Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Chaotic Environment: A recurring complaint is the chaotic and overcrowded nature of the airport, especially during layovers, leading to "human traffic jams" and a stressful experience. Many find it poorly managed given the sheer volume of passengers.
• Long Wait Times at Security and Immigration: Despite official claims of minimal wait times, many recent reviews report significant delays at both security and immigration. Some travelers have experienced wait times of an hour or more for passport control. Automated Smart Gates sometimes prove ineffective for first-time visitors or a large percentage of passengers, rerouting them to longer manual queues.
• Lack of Basic Facilities and Seating: A notable criticism is the shortage of sufficient seating and clean toilet facilities, leading to long queues for restrooms and limited places to rest, particularly for economy class passengers during long layovers.
• Unfriendly or Unhelpful Staff: Several travelers have reported negative experiences with airport staff, citing unprofessional, unfriendly, unhelpful, or even rude attitudes at security and immigration checkpoints. There are also instances of inconsistent service, such as restrictions on buggy use for pregnant passengers.
• Disruptions and Airport Access Issues: Extreme weather events have led to severe disruptions, including flight cancellations and advice for travelers to avoid the airport unless absolutely necessary due to restricted access and flooding.

In summary, Dubai International Airport is undeniably a major global hub, celebrated for its modern infrastructure and vast connectivity. However, the rapidly increasing passenger traffic appears to strain its operational capacity, leading to significant frustrations for many travelers regarding overcrowding, prolonged wait times at security and immigration, and perceived shortcomings in staff service and basic amenities.