Arrivals and departures: VIP treatment at Doha's Hamad International Airport

Sometimes, it's a toss-up whether arriving or departing an airport is the most stressful. 

Even with the increasing utilisation of modern technologies like e-passports and facial recognition, the ins and outs of customs and immigration can be nerve-racking. I was pleasantly surprised to find my Australian e-passport now accepted at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which to be honest, had never given me much grief in the past, compared to Saigon's Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN) which reliably takes at least one hour to shuffle through formalities. Then there is Vietnam's bewildering e-visa process, but that's for another story.

So, after a tiring 15-hour flight to Doha (DOH), imagine my delight to be met at the aerobridge by the smiling Maria for my Platinum arrival service (operated by Al Maha Services) which will whisk me past the growing line at the passport control desks and bypass the baggage scrum to the sparkling arrival lounge where I sit and enjoy an egg and avocado sandwich and coffee while a kind chap goes off to find my suitcase.

There are zero queues and the whole operation is seamless. I even have time for some friendly banter with the sole immigration official who cheerfully stamps my just-for-fun logbook.

Al Maha's arrival lounge (R Eime)

Admittedly, I had neglected to arrange a transfer from the airport to my hotel near the port, but this was quickly rectified by Maria, who found the hotel's driver and locked this in for me while I waited at another of Al Maha's lounges near the exit.

I know many of you more familiar with travel in the Middle East than me may grunt dismissively at my childish wonderment, but this is a massive tick for first impressions. If only my more regularly visited airports could be so efficient and pleasant. Yes, I'm looking at you, Melbourne.

As you may have gathered, this is not a free service so I will list the fee and service options here. I did arrive on a bargain economy ticket aboard a very satisfactory Royal Jordanian (RJ) flight, so this is not restricted to passengers arriving on Qatar Airways (QR) or any of the other ME airlines. 

Is it worth it? Just remember all those times you've stood for hours in immobile queues, jostling with the unwashed, only to face an uncaring robot with a nil care factor, and the decision is easy.

 

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