and went through preclearance.
Good to know... this time last year I flew the route and there was no preclearance. Thanks
Come on. All I need is AMS, CDG, SYD, AKL, BNE, and MEL. Why punish CBP agents to live in Dubai?
It is Abu Dhabi, but I don't think anything prevents them from living in Dubai.
I’m sure they get paid very nicely for the posting.
The statement "for those with Global Entry, clearing immigration on arrival actually isn’t much of a hassle at all", has a major exception at present that CBP wants to see become the rule within the US - Seattle.
At Seattle, one has to collect their checked bags *before* immigration, thus requiring baggage handling be completed first instead of in parallel (which is the case normally).
The delay involved impacts *all* passengers with checked baggage...
The statement "for those with Global Entry, clearing immigration on arrival actually isn’t much of a hassle at all", has a major exception at present that CBP wants to see become the rule within the US - Seattle.
At Seattle, one has to collect their checked bags *before* immigration, thus requiring baggage handling be completed first instead of in parallel (which is the case normally).
The delay involved impacts *all* passengers with checked baggage regardless of whether or not they're Global Entry members.
Seattle is not alone.
I was here just yesterday. Very smooth experience although it was a bit of a walk. They managed everything well and I got through in less than 20 minutes although I think it might have been a light time at the airport.
But if you already have Global Entry, Pre-Clearance shouldn't affect you too much right since you can also do that at AUH. Additionally, the point about delays isn't that important IMO, since it isn't that often, and can easily be rectified with more agents, or earlier reporting times.
For the vast majority of pax without GE, Pre-Clearance is an absolute godsend, as you get way less waiting, especially at the end of what is often...
But if you already have Global Entry, Pre-Clearance shouldn't affect you too much right since you can also do that at AUH. Additionally, the point about delays isn't that important IMO, since it isn't that often, and can easily be rectified with more agents, or earlier reporting times.
For the vast majority of pax without GE, Pre-Clearance is an absolute godsend, as you get way less waiting, especially at the end of what is often a long flight in Economy. Additionally, even for those with GE, you have to agree that if you're connecting to your final destination, Pre-Clearance makes things a lot faster for you.
Godsent indeed. 20 min wait at departure when you are rested versus three hour wait on arrival when you are tired. Major advantage.
It's because of pre-clearance that travelling via Dublin is the ONLY way I'd fly to the USA from Europe.
You make a good point about Global Entry, though with the flight landing on the domestic side, does that also mean the end of long walks through secure corridors before you can meet CBP, your bags, and later other connecting passengers? Perhaps avoiding miles of hallways is worth some delay on the departure. (which is already guaranteed for US-bound flights)
Also, if passengers are technically in the US after you've passed Preclearance, is this something...
You make a good point about Global Entry, though with the flight landing on the domestic side, does that also mean the end of long walks through secure corridors before you can meet CBP, your bags, and later other connecting passengers? Perhaps avoiding miles of hallways is worth some delay on the departure. (which is already guaranteed for US-bound flights)
Also, if passengers are technically in the US after you've passed Preclearance, is this something that should be taken into consideration for expats visiting family in the US who have maximum presence tax implications for the Foreign-Earned Income Exclusion?
The US airport arrival experience is indeed just like a domestic arrival; no long schleps to Immigration and Customs. I've arrived twice at CLT from DUB and was able to walk directly from the gate to my ride home. I've also landed at PHL from BDA and proceeded directly from the aircraft to the gate for my flight to CLT. In all cases I had only carry-on luggage. (Both DUB and BDA have US Preclearance facilities. )
I wish and hope countries stop allowing the US special treatment with this preclearance program. Maybe shore up our own airports instead?
Speak for yourself.
To begin with, Americans don't benefit from those. Foreigners do. The US is GIVING special treatment to other countries.
If you want the US Preclearance to cease its existence, just make the US immigration more simpler.
But of course no one's gonna do that.
So suck it.
It also helps to prevent and potential bad actors to reach American soil in the first place. Screen them in advance and prevent them from boarding rather than to having to deport and put them on the next flight out back to their origin.
@Mike O.
It is highly naive to think that being the case. Any so called "bad actors" would either be caught in the ESTA and visa process or generally have no problem travelling at all.
Airport and pre clearance screening will basically only catch people who do not have their paperwork in order. But any "bad actors" would probably be quite sure to have their basic paperwork settled correctly.
Though I am sure...
@Mike O.
It is highly naive to think that being the case. Any so called "bad actors" would either be caught in the ESTA and visa process or generally have no problem travelling at all.
Airport and pre clearance screening will basically only catch people who do not have their paperwork in order. But any "bad actors" would probably be quite sure to have their basic paperwork settled correctly.
Though I am sure the US government likes to pretend that pretend it is all to catch the "bad actors"
Your name says it all.
Authors dislike of USPC because “for those with Global Entry, clearing immigration on arrival actually isn’t much of a hassle at all.” is relating only a small fraction of the aircraft having access ti the facility. Their problem? What happens when they all sign up eventually … queues. “Furthermore, these US Preclearance facilities can lead to flight delays, since you have to wait for all passengers to be screened before departing.” Very rare. Less than...
Authors dislike of USPC because “for those with Global Entry, clearing immigration on arrival actually isn’t much of a hassle at all.” is relating only a small fraction of the aircraft having access ti the facility. Their problem? What happens when they all sign up eventually … queues. “Furthermore, these US Preclearance facilities can lead to flight delays, since you have to wait for all passengers to be screened before departing.” Very rare. Less than any other type of delay (loading last bags/cargo, dispatch, crew checks, ect…). Very used to Ireland’s facilities and they are a godsend compared to arriving at US airports with some of the worst arrival facilities and staffing on earth.
With Etihad moving to JFKs new Terminal One once it opens, does that mean that the terminal won't completely be an international terminal possibly making way for another domestic carrier such as UA if they were to return?
https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2022/07/13/air-france-etihad-and-lot-named-as-anchor-airlines-of-forthcoming-jfk-new-terminal-one/#google_vignette
Does being a completely international terminal stop UA from using T1? T4 is a hybrid and it was the former international terminal. Departure level of an airport in the US should be the same regardless of whether there are only domestic, only international, or both types of flights.
The departures level is irrelevant, but what about arrivals where all the carousels are sterile? Will there be an X number of carousels that don't lead to customs and maybe pave the way for domestic flights? That what I've been wondering especially that Etihad preclears in Abu Dhabi and lands in the U.S. as a domestic flight.
Another thing I've been wondering is if all the carousels at the TBIT @ LAX are also sterile?
Almost all gates at TBIT are dual use gates. The doors near the jetbridge can be opened or closed allowing arriving passengers to go downstairs to enter the sterile corridor to the FIS (Federal Inspection Service) facility (aka immigration and customs) or have arriving passengers go directly into the departures level, which is what is used for domestic arrivals.
Allegiant, Breeze Airways, and Hawaiian Airline (and maybe a few others) use TBIT for domestic...
Almost all gates at TBIT are dual use gates. The doors near the jetbridge can be opened or closed allowing arriving passengers to go downstairs to enter the sterile corridor to the FIS (Federal Inspection Service) facility (aka immigration and customs) or have arriving passengers go directly into the departures level, which is what is used for domestic arrivals.
Allegiant, Breeze Airways, and Hawaiian Airline (and maybe a few others) use TBIT for domestic arrivals at LAX. American Airlines also sometimes uses TBIT for domestic arrivals as overflow.
The new terminal at JFK would have to have dual-use gates as well. For the same reasons as above.
What about baggage claim, how would that work if TBITs baggage claim is completely sterile? Unless there's a number of carousels that are not completely sealed off or you'll have to pick up your bags at the airline's respective terminal?
At JFKs Terminal 7, the gates are dual use where domestic flights lead you to departures and there's a carousel or two that's not sterile.
The AUH website must be the only one of a major airport in the world without a terminal map. It’s bizarre as there doesn’t appear to be one.
I wish that were true. I've been stymied more than once when trying to find a terminal map on an airport's official site. CAI is the most recent example. You can find CAI's vision and mission statements on their website; not exactly what traveler's need.
I must admit I didn't even think of a map when transiting AUH earlier this year, as signage was really clear.