Doha, the ultra-modern, meticulously clean capital of Qatar, isn’t exactly known for being subtle. It’s a city where everything feels grand, polished, and almost too perfect—like stepping into a future where nothing is ever out of place. Today, I’m making my way to Hamad International Airport for a flight, cruising through the city in an Uber with windows so tinted they feel straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Hamad International is one of the world’s busiest and most advanced airports, but let’s be honest—everyone and their grandma has already talked about it. Qatar Airways is basically the internet’s favorite airline, and travel vloggers have covered it from every possible angle. So, instead of rehashing what you already know, let’s focus on two things you probably don’t know about this airport.
A Hub Like No Other
Here’s the first thing: Doha’s airport and Qatar Airways are in a truly unique position. They’re the first and only airline operating a genuinely global network from an airport that was purpose-built for it.
Qatar’s aviation history dates back to the 1930s, with the first airport in Dukhan. That was later replaced by Doha International in 1959, which functioned as a secondary hub for Gulf Air until Qatar went solo in 2002. Doha International was supposed to handle 12 million passengers a year but was bursting at the seams with 23 million by the time it shut down in 2014. That’s when Hamad International finally took over—after years of delays and a series of very expensive headaches.
Hamad now has a capacity of 93 million, though it currently sees about 46 million passengers annually. That number is only going up. And while other Middle Eastern hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul are impressive, none were quite designed for global transit the way Hamad was. Emirates is still stuck in a packed terminal, waiting for its new mega-airport to open. Abu Dhabi has a brand-new terminal, but Etihad doesn’t have a worldwide reach like Qatar Airways does. Turkish Airlines has the largest global network, but you still can’t fly nonstop to Australia or New Zealand. That leaves Doha as the only place where a truly global airline is operating out of a hub meant for that purpose.
Meet Lamp Bear: The Airport’s Unexpected Mascot
Now, onto the second thing you probably don’t know—this airport is home to a bear. A big one.
You’ve probably seen it: a massive, seven-meter-tall, 20-ton bronze bear with a lamp sticking out of its head. It’s called Lamp Bear, and it’s one of the most famous pieces of airport art in the world. But what you might not know is that it used to live in New York.
Before coming to Doha, Lamp Bear sat outside the Seagram Building on Park Avenue in Manhattan. It was part of an art auction by Christie’s, where it was eventually bought by a Qatari billionaire for nearly $7 million. The artist, Urs Fischer, actually created three of these bears. One, known as Blueno, ended up at Brown University. The third? Nobody really knows. But if I had to bet, I’d say it’s somewhere in the Middle East.
Beyond the Bear: What Else is Here?
Apart from Lamp Bear, Hamad International Airport is a paradise for travelers. The terminal itself is a masterpiece of modern architecture, supposedly inspired by ocean waves and sand dunes. Some people call it one of the most luxurious airports in the world—and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that. There are endless lounges, high-end shopping, great restaurants, and even a brand-new indoor garden area.
Today, I’m heading to the Al Maha Lounge, which is basically the go-to for Priority Pass holders and non-Oneworld business class passengers. It’s comfortable enough, though not particularly fancy, and the food selection is pretty basic. But hey, the service is solid, and it’s a decent place to relax before my flight.
On Board a Plane Qatar Airways Never Wanted
Now, let’s talk about today’s flight—a Qatar Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8. This is a plane that Qatar Airways didn’t even want.
Here’s what happened: Qatar Airways and Airbus had a messy legal battle that resulted in Airbus canceling Qatar’s A320 orders. With limited options, Qatar had to buy some 737 MAXs—planes they never originally planned to add to their fleet. To make things even stranger, these particular jets were supposed to go to Russia’s S7 Airlines, so the interiors are a bit… off. Qatar Airways tried to make them feel more Qatari, but you can still see hints of their Russian past—especially with that neon stripe on the seats.
Despite that, the flight is smooth. I’m in an exit row, so there’s plenty of legroom, and the middle seat is empty—a rare luxury. The service is lightning-fast, with drinks and snacks served before we even left Qatari airspace. The meal? A surprisingly good hot pizza-style item, water, and orange juice. Not bad for such a short flight.
Before long, we’re descending into Riyadh through a layer of dust and clouds. It’s been a quick, comfortable trip, and while the 737 MAX isn’t the most exciting aircraft in Qatar’s fleet, it gets the job done.
Final Thoughts
So, what did we learn today?
- Hamad International is arguably the only airport in the world designed specifically for a truly global airline.
- Doha’s airport has a very expensive bear that used to live in New York.