Travelling is fun and no matter where you’re going – whether it’s back home or to a new destination – you’re bound to learn new things, but it can also be a little daunting, especially at the airport. And, from my own personal experience, I feel that if I am not prepared for the airport run and what can and cannot happen at Hamad International Airport - HIA (or any airport), the rest of my journey is bound to be affected and more stressful.

So, here, we talk about some of airport life hacks that you can use at HIA to make your journey hassle free and easy!

1. Check flight status before heading to HIA

HIA has a great online live flight status section on its website where you can get minute-by-minute information on flights. To avoid having to wait for long periods of time at the airport because your flight is delayed, why not check before you leave the house to save you from this stress. Click here for HIA Flight Status.

2. Put coloured ribbons on luggage handles

This one is my absolute favourite. By putting coloured ribbons or pieces of cloth (preferably all the same colour) on your luggage, you’ll be able to see it as soon as it hits the conveyer belt at baggage claim, and it won’t get mistaken for someone else’s.

3. Put fragile stickers on luggage

One of my favourite life hacks while travelling is getting fragile stickers for my luggage and sticking them on. This will ensure your luggage is treated in a gentle manner throughout the journey,

4. Use HIA's Smart Technology for check-in ease

HIA's smart technology programme has made checking i so much easier and comfortable.

4.1. Download the ibeacon enabled mobile app

This is a great app and after you download it, you can check live flight notifications, turn-by-turn navigation, baggage claim information, how long it will take to get to the boarding gates with directions, dining opportunities and offers, and information of ongoing retail offers at Qatar Duty Free as you walk past the retail outlets. All you have to do is scan your boarding passes and opt for location detection, and all HIA information will be just a click away!

4.2. Facial biometric recognition

The facial biometric recognition has been launched across all key passenger touch points. This smart technology combines passengers’ flight, passport, and facial biometric information in a single electronic record at the self-check-in kiosk or mobile app.

4.3. Try the self-check in

There are 62 next-generation self-service check-in kiosks dotted around the HIA departures check-in hall, so you can easily check in, print your boarding passes and tags for your luggage. This will help reduce the stress of travelling, long queues and waiting, especially if you have kids with you, At the moment, this facility is available only for Qatar Airways passengers, but HIA has plans to provide this facility to passengers travelling on other airlines soon.

4.4. Use the self-bag drop

There are 12 self-service bag drops with future biometric technology capability. After checking in you can drop your luggage at the bag drop before proceeding to border control, so you won’t have to wait in the long queues. At the moment, this facility is available only for Qatar Airways passengers, but HIA has plans to provide this facility to passengers travelling on other airlines soon.

4.5. Automated visa document check

There is a mobile Automated Visa Document Check - the first of its kind in any major international airport - which enables ground services agents to check your visa documentation before you proceed to the immigration.

5. Use the e-Gate

Once it’s time to proceed to immigration, you may be daunted by the long queue of people waiting to pass through the immigration, especially in peak holiday season, so why not use the e-Gate with your valid Qatar ID. However, it’s important to remember that children under 16 years-of-age cannot use the e-Gate. This may change soon, and a solution is being looked into to facilitate those travelling with children under 16.

6. Let the children’s play

HIA’s departure lounge is dotted with play areas that the children will simply love and enjoy. It may actually be hard to get them to leave this child-friendly areas.

7. Check out one of the lounges

HIA has a number of different lounges where you can sit and relax in a comfortable atmosphere while you wait for your flight and enjoy the superior hospitality they have on offer. For more information on the different lounges and their facilities, click here.

8. Rest in one of the Quiet Rooms

If you have time before your flight and feel the need to rest, why not use one of the Quiet Rooms located in different parts of HIA’s Departure Lounge. There are separate Quiet Rooms for men and women and these tranquil areas offer a calm and softly-lit ambience accompanied by comfortable recliners for you to rest, read or take a nap.

9. Relax at HIA's Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre

If you have time to spare, why not check out HIA’s Vitality Wellbeing and Fitness Centre which offers a selection of recreational spaces such as indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy tub, gym and squash courts.

The Centre is located at HIA’s South Node, on the fourth floor, above Oryx Airport Hotel. Access is via the elevator near the Lamp Bear exhibit, and prices starts from QR 175.

For the complete Vitality Spa price list, click HERE.

10. Shop till you board!

You name it HIA has it. Whether it's luxury shopping options, everyday items, confectionery, books, jewellery, clothing, you can find that and a whole lot more at HIA's Qatar Duty Free Zone. Maybe you forgot some travel accessories or need to buy a gift for someone. Whatever your shopping needs, be sure that you will be able to find it at the HIA!

11. Dining

Whether you're looking for gourmet dining options or grab-and-go food items, you'll find something to satisfy everyone's food cravings with the variety on off from around the world. Whatever your dining needs are, be sure that you'll be able to find it at the HIA!

11. Don’t use the bathroom just before the boarding gate

Since many people decide to use the bathroom just before boarding time, most likely, the bathroom that’s nearest to the boarding gate will not only be really busy, but may also be dirty due to the influx of people moving in and out of it. So, it’s best to use other bathrooms on the way, and there are quite a few at the HIA.

What do you think of these airport life hacks? Do you use any of them when you travel? Do let us know your thoughts in our Comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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