Our Review of Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM)

Table of contents: Our Review of Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM) Pros and Cons of Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Amman Queen Alia Airport (AMM)

Pros

Modern and Spacious Terminal: The terminal, designed by Foster + Partners, is inspired by Bedouin tents and features modular, organic forms, offering a comfortable and visually appealing space for travelers.
Future Expansion Ready: The modular design and layout allow for easy future expansion, accommodating increasing passenger numbers without major disruptions.
Wide Range of Services: The airport provides a comprehensive selection of amenities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, free Wi-Fi, car rentals, and family facilities.
Efficient Transport Options: Multiple transport options are available to and from the airport, including buses, taxis, private transfers, and car rentals, making it accessible for all types of travelers.
Strategic Location: Located about 35 km from central Amman, the airport is well-connected to the city and major tourist destinations, serving as a key gateway to Jordan.

Cons

Distance from City Center: Being situated 35 km from Amman means longer transfer times and higher transport costs for travelers heading to the city.
Limited Public Transport: There is no metro, train, or tram connection to the airport, so travelers must rely on buses, taxis, or private vehicles.
Potential for Crowding: During peak hours or busy travel seasons, the terminal and transport services can become crowded, affecting comfort and efficiency.
Need to Negotiate Taxi Fares: While official taxis are available, travelers are advised to confirm prices and ensure meters are used to avoid overcharging.
Parking Costs and Availability: While there is ample parking, fees can add up for long-term stays, and spaces may fill during busy periods.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), located 35 kilometers south of Amman, is Jordan’s main international gateway and the largest airport in the country. Opened in 1983 and significantly expanded in 2013 and 2016, the airport now handles up to 12 million passengers annually and serves as a regional hub for leisure, business, and medical travel. Its modern terminal, inspired by Bedouin tents, offers a spacious, light-filled environment and has earned a 4-Star Airport rating from Skytrax for its comfort, cleanliness, shopping, and service standards.

Airlines and Destinations

QAIA is a hub for Royal Jordanian and hosts over 35 international airlines, including Emirates, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and many more. The airport offers direct flights to 78 destinations across 35 countries, connecting Jordan with Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Terminal Facilities

Check-In & Security: Efficient check-in and security processes with clear signage and manageable walking distances.
Lounges: Three main lounges—Zain, Royal Jordanian, and Crown—plus the Petra Lounge, all located in the departures area, providing comfort and business facilities.
Shopping & Dining: Extensive duty-free shopping, souvenir shops, bookstores, cafés, and restaurants are available both before and after security.
Money & Communication: ATMs, currency exchange, banks, and free Wi-Fi are available throughout the terminal.
Family & Accessibility: The airport is fully accessible, with ramps, lifts, special toilets, designated parking, and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Family services include baby-changing rooms and play areas.
Other Services: Medical center (24/7), prayer rooms, spa, left-luggage, porters, and lost property office.

Transport to and from the Airport

Bus: The Sariyah Express shuttle bus connects the airport to central Amman every 30–60 minutes for about 3.3 JOD, with a journey time of 45–60 minutes.
Taxi: Official airport taxis are available outside Arrivals, with fixed fares (about 22–25 JOD to downtown Amman) and a journey time of 30–45 minutes.
Car Rental: Major international and local car rental companies have desks in the Arrivals area. Rental prices start around 25–40 USD/day, and driving is a popular way to explore Jordan.
Parking: Short- and long-term parking is available for around 6,000 vehicles, with shuttle service from long-term lots.

Sustainability and Awards

QAIA is the first airport in the Middle East to achieve Level 4+ Airport Carbon Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.

In summary:

Queen Alia International Airport is a modern, efficient, and well-connected facility offering a full range of services for travelers. Whether you’re visiting Amman or exploring Jordan, the airport’s amenities, transport options, and high service standards ensure a smooth start and end to your journey.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation