Connecting at Abu Dhabi airport

Connection time calculator, immigration and security, and how to move between terminals at AUH.

How connections work at AUH

At Abu Dhabi Zayed airport, passengers connecting between two international flights can usually stay in the transit area without going through immigration.

The airport has 4 terminals or concourses (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal A). All of them are connected after security, so you do not need to clear security again to change.

Connecting passengers go through a transfer security screening.

Connection time calculator

Is your layover at AUH long enough? Pick your connection and get an estimate with the times of this airport.

Terminals / concourses: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal A

Getting between them: Walking: from the central plaza to a far gate can take 15 to 20 minutes

All airlines use Terminal A, opened in late 2023. Check-in, transfer desks and the main retail area are in a central core, with piers in an X pattern (gates A to F). Connecting passengers pass a transfer security check.

  • Etihad's minimum connection time for its own flights is 45 minutes; for U.S.-bound flights it rises to 85 minutes because of U.S. preclearance.
  • Flights to the U.S. clear U.S. immigration and customs in Abu Dhabi before boarding: be at security 3 hours before departure.
  • On separate tickets you clear UAE immigration, collect bags and check in again: allow at least 3 hours.

Estimate based on typical times at this airport, not your airline's official minimum connection time. Immigration and security lines change with the time of day and season. On a single ticket, the airline must rebook you if you miss the connection; on separate tickets, it does not.

Sources: layoverindex.com.

Times are estimates: always check with your airline.

More about AUH

Airport guide Departures Arrivals