Welcome to Abu Dhabi, we’re heading to the city’s recently renamed Zayed International Airport, specifically Terminal A. Funny thing—there’s no Terminal B, and actually, no other active terminals at the moment. Terminal A is the new crown jewel, previously known as the Midfield Terminal, and it’s quite the upgrade from the older Terminals 1 and 3.
A Modern Masterpiece That Took Its Time
To give you an idea of just how much things have changed, picture this: the old terminals were tiny compared to the massive, futuristic Terminal A. This isn’t just an expansion—it’s practically a whole new airport. Construction began in 2012, and while it was supposed to be completed much sooner, financial troubles delayed things for years. Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier, was making some questionable investments at the time, and when their finances took a hit, so did the airport project.
Fast forward to late 2023, and Terminal A finally opened its doors. It’s now the sixth-largest terminal in the world, designed by the same architects behind Singapore’s upcoming Changi Terminal 5 and LaGuardia’s Central Terminal. From the outside, it’s sleek and imposing, though I couldn’t help but notice a lack of rain protection—not a big deal in the desert, but still an odd choice.
Checking In: Smooth, but Strict
Inside, the terminal is all about curves and smooth lines—what I’d call “millennial architecture.” Checking in was a breeze, with around 30 desks open. One thing that caught me off guard? The strict carry-on baggage rules. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by flying business class too often!
Etihad itself has been on a major comeback. After years of financial losses, the airline finally turned a profit last year—$142 million, which is five times more than their previous best year. And they did it with 30% fewer passengers. Inflation? Not exactly, but their restructuring efforts are clearly paying off.
The Future of Abu Dhabi as a Global Hub
Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a major transit hub, and Terminal A plays a big role in that vision. Right now, you can fly to 131 destinations on 37 different airlines from here. Etihad has ambitious goals for 2030:
- Increase its fleet from 91 to 160 aircraft (most of them wide-body planes).
- Expand its route network from 81 to 125 destinations.
- Grow annual passenger numbers from 14 million to 33 million.
That’s some serious expansion. But will it work? The competition is fierce—Emirates and Qatar Airways already dominate the region. While those airlines focus on efficiency and frequency, Etihad is trying to carve out a niche as a boutique airline with premium service.
Terminal A: Room for Improvement
For all its size and modern design, Terminal A does have some shortcomings. The biggest issue? The lack of variety in food options and lounges. If you’re not flying Etihad, your only lounge choice is the Pearl Lounge—not exactly ideal for a terminal this big.
Another oddity? Some of the gates require a ridiculously long walk just to find a restroom. For an airport designed for the future, that seems like a basic oversight.
That being said, compared to the old Terminals 1 and 3, this is a massive step up.
Flying Out: A Mixed Experience
Time to board! My flight today is a short hop to Dubai, but the experience on board was… interesting. The aircraft was an A321, which usually has comfortable seating. But not this time. The seats were as basic as they come—thin padding, almost no storage, and a hard plastic shell that made even a short flight feel uncomfortable. For an ultra-low-cost carrier? Fine. For a premium airline like Etihad? Not so much.
At least the service was solid. Etihad has a reputation for consistency, and this flight was no exception. The crew handed out snack bags with a cheese sandwich, masala sticks, a mini KitKat, and water.
Final Thoughts
So, would I recommend flying through Terminal A? Absolutely. The airport itself is impressive, and it has plenty of room to grow. Just be prepared for long walks, limited lounge options, and an airline that’s still figuring out its economy-class seating.
Etihad is clearly on the rise, and it’ll be interesting to see where they go in the next decade. Maybe they’ll even join SkyTeam—Delta could really use a solid partner in the Middle East!