After a 4 year delay the new Qatar airport, Hamad International recently opened. This $15 billion dollar project was made out of 200,000 mosaic tiles, 1,600 glass pieces and building materials from 40 different countries. The airport has high ceilings and an overall elegance about it.
Airport Amenities
One of the biggest perks for travelers going through the Hamad International Airport are the amenities. These amenities include:
Shopping: There are over 300,000 sq ft. of retail shops including Burberry, Chanel, Harrods, Michael Kors and Tiffany & Co offering duty free shopping.
Smoking Rooms: The Hamad International Airport is smoke-free, but travelers will not have to go outside to have a cigarette or cigar. The airport has designated smoking rooms that are strategically placed throughout the passenger terminal. Each room has smoke extractors so that travelers can relax in the room without being inundated with cigarette smoke.
Lockers: For those travelers that have flight delays or who are going to be in the airport for a lengthy period of time there are lockers available to store their belongings. This will allow them to enjoy all the airport has to offer without having to lug their bags around. These lockers are available in concourses A, B, and C. They will need to be rented, but are free of charge.
Prayer Rooms: The is a 23,000 sq. ft. Mosque and prayer rooms are available in the passenger terminal. There are separate areas for both men and women.
For The Kids
When traveling with children it’s important that their needs are met in order to make the travel experience a little more enjoyable. Hamad International Airport offers the following amenities for children and those traveling with them:
Activity Nodes: Entertained children are happy children. The airport has activity nodes available that have televisions, internet access, climbing toys and ride on toys. Throughout the airport there are five of these nodes that are inside of the passenger terminal. They are located in Concourse A, B and C.
Parent’s Rooms: When you need to change a diaper or feed a baby an airport is not always the most accommodating place. There are parent’s rooms located through the passenger terminal of the airport. These rooms have warmers to heat both milk and water as well as areas to change diapers.
Family Restrooms: In order to making using the restroom easier for parents with children, family restrooms are available for use. There are several of these restrooms available throughout the airport and they can be easily found by using the airport map or by asking the information desk.
Hamad International Airport is projected to have about 50 million travelers use the airport each year. The check-in and retail areas a so large that they could fit 10 huge airplanes in it. This airport is going to be the primary hub for Qatar Airways.
Although many US tour companies do not visit Qatar, this new Qatar airport may open the way to more travel there. As a matter of fact a few companies have announced trips. Tauck Tours just announced a new trip for 2015 called Dubai and the Arabian Peninsula that visits Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Oman. The Azamara Journey will have a 10 night Arabian Gulf & Emirates Voyage sailing on October 24, 2016.
