Dubai International airport is an excellent one and comparable with Amsterdam Airport.
One could see the services and facilities provided in the airport by visiting web site https://dubaiairport.com. It has more than 200 check-in desks many Video screen that display flights information.
I have visited Dubai airport 6 times in the span of last 4 years. For all trips I was only as a transit passenger but not made any special trips. .
There are difficulties persisting in the airport. I had to walk for long to reach the gate for connecting flight. I could see Electric carts moving from one end to another but I always assumed that the cart was for only old age people and others who are unable to walk over Conveyors after conveyors. Even moving by conveyor is also risky if one does not keep proper step to jump on floor where conveyer ends.
Long semis spherical shaped building (Concourse) has all the stuff that transit passenger can see/buy. Here Electronic shop does not have variety of items and Abu Dhabi airport has got much more than what is available here.
The Airport hotel is very near in the same building, you can make many trips to Duty free shops for shopping if you want and time permits.
Cost of the materials is costlier in the airport than that of in the city Markets like city center and sona bazaar. City center and Sona Bazaar and many shops are very near to airport. It will not cost much for Visa, if you intend to buy a large quantity and variety of items it is worth to book the hotel accommodation for one day at the time of booking ticket through agent or Emirates local office.
New gates/entry for Chennai flights are at extreme end of the terminal. That too two floor down, No lift is provided, it is difficult task of walking with handbag and other items like chocolate or drinks if any.
Immigration clearance. At peak hours that place is very crowded with large no of passengers and have to stand for long and go to Conveyors (of course it is near by) for collecting luggage, getting vehicle will be a little bit of tired sum work. Everyone has to rely on Driver.
On 4 th Aug’2003 I reached Dubai Airport from chennai. Then I thought of calling up my family. There is one phone point on the platform inside the terminal. I approached a gentle man sitting at his telephone booth. I told him my desire ness of phoning. But I did not have Dhirams, have Dollar and Indian Rupees. He agreed to accept Indian currency on one condition that he did not give balance amount, as he did not have change to return balance amount if any. I spoke to my family. It might be for three minutes. Paid Rs500/=It is ok for me as well as for him.
On May 12, 2004, I stayed with my son in Airport hotel that is near to Airport. I arranged for one day halt. We reached airport for Check in well before the time. There was a big queue as Emirates operated only few counters. When our turn came the staff did not give boarding pass, instead he started asking us whether we would like to go via Mumbai in another flight or stay one more day to take Chennai flight. Eight more passengers were also in my list. One family from Dubai had to rush to chennai as their relative was in critical condition in hospital.
Emirate Staff simply refused to give boarding pass on the reasoning of “Over booking”. In fact, I booked my ticket one month back and got it confirmed. They issued one free return Air Ticket valid for one year to visit from chennai to specified sectors that is within UAE.
We returned to the same hotel.. But my son was not happy because he was thinking of participating football match on the following day in Chennai. I was helpless. He was captain of his team. But that family could not be at rest. They moved around to find out alternative. I also joined with them. Finally a senior Emirates staff found vacant seats in Thai Flight flying via Chennai to Malaysia, My son was happy, we reached Chennai next day.
Third trip: I had to reach Dubai on 8th night and take a flight on 9th early morning for Chennai. I would be there in Chennai at 820hrs as per schedule but I did not get a flight in correct time to Dubai due to heavy wind and dust in the sky at starting port; there was a delay of 4 hours and I was able to reach Dubai in morning at 400 hrs. I did not inform my family about the latest development thinking that I could inform them in the morning after reaching Dubai. I did not want to give panic to them.
Reaching around 700 hrs Indian times to the help desk that will arrange for boarding pass and hotel accommodation. They gave flight ticket for Dubai to Mumbai and Mumbai to Chennai. My family did not know that I was not coming by that particular flight previously informed to them. I was desperately trying to inform them. How? I did not know the way. I enquired many while seeking for visa to stay at Immigration desk. One Pakistani working in Dubai luckily offered me his cell phone. But again I was not getting line. He was also in hurry to go. After hectic try with another number I could convey to my friend about my traveling delay and coming via Mumbai. And asked him to tell my family. After an hour later I could speak to my family from the hotel and informed my actual new travel information.
On 27th Feb I made another trip via Dubai. I had a prior booking for Hotel for one Day in Residential Hotel.
Everything including landing and staying hotel went off fine. But this time Driver of the hotel became nuisance factor to me. He did not come to pick me up in time .I stay an hour after all clearance got over in the airport. The same thing happened while leaving hotel. Driver did not report the requested time and delayed more than hour that created irritation and frustration. Finally arrived the airport.
Comparing airports of Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat and Doha, Dubai port gives more satisfaction.