<strong>Hamad International Airport:</strong> Opened in 2014, Qatar's airport has quickly established itself as the best in the Middle East and has challenged other global aviation hubs.
Hamad International Airport: Opened in 2014, Qatar's airport has quickly established itself as the best in the Middle East and has challenged other global aviation hubs.
Courtesy Hamad International Airport
<strong>Beautiful architecture:</strong> The airport's vaulted ceilings ripple like waves, in tribute to its coastal location.
Beautiful architecture: The airport's vaulted ceilings ripple like waves, in tribute to its coastal location.
KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Water drop:</strong> Another architectural centerpiece is the airport's mosque, designed to resemble a drop of water.
Water drop: Another architectural centerpiece is the airport's mosque, designed to resemble a drop of water.
Courtesy Hamad International Airport
<strong>Subversive sculpture:</strong> HIA prides itself on displaying groundbreaking artworks by contemporary and sometimes controversial artists. "Lamp Bear," by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, has become a surreal mascot of the airport.
Subversive sculpture: HIA prides itself on displaying groundbreaking artworks by contemporary and sometimes controversial artists. "Lamp Bear," by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, has become a surreal mascot of the airport.
KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Not Mickey Mouse: </strong>This piece, "SMALL LIE" by New York pop artist KAWS, was installed in March 2018. KAWS is known for his work subverting popular icons such as Mickey Mouse.
Not Mickey Mouse: This piece, "SMALL LIE" by New York pop artist KAWS, was installed in March 2018. KAWS is known for his work subverting popular icons such as Mickey Mouse.
Courtesy HIA
<strong>Big hand:</strong> The KAWS artwork is so large, an airport wall had to be removed to get it into place.
Big hand: The KAWS artwork is so large, an airport wall had to be removed to get it into place.
Courtesy HIA
<strong>Luxury shopping:</strong> The airport hosts major upscale brands such as Gucci, Burberry, Swarovski and Coach.
Luxury shopping: The airport hosts major upscale brands such as Gucci, Burberry, Swarovski and Coach.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Swimming pool: </strong>A beautiful 25-meter pool overlooks the main departures hall. Anyone traveling through the airport can pay to use it. There's also a fully equipped gym, squash courts and spa.
Swimming pool: A beautiful 25-meter pool overlooks the main departures hall. Anyone traveling through the airport can pay to use it. There's also a fully equipped gym, squash courts and spa.
Courtesy HIA
<strong>Al Mourjan Lounge:</strong> Qatar Airways' business class lounge is a huge, 10,000-square-meter facility capable of handling up to 1,000 people at a time.
Al Mourjan Lounge: Qatar Airways' business class lounge is a huge, 10,000-square-meter facility capable of handling up to 1,000 people at a time.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Comfort and quiet:</strong> HIA is a silent airport -- there are no announcements beyond traditional calls to prayer. In the Al Mourjan lounge, comfy chairs come with tablets that can inform passengers when their plane is about to depart.
Comfort and quiet: HIA is a silent airport -- there are no announcements beyond traditional calls to prayer. In the Al Mourjan lounge, comfy chairs come with tablets that can inform passengers when their plane is about to depart.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Al Safwa lounge:</strong> First class Qatar travelers can access airport nirvana -- the Al Safwa lounge.
Al Safwa lounge: First class Qatar travelers can access airport nirvana -- the Al Safwa lounge.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Groovy furniture:</strong> Private booths in the first class lounge come with these comfy-looking chairs.
Groovy furniture: Private booths in the first class lounge come with these comfy-looking chairs.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>We've been expecting you:</strong> Want to play at being a Bond villain? Check out these imposing swivel chairs.
We've been expecting you: Want to play at being a Bond villain? Check out these imposing swivel chairs.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Fine dining:</strong> The Al Sawfa lounge offers high class restaurant dining with drink choices from a wine cellar worthy of a French chateau.
Fine dining: The Al Sawfa lounge offers high class restaurant dining with drink choices from a wine cellar worthy of a French chateau.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Refreshing break:</strong> Want to completely forget you're in an airport? The Al Safwa lounge has a fully equipped spa, complete with Jacuzzis.
Refreshing break: Want to completely forget you're in an airport? The Al Safwa lounge has a fully equipped spa, complete with Jacuzzis.
Courtesy Qatar Airways
<strong>Cheap seats:</strong> Even if you don't have a ticket for the fancy lounges, HIA is a comfortable place. Check out these classy seats in the normal lounge.
Cheap seats: Even if you don't have a ticket for the fancy lounges, HIA is a comfortable place. Check out these classy seats in the normal lounge.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Spot the birds:</strong> Look closely above the information boards. Those birds aren't real. Just another cool art installation.
Spot the birds: Look closely above the information boards. Those birds aren't real. Just another cool art installation.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Poetry on the go:</strong> This moving art work displays poetic lines in Arabic and English.
Poetry on the go: This moving art work displays poetic lines in Arabic and English.
Barry Neild/CNN
<strong>Award winning: </strong>Review site Skytrax named HIA the world's best airport in 2021. It's regularly ranked as the best in the Middle East.
Award winning: Review site Skytrax named HIA the world's best airport in 2021. It's regularly ranked as the best in the Middle East.
Courtesy NDIA Project
<strong>Big ambitions:</strong> HIA's bosses say the airport will be handling 50 million passengers annually by 2022.
Big ambitions: HIA's bosses say the airport will be handling 50 million passengers annually by 2022.
Barry Neild/CNN