Doha’s Hamad International Airport has witnessed a meteoric rise. Since it opened in 2014, it has gone from brand-new hub to global aviation superstar. Mark Harada discovers what it’s like to travel through arguably the world’s greatest airport*.
Coming in
Arriving at Hamad International could hardly be smoother. Qatar Airways connects Doha with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and every flight arrives in the early morning. That comes with its advantages.
When my ex-Sydney flight touches down at around 4.30 am, the airport is predictably quiet. But even for that time, I’m surprised at how quickly I’m able to pass through immigration.
The baggage claim is a little slower, though that probably comes down to the speed at which I reach the carousel. And after collecting my suitcase, I’m in a taxi on the way to my hotel in less than five minutes anyway. Not a bad advertisement for a destination looking to entice Aussie travellers to stop over in the country.
Heading off
Though there are larger airport terminals in the world, the departures hall at DOH is still stunning – especially with its impressive arched roof.
After quickly dropping my bag, I navigate an automated boarding pass scan, passport e-gates and finally, a security check – all in under 10 minutes. Considering it’s 7pm and the large number of departing flights, it’s all very efficient.
Airside, the terminal has a simple layout: Concourse A gates on one side, Concourse B gates on the other, and Concourse C, D and E down the middle.
Smack bang in the centre of the large Duty-Free Plaza – where the concourses meet in the main foyer – is the most recognisable feature of the airport: the seven-metre tall, bright yellow, bronze ‘Lamp Bear’ sculpture.
Right behind the giant teddy is the striking Louis Vuitton store, which leads a host of luxury goods retailers at the airport, including Hermes, Bvlgari, Fendi, Tiffany & Co and Harrods, among many, many more. I need to buy a new iPhone cable, so forgo the other retailers for the easy-to-find Apple store.
Similarly, there are countless dining options for passengers looking for a pre-flight meal, snack, or drink, from the upscale Emporio Armani Caffe and Ristorante all the way to Burger King and KFC, and loads of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine in between.
For families, there are several play areas, the most popular of which seems to be the unusual copper playground within Concourse C (indeed, I recall my young daughter spending a lot of time here when we passed through in 2017). There are also “activity nodes” for young travellers featuring large TVs, Mac stations, interactive art and family rooms.
A little downtime
Elsewhere, the airport boasts several quiet rooms with comfy recliner chairs, the Be Relax spa for massages, manicures and other wellness services, and the Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre.
The airport also features two hotels, the Oryx Airport Hotel and Oryx Garden Hotel and a monorail that connects the northern end of the terminal to the south.
One of the most impressive features of the hub is the recently opened Orchard, a roughly 6,000 sqm tropical garden in an expanded part of the airport. A large water feature lies at the centre of the new green space under a massive glass ceiling.
For those looking for a little luxury before flying, the Al Maha and Oryx Lounges offer travellers deli-style food and beverages, showers, and much more, all in the comfort of an airport lounge environment. But be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time (through Al Maha Services), as there’s a line for the Al Maha Lounge when I walk past. And it’s just about the only line I see in my time at the hub. This is what all airports should be like.
For more information, visit dohahamadairport.com
Read about our visit to Qatar’s most popular “mall”, Souq Waqif.
*In 2021, DOH became the first Middle Eastern airport to win the World Airport Awards’ Best Airport Award. It backed that up with another win in 2022.
