I took a taxi from the Grand Hyatt to the airport at around 9:30PM, plenty early for my 1:30AM flight to Kuala Lumpur. About a mile before we got to the actual terminal, there was a security check. They searched some cars, while others they let through after looking into the cars. In my case they asked to see my passport, and when they saw it was German, they waved us through.
Before entering the terminal, I had a bit of an odd exchange with the taxi driver. We agreed the price should be 25JOD before the ride, and I gave him 30JOD (since that’s the leftover currency I had).
“No tip?”
“You said it’s 25, and I gave you 30.”
“That’s okay.”
Uhhhh?
Anyway, the exterior of Amman Queen Alia Airport is beautiful.
Amman Airport exterior
There’s a full security check as soon as you enter the terminal, before even getting to check-in. Then there’s another passport check. Given that this is Royal Jordanian’s hub airport, I figured they’d continuously have check-in counters open, though it seems they have a different counter for every flight, and the one for Kuala Lumpur wasn’t yet open. I was informed it would open three hours before departure.
Amman Airport check-in hall
Fortunately I quickly realized that Royal Jordanian has a premium check-in facility, located at the far right of the terminal.
Royal Jordanian premium check-in Amman Airport
As you can see based on the signage, it’s available to business class passengers, as well as all oneworld elite members.
Royal Jordanian premium check-in Amman Airport
This area was really well done, and had sit-down check-in, couches, etc. When I walked in there actually wasn’t anyone visible. Only after I said “hello?” did someone emerge from a back room.
Royal Jordanian business class check-in Amman Airport
Royal Jordanian business class check-in Amman Airport
Royal Jordanian business class check-in Amman Airport
Within a minute I had my boarding pass to Kuala Lumpur, and was invited to use the dedicated premium security and immigration channel.
Business class immigration & security Amman Airport
This involved walking down a very long hallway along the window. Eventually I found myself at the immigration desk. The immigration officer seemed surprised to see me, as I imagine not a whole lot of people use this channel.
After that was a separate security channel, where once again they seemed startled when I approached. Apparently the actual security officers weren’t there, as they initially advised me to wait. But after waiting for a couple of minutes they took it upon themselves to screen me. I’m not sure they knew exactly what they were doing, as they struggled to use the baggage x-ray machine.
Walkway to business class immigration & security Amman Airport
Once through security I found myself in the heart of the airside terminal, right by the entrance to the lounge. Amman Airport really is beautiful, and also small and well designed. It reminds me a bit of the other major airports in the Middle East (like Doha and Dubai), except it isn’t nearly as big, so it’s actually easy and quick to navigate. I was surprised by how quiet everything was.
Amman Airport terminal
Like I said, the entrance to the Royal Jordanian lounge was just past the premium security checkpoint.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport signage
There was an elevator leading to the upper level, or otherwise you could take the stairs.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport entrance
Upon presenting my boarding pass I was given a Wi-Fi code for the lounge. I could never actually get it to work. Fortunately the airport’s Wi-Fi worked, though it was on the slow side.
The lounge was open air and one level above the main concourse, so you had a great view of the entire terminal from it.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport view
The lounge was massive, and spanned both sides of the terminal. Per Royal Jordanian’s website, here’s a map of the Crown Lounge:
First I checked out the left side of the lounge, nearest reception. This area seemed to be quietest, as the main food and drink area was on the other side of the lounge.
There was tons of seating (I’ll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves as far as that goes).
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Then there was a relaxation area with some daybeds (though no pillows or blankets).
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport relaxation area
There was a self serve drink area with coffee, soft drinks, water, etc.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport drink station
Then there was a bar with self serve wine.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport bar
There was also a small dining area with healthier options, including juice, while fruit, and sliced fruit salad.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport dining area
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport dining area
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport snacks
The fruit looked reasonably appetizing, and was significantly healthier than everything on the other side of the lounge.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport snacks
On the other side of the lounge, back near the entrance, was a massive TV that took up the whole wall. I’m not sure what exactly it was showing.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport massive monitor
Seating options were similar to what was available on the other side.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport seating
The exception was the private entertainment areas. Personally I’d rather they have private quiet areas than private areas with TVs, but that’s just me.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport private areas
There was also a bar with wine and liquor.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport bar
Then there was the main buffet.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
There were several types of packaged sandwiches and other assorted carbs.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
Then there was an area with individual servings of hummus.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
Then there was a make-your-own-salad area.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
Then the hot options consisted of three Jordanian delicacies — chicken fajitas, mozzarella sticks, and mini-potatoes. 😉
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
Then there was a selection of sweets.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport buffet
There was also another coffee machine, as well as soft drinks and bottled water.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman Airport coffee machine & soft drinks
My boarding pass indicated that boarding was scheduled to start at 12:30AM, a full hour before departure. Of course I wanted to be the first aboard so I could get pictures, so I decided to head to the gate at around 12:15AM.
My flight was departing from gate 106, just a short walk from the lounge. Royal Jordanian’s livery is gorgeous, in my opinion, in particular on the 787. It looked like they were just catering the plane as I arrived.
Royal Jordanian 787 taking me to Kuala Lumpur
Go figure the 12:30AM boarding time wasn’t accurate, as there wasn’t even a gate agent at that time. Instead the crew only slowly wandered up to the gate at 12:45AM.
There was some interesting people watching in the gate area. I’ve taken a lot of flights to/from the Middle East, so over the years I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting people on their pilgrimage. Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gate area with as many people on a pilgrimage as this… and that would lead to an interesting flight.
Finally at 1AM boarding started. While there wasn’t any sort of priority boarding (rather just a free-for-all), I was close enough to the gate so I could be among the first aboard.
Royal Jordanian Lounge Amman bottom line
Amman Airport impressed me, and might just be my favorite airport in the Middle East. It has a similar impressive design to Dubai and Doha, except it’s not nearly as big. The Royal Jordanian premium check-in is also really convenient, and they have a solid lounge. No, it’s not the most impressive lounge in the world, but the whole experience was more pleasant than I was expecting.
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