Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is as hectic and over-crowded as the city itself. After battling heavy traffic to get to the airport, I found that the departures hall was equally as busy. Fortunately, with only one suitcase, I was able to navigate through the crowds to the first security check. Passengers are required to have their luggage scanned immediately upon entering the building. With that first hurdle jumped, I proceeded to the Malaysia Airlines check-in desk. Even two and a half hours before departure, all the check-in desks had a substantial line in front of them. However, I used my oneworld Ruby status (through Qatar Airways) to check in at the Business Class desk, where only one passenger was in front of me. The check-in clerk-wearing MH's signature sarong kebaya dress-was friendly and welcoming. After confirming that I indeed had the window seat that I had booked, she offered me the boarding pass and wished me a safe flight. Boarding pass in hand, I battled my way through another large crowd in front of the entrance to the immigration desks. Fortunately, once through the bottleneck at the door, the desk for foreign citizens had only two people in line. I was able to quickly pass through the formalities.
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