I passed through Abu Dhabi’s new Zayed International Airport four times on Etihad connections, each time using a Priority Pass to access the airport-run Pearl Lounge. The old Terminals 1 and 3 were notoriously cramped, and the move to Terminal A promised more breathing room for the growing traffic from low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Air Arabia alongside Etihad’s own network. I wanted to see whether the lounge space matched the terminal’s ambition.

Getting to the lounge is half the battle. The terminal’s central atrium packs shops and passengers into a single chaotic canyon, and the signage leads you in circles. I lost count of how many times I passed the same perfume counter. Once I found the lift to the lounge level, I was greeted by a queue that could pass for a budget airline check-in desk at peak times.

What is the Pearl Lounge like for Priority Pass holders?

At the entrance, staff split arriving passengers into two lines. One serves business and first class travellers on carriers such as Qatar Airways. The other, far longer, funnels everyone holding Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, or similar schemes. On three of my four visits I arrived during the evening peak, and the scheme line stretched well back into the walkway. On one occasion I gave up entirely and skipped the lounge because the crowd combined with a late inbound connection made it pointless. When I did queue, the longest wait was about ten minutes.

Inside, the low ceiling hits you straight away. The space stretches far back, but the height makes it feel almost like a converted office floor. Most guests cluster around the buffet near the entrance, so the front half becomes hectic as people constantly return for more food. I have to say, the food is well above average for a Priority Pass lounge. The spread has a heavy South Asian influence, and the dishes hold their warmth and moisture surprisingly well even when the room is packed.

Deeper inside, the layout fractures into narrow passageways with chairs tucked into odd alcoves. It almost feels like the architect filled leftover floor space with seating and called it a day. At the very back, a row of glass-walled meeting rooms sat empty, though I did not investigate whether they were bookable or merely decorative.

A bar area hides around a corner from the buffet, discretely tucked away. I stuck to coffee rather than alcohol on my visits, and the barista-made flat white was surprisingly good, miles better than the watery output from the self-serve machines dotted through the lounge.

Is the terrace area worth seeking out?

Through a set of doors that look like fire escapes, you will find the terrace. It reminded me of the open-plan lounge zones at Istanbul Airport’s Turkish Airlines facility. The area is not soundproofed at all, so you hear every announcement and footstep from the terminal below, but you trade that for an abundance of natural light. On a sunny day, sunglasses are almost essential out there.

You can pick up sweet pastries and cold drinks from a small station, and the seating is comfortable enough if you can nab a spot. That last part is the challenge: plenty of travellers stretch out and sleep, leaving little room for anyone else. The strange thing on the terrace is the cluster of departure screens. Having several boards in one place is useful, but they are all bunched together in a single corner rather than spread across the seating area. (One screen at the far end would have made far more sense.)

How bad are the showers really?

To use the showers, you register with a staff member stationed near the toilets, receive a pager, and wait for it to buzz. In my experience, even during the busiest periods, the wait rarely exceeded half an hour. My best advice is to sign up the moment you enter the lounge.

The facilities themselves, however, were a letdown. Every time I used them, the water ran cool rather than hot and the pressure was little more than a trickle. Fixtures wobbled, and the tray drained at a snail’s pace. These failings were present from my first visit just weeks after the terminal opened, and they persisted across later calls, which does not inspire confidence. I always appreciate the chance to freshen up between sectors, but here the experience left me more frustrated than revived.

Should you arrive early just to use the lounge?

As a Priority Pass stop, the Pearl Lounge is a functional, middle-of-the-road space that I would call fine rather than memorable. It is a clear step up from the old terminal’s cramped offering, but it never feels like a premium experience. The low ceilings and oddly laid-out corridors make me suspect this was originally an office conversion done late in the terminal’s construction rather than a purpose-built lounge.

I would not schedule extra time at the airport just to visit. Pop in if you are passing through, grab a bite and a coffee, and then leave the showers for another day until the maintenance catches up.

Adapted from my article originally published on Turning Left for Less.