Zayed International Airport, formerly Abu Dhabi International Airport, serves as the UAE’s second-largest aviation hub, welcoming over 20 million passengers annually. Located 30 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi’s city centre, this modern facility, dominated by Etihad Airways, offers travellers a smooth and efficient experience through its state-of-the-art Terminal A, which replaced older terminals in November 2023. With a capacity to handle 45 million passengers yearly and 79 aircraft at once, the airport is designed for convenience and comfort.
Accessing the airport is straightforward, with multiple transport options ensuring easy connections to the city and beyond. The Airport Express train links the terminal to central Abu Dhabi in just 15 minutes, providing a quick and cost-effective option. Public buses, such as routes A1, A2, and A10, run every 40 minutes around the clock, with fares around 4 AED (£1). Taxis are readily available, with a 20–30 minute ride to the city centre costing approximately 80–120 AED (£15–22). For those driving, parking facilities include short-stay and long-stay lots near Terminal A, with designated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility. The E10 highway directly connects the airport to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain, making road travel efficient.
The airport’s X-shaped Terminal A, spanning 780,000 square metres, is designed for ease of navigation. A central security checkpoint feeds into four piers (A, B, C, and D gates), with moving walkways reducing travel time to gates, which are never more than a short walk away. Check-in is streamlined with 26 desks, 14 biometric-enabled self-service kiosks, and a help desk for queries. The Smart Travel project, introduced in 2024, uses facial recognition to speed up boarding and security for select flights, with plans for full implementation by late 2025. Clear signage and a transfer services desk assist passengers moving through the terminal, while baggage claim areas are equipped with information screens and carts for convenience.
Dining options cater to a range of tastes, with over 160 food and beverage outlets across Terminal A. Travellers can enjoy quick bites at McDonald’s, Burger King, or Camden Food Co.
, or opt for sit-down meals at places like O’Learys SportsBar, Yum Cha for Asian cuisine, or Montreux Jazz Café. Local flavours are available at restaurants like Jaipur Indian Kitchen and Al Khayma Heritage House, offering traditional Emirati dishes. Retail is equally diverse, with 163 shops including duty-free outlets offering up to 30% savings on luxury brands like Gucci, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as local products such as dates and camel milk chocolate. The Galleria section features high-end cosmetics and fragrances, while WHSmith provides books, magazines, and snacks.
Facilities are comprehensive, enhancing passenger comfort. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, though connectivity can occasionally be inconsistent. Lounges, such as the Pearl Lounge near Gate D43, offer complimentary meals, premium drinks, showers, and quiet zones for a fee of around 210 AED (£38) for three hours, with access included for premium cabin passengers. Family amenities include baby changing rooms, children’s play areas, and accessible toilets. Prayer rooms, smoking lounges, and medical services are available 24/7, with Travelex currency exchange and ATMs conveniently located. The AUHotel within Terminal A and the nearby Premier Inn, accessible via a free shuttle, provide rest options for transit passengers, though sleeping pods are currently non-functional.
On-time performance is strong, with over 85% of connections completed within an hour, supported by dynamic gate management and advanced technology. However, potential delays may arise from peak-hour congestion at security, particularly during busy travel seasons, or from technical issues with biometric systems still being refined. Weather disruptions, such as heavy rain or sandstorms, can occasionally affect flights, as can airline-specific issues like crew scheduling or aircraft maintenance. Passengers are advised to arrive three hours early for international flights to account for these factors and to check security requirements, such as baggage restrictions, in advance.
Connections at Zayed International are efficient, with minimum connection times of 45 minutes for most flights and 85 minutes for USA-bound routes, which benefit from USA Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility, similar to Dublin and Shannon and unique to the region, allowing passengers to bypass immigration upon arrival in the USA Terminal A’s design and free shuttle buses between gates ensure smooth transfers, though passengers with tight connections should verify gate locations and allow 15–20 minutes to reach boarding areas. Those needing to collect and recheck luggage should plan for at least two hours to clear customs and check-in processes.
For Dublin, Etihad Airways operates dedicated counters in Terminal A (e.g., zones for economy/business, counters 1-50). Check-in opens 4 hours before departure; closes 60 minutes prior (45 for premium). Self-service kiosks and home/city check-in available 24-5 hours prior. Departure Gates are Gates 1-10 or remote stands in Terminal A (e.g., A1-A7 for international). Gates are displayed on screens; for EU flights like Ireland, commonly gates 3-6. Boarding starts 30-45 minutes before; gates close 15-20 minutes prior. Transfer desks are available for connections.
