in addition to my comments on some other threads here is more feedback i found on a website
airlinequality. com
Abu Dhabi Airport by Chris Stoever
3 December 2006
The airport Abu Dhabi is just hell! In peak times totally over-crowded, too few seats and full of smokers - as there are no non-smoking areas. Biggest problems are the dirty lavatories. For the main toilets on ground floors you have to queue up. Anyway, on the 2nd floor are also toilets available- but no signs at all guiding to these. And this is the next big problem. No signs at all to important facilities. Eg: signs to the transit hotel are only available outside the main hall! This airport is in an urgent need for a refurbishment as it will takes years until the new terminal will be opened!
Abu Dhabi Airport by Sascha Menzendorf
7 June 2005
In my opinion, AUH is one of the worst und uncomfortable airports conceivable. As I currently work in Abu Dhabi, I spent quite some time at the airport, and, it is always a pain. Very rude staff (which is not due to cultural issues!!!), very scummy terminal, far to overcrowded and the worst restrooms one can imagine. The airport construction itself seems very mangy and inappropriate for an international airport. Moreover, the security measures in place are an absolute joke. It happened twice that based on my European origin, I wasn't checked at all even though the detector signaled. Once, the final check (and only serious check) before entering the aircraft wasn't occupied as the officers on duty preferred to smoke. I travel a lot, but I haven't seen something like this before. By all means, try to avoid this airport if somehow possible.
Abu Dhabi Airport by Patrick Van Reusel
14 March 2005
I had a 4 hour stopover in Abu Dhabi airport. The shape of the airport: sort of mix between a swimming pool and a circus tent? The airport was overcrowded. I guess this is the only airport in the world where it is allowed to smoke. So after 4 hours there I was smelling like I spend the whole night in a sleazy bar. They accept Euro currency and even give change coins in Euro. The "Jewel on the crown" at the airport was the security. Before boarding everybody was checked by security officers in military uniforms. Because I carry a pacemaker, I am not allowed to pass the metal detector gate. After I told the security officer about the pacemaker, he told me he never heard of a pacemaker so he told me to pass the metal detector. I told him that it was his job to know about a pacemaker and the risks involved in combination with a metal detector. After some argue with the first officer, he sent me to the second one. And again the same story, he wanted me to pass the metal detector. Then he asked me a document to proof that I have a pacemaker. I gave him the pacemaker ID card. After having a short look at it, he threw it away on the table, ordered to take off my shoes and did a manual body search. This body search was done in a very hard and rude way, like he was angry and wanted to hurt me. Finally he had to let me go to the airplane.
Abu Dhabi Airport by Jay Sangha
30 March 2005
A complete hive of an airport. Smoking is not permitted but forced upon you from secondary inhalation. Security staff are very rude and have no manners at all. Airside, limited eating options, poor seating and no place to escape the smoke, especially when you have young children. Shopping is limited with a handful of shops that sell virtually everything although prices are competitive with western shops.
Abu Dhabi Airport by Maarten Visschers
11 October 2004
Had to wait 4 hours at Abu Dhabi Airport for my connecting flight to Kathmandu. The airport is the worst I've ever been, and absolutely not comparable with DUB or BAH. The building resembles something in between Starship USS Enterprise and a swimming pool. I was there in the evening, it was extremely crowded, and you could hardly hear any announcements as the echo was terrible. Also, there are hardly any windows.
Abu Dhabi Airport by Vernon Noronha
28 January 2005
Spent 4 hours here in November 2004. It was dire. The toilets are primitive and dirty, the eating options are few, the shopping is limited, and the seating is scarce. There are throngs of people milling about and we were so happy to get to our connecting flight