Gulf Air is the national carrier of Bahrain and operates a wide network around the Middle East as well as a few key destinations in Europe and Asia. The airline is dwarfed by its neighbour airlines in the region, which offer extensive route networks, flashier onboard service and airports that are more like cities than terminals.
Gulf Air delivers a solid product offering competitive fares and convenient connectivity between many destinations, especially around Arab countries. This advice and information can help you make the most of your next trip with this Bahraini airline.
The airline’s route map
Over the years, Gulf Air has slimmed down its route map, opting instead to be a leading airline for travellers flying to, from and around the Middle East. It operates to almost all neighbouring countries, but also connects those cities with various points in Europe and Asia.
Despite fewer long-haul flights than before, the airline still flies to many places. It has cut destinations like Hong Kong, Nairobi, Melbourne and Sydney. Understandably, Gulf Air cannot compete with Emirates or Qatar Airways, but it has found a way to operate a strong transfer hub in Bahrain.
The sweet spot for Gulf Air is its presence in parts of the Indian subcontinent and western Asia. A lot of its connecting traffic brings passengers from Europe and the Middle East to India and Pakistan. This strategy has proven fruitful for the carrier, and it continues to grow in the region.
There are also some key long-haul destinations like Bangkok, Beijing, Manila, Shanghai and Singapore where it also carries significant traffic from Europe, often at a more attractive price than the competition.
Aircraft fleet
The airline uses Airbus A320 and A321 planes on its short and medium-haul flights. On longer sectors, it relies on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The A320s have a traditional recliner seat in business class using a 2-2 layout while economy class is in a 3-3 configuration.
What I really like about Gulf Air though is that it has put flat-bed seats into its A321s, which it often uses on longer flights to Europe. It’s not often that you see flat-bed business class seats on a narrowbody plane, and it is especially helpful on shorter, overnight flights.
The Dreamliners also have flat-bed seats in business class. I like the way the airline has them organised with a staggered 2-2-2 design. This means that all seats have direct aisle access, even when sitting at the window. In economy class, these planes are in a traditional 3-3-3 layout with decent legroom.
A new terminal
Bahrain has a new airport terminal that is filled with natural light and can compete with some of the best airports around the world. It is about four times the size of the one it replaced, and all airlines now operate from here.
There are a dozen jet bridges, which is a significant upgrade from the old terminal, as well as many remote stand gates that require taking a bus to reach the aircraft.
High-end shops, a range of dining options and an airport transit hotel are all available for passengers. Connecting between gates is easy because this is not a mega terminal like what you might find in Dubai or Doha.
Inflight amenities
Gulf Air is a full-service airline offering all the expected perks on the ground and in the air. These are some of the inflight services you will find when flying Gulf Air.
Onboard entertainment
On the airline’s B787s, every seat has a seatback screen packed with movies, short-subject programs, sitcoms, music and games. Instead of seatback screens on its narrowbody planes, Gulf Air has streaming entertainment.
You can use your own device to connect to the onboard programming and watch the same library of content. I appreciate that every seat has a power outlet to stay charged up.
Inflight Wi-Fi
Gulf Air offers free wireless internet on its Boeing 787-9 and A321neo planes. This is a great way to pass the time catching up on work or chatting with friends. This is one of those really valuable perks that you get when flying with Gulf Air.
Not all aircraft have Wi-Fi though, and it is being rolled out to more planes. Check the Gulf Air website to see if your plane has this amenity.
Meal service
Every Gulf Air flight has meal service in both cabins although the shortest flights do not have a hot meal choice. In business class, Gulf Air offers a truly impressive meal service, delivered in courses and served directly on a linen-covered table. It is a dine-on-demand experience so you can decide when and what you want to eat.
You can select your meal in advance from the menu or you can choose once you are onboard. There is also a range of special meals like vegetarian, gluten-free and kid-friendly options that can be selected free of charge in either business or economy class.
Economy class usually has two hot menu choices. Both business and economy class passengers are able to order from a full bar menu free of charge with a range of wine, beer and spirits. The only flights without bar service are to dry countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Nanny service
This is perhaps the niftiest feature for Gulf Air passengers on its long-haul Dreamliner aircraft. Parents with children can request the Sky Nanny to help them entertain their children or rock them to sleep so that they can get their own rest during the flight.
They can help change diapers, feed kids and play with them. Gulf Air offers a range of supplies from baby wipes and diapers to toys and bibs for kids. It is available for passengers under the age of 12.
The airline has recently introduced the Sky Nanny on the ground in its Bahrain business class lounge. It is available between 8 am and 2 pm on a daily basis. If you do not have lounge access, the airport has a playground for kids.
Business class extras
On longer flights, passengers receive a substantial amenity kit as well as pyjamas and slippers to take home with them. Before take-off, the airline offers traditional drinks like water or champagne, but also Arabic coffee and dates. I like all of the local touches from the Gulf region.
When you are ready to sleep, flight attendants offer turndown service where they will recline your seat fully flat, add a mattress cover and spread out the duvet and pillow for you.
Before landing, the crew comes to each passenger with a spritz of rose water for a nice aromatherapy refreshment.
Falcon Gold Lounges
Bahrain’s airport has several exceptional lounges, including some accessible via Priority Pass, but my favourite is the Falcon Gold Lounge. It is accessible to Gulf Air business class passengers and top elite status cardholders.
There is a place to relax, work, shower, pray or even nap. The views of the airport are excellent for watching planes as they take off and land. And the menu here is simply fantastic. The international cuisine changes regularly, but there is a strong focus on Arabic and Indian recipes.
Gulf Air also has Falcon Gold lounges in Dubai and London Heathrow, but they are not as impressive as the one at its home airport.
Loyalty program
The Falconflyer program is the frequent flyer program for the carrier. You earn points based on the type of ticket and the length of the flight. And the more you travel, the higher your elite status tier, which comes with bonuses like accelerated mileage earning, lounge access and extra baggage privileges.
The airline does not belong to an airline alliance, but it does have partners with which you can earn and redeem miles. My preference is to use Air Canada Aeroplan miles to redeem for a Gulf Air flight.
There is also a unique family membership option. You can nominate family members to join the program, and then you earn miles whenever they fly (even if you are not travelling together).
Bahrain stopover
To encourage tourism, Gulf Air offers a stopover holiday program that allows travellers to spend some extra time in the country between flights without increasing the overall airfare. The hotels, tours and airport transfers are not free, but you can enjoy them at a discount rather than buying them individually.
If you have a layover in Bahrain between 7 and 24 hours, Gulf Air offers a complimentary hotel stay and transit visa. Travellers can also enjoy a free city tour if they have at least five hours between flights. It’s nice to get a little fresh air and experience some of the local culture. You can book this online before your flight.
Another interesting perk that not everyone may be aware of is that if you have a long layover, but do not want to leave the airport, Gulf Air offers meal vouchers to passengers to use in the airport. Ask when you check in to see if your ticket is eligible for this money-saving benefit.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
