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About

Gulf Air is the national flag carrier of Bahrain and is headquartered in Muharraq with its main hub airport at Bahrain International Airport. The airline flies to over 50 destinations in 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The airline is one of the oldest carriers in the Middle East, with its history dating back to the 1940s, with an air taxi service between Doha and Dhahran. This air taxi service was registered in 1950 under the name Gulf Aviation Company Limited, with major stakeholders including British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). In 1974, the governments of Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Oman each gained a 25% share in Gulf Aviation, where it was soon rebranded to Gulf Air. In 2002, however, Qatar announced that they would be withdrawing from Gulf Air to focus on its own flag carrier, Qatar Airways. Abu Dhabi did the same in 2005, announcing their focus on Etihad Airways, with Oman withdrawing in 2007, leaving Bahrain to claim full ownership of the airline.

Did you know? You can purchase Gulf Air flights on finance. When you book with Alternative Airlines you can buy Gulf Air flights today and spread the cost over weekly or monthly instalments.

Destinations

Gulf Air currently flies to over 30 countries, as per the tables below (correct of August 2022):

Baggage

Carry-on Baggage

If you are flying in economy class are permitted 1 x 6 kg /13 lbs bag, measuring a maximum of 45 x 40 x 30 cm (17 x15 x12 inch).

If you're travelling in the Falcon Gold class are permitted 1 x 9kg / 20 lbs cabin bag and one briefcase. The bag must not measure more than 55 x 40 x 30 cm (22 x 15 x12 inch).

In addition, you're allowed a personal item onboard with them. These may be items such as a laptop, purse, umbrella or book etc.

No prohibited items should be packed in carry-on baggage. Any prohibited items found by airport security or by the immigration department upon arrival airport will be removed and disposed of. Prohibited items must be stored in checked baggage, including any fluid exceeding 100ml. If you need to travel with any fluid, it must be within 100ml and packed within a plastic bag for airport security check.

Checked Baggage

In economy (on a deal or basic fare) are permitted 1 bag weighing a maximum of 23kg / 51lbs.

In economy (on friendly & freedom fare or Falconflyer redemption ticket) are permitted 2 bags weighing a maximum of 23kg / 51lbs each.

In Falcon Gold (all fare family tickets or Falconflyer redemption tickets) are permitted 2 bags weighing up to 32kg / 71 each.

The maximum dimension of the luggage is 51 x 76 x 31 cm.

Check-In Information

Online Check-in

You can check-in online via the Gulf Air website, from 24 hours before flying, up until 90 minutes before your flight is due to depart. You can choose their seat at check-in, and print their boarding pass easily at home.

Airport Check-in

The airport check-in time varies depending on which airport you are departing from. However, you can often check-in 4 hours before your flight, with the check-in desk closing 1 hour before your flight departs. Make sure you check your check-in time on your eTicket before departing to ensure you do not miss the deadline and your flight.

Class Information

Economy Class

Gulf Air's Economy Class comes with comfort and space for all travellers on a budget.

Facilities

Facilities in Gulf Air's Economy Class includes meals, entertainment and 23kg of baggage. This depends on flight journeys. Breakfast meals include a hot meal and selection of pastries and coffee and teas. Hot meals are also provided at dinner.

Seats

Seats in Economy class can be booked in advance if you require more legroom, at an additional fee. Preferred seats are exit row seats and bulkhead seats and are subject to availability. Each Economy zone is at priced at different seat pricing. Please note that there are terms and conditions for prepaid seat selection. Any seat changes require a fee. You can pre-book a seat when you book on the Alternative Airlines website.

Premium Economy

This airline does not have a set Premium Economy. You must choose to travel either in Economy or Business/First (Falcon Gold).

Business Class

In 2018 Gulf Air unveiled its new Business class, called Falcon Gold, which lets eligible you upgrade to a premium service.

Facilities

Pre-flight, Gold Falcon passengers access to Gulf Air’s Falcon Gold Lounge (Bahrain, Dubai and London), which includes a Sky Nanny, quiet room, and range of refreshments. On-board, passengers can enjoy priority check-in, as well as a generous baggage allowance. Gulf Air’s Sky Nanny will entertain your children while you enjoy a 5-star meal.

What are the Business Class Seats Like?

Falcon Gold Business Class boasts one of the longest flat-bed in the world with all direct aisle access. All seats have a privacy screen that can be elevated to create more privacy, noise-cancelling headphones, inbuilt massage function, and 22-inch flatscreen TV.

First Class

Gulf Air only has one premium class; Falcon Gold. Read the information in Business Class above to discover more about this class.

Does First Class Facilities Have a First Class Lounge?

The Falcon Gold lounge is available in Bahrain, Dubai and London. Passengers can enjoy their airport experience in comfort with exceptional service in privacy. Passengers are able to do as they please, whether that’s sleep and relax or concentrate on work or catch up with events. Included in the lounge are a restaurant, free WiFi access, shower facilities and premium comfort seating.

In-Flight Entertainment

Gulf Air offers a great in-flight entertainment service, called Falcon Entertainment. This offers you a wide selection of entertainment, including radio shows, international movies (classic, latest blockbuster and kids), music and TV shows. In-flight entertainment and in-flight magazines are available across the Gulf Air fleet.

Food

Gulf Air Meal Options

Gulf Air provides meals onboard their flights. If you decide to upgrade to the Falcon Gold class, they will experience the Sky Chef for a fine dining experience. This is much like the quality and service you would receive in a five-star restaurant, the only difference being that you are dining above the clouds. Food will be inspired by European and Middle Eastern cuisine in a contemporary mezze style, including a starter, main and dessert.

Gulf Air Special Dietary Requirements

All passengers can request a special meal to suit their dietary needs and requirements, providing they pre-order it at least 24 hours in advance. The following are the meals that can pre pre-ordered with Gulf Air:

• Baby Meal (BBML)
• Bland Meal (BLML)
• Child’s Meal (CHML)
• Diabetic Meal (DBML)
• Fruit Platter (FPML)
• Gluten-Free Meal (GFML)
• Hindu Meal (HNML)
• Low-calorie Meal (LCML)
• Low fat / Low cholesterol Meal (LFML)
• Low lactose (NLML)
• Low Salt Meal (LSML)
• Muslim Meal (MOML)
• Raw vegetarian (RVML)
• Vegetarian Hindi meal (AVML)
• Vegetarian Jain meal (VJML)
• Lacto-Ovo vegetarian Meal (VLML)
• Vegetarian Oriental Meal (VOML)
• Vegan Vegetarian Meal (VGML)

Drinks & Alcohol

If you're flying in the Falcon Gold class, you will receive a recommendation for a beverage to accompany the meal, based on the meal choice. You can also indulge in fine wines, excellent spirits and vintage champagne in addition to non-alcoholic drinks. For all other passengers, there are the usual soft drinks and other beverages available.

WiFi

Stay connected throughout the duration of your Gulf Air flight with Falcon WiFi. There are two plans to choose from: Chat and Smart.

With the Chat plan, you can keep in touch with your friends and family while up in the air as well as browse social media without having to wait until you land.

The Smart plan provides an additional data allowance, meaning you can surf the web and send/receive your emails in peace.

Falcon WiFi is available to purchase onboard your Gulf Air flight.

Frequent Flyer

Gulf Air operates a frequent flyer program called Falconflyer to reward regular travellers with Gulf Air. Earn loyalty points to progress to higher levels of membership and exchange the awarded Miles for free tickets or upgrades. When you book a ticket with Gulf Air you can collect points to work towards special deals.

There are four tiers with the Falconflyer program:

• Blue Membership - earn miles when flying with Gulf Air. You can redeem miles to upgrade to the Silver Membership tier with a minimum of 600 loyalty points
• Silver Membership - 25% extra bonus miles on top of standard mileage. Guaranteed Economy seat on fully booked flights. Falcon Gold check-in if flying with Economy.
• Gold Membership - 50% extra bonus miles on top of standard mileage. Access to Falcon Gold lounges. Priority baggage handling.
• Black Membership - 75% extra bonus miles on top of standard mileage. Fast track service. One time upgrade to Falcon Gold cabin.

It is very easy to collect frequent flyer points with your Alternative Airlines purchase, just check out our step-by-step frequent flyer guide.

Special Services

Passengers with Disabilities

Some passengers may require medical clearance to travel on Gulf Air. A form can be obtained online on the airline's website and can be filled in by the passenger's doctor stating that you're fit to travel.

Unaccompanied Minors

Gulf Air operates an unaccompanied minor programme on their flights. This can be booked for children aged between 5 and 11 who are travelling alone. A member of staff will meet them at the check-in desk and assist them through the airport, through the flight and to the arrival hall of the destination airport.

Passengers with Disabilities

Passengers who are flying whilst pregnant can fly up to 28 weeks without problem (although a doctor's note saying they are fit to travel is recommended). Passengers who are in their 29th to 34th week of travel need pre-approval from the Gulf Air Doctor, at least 48 hours before travelling. Passengers in their 35th or 36th week of pregnant must have the above pre-approval but also travel with a medical escort. Passengers who are 36 weeks pregnant or more are not permitted to travel.

Seat Selection

You can now pre-book Gulf Air seats with Alternative Airlines! Make sure you get to sit in your preferred seat by reserving ahead of time. Use our interactive seating map to view available seats and choose the right seat for you.

Buy Gulf Air Flights with PayPal

Did you know you can buy any Gulf Air ticket and pay with PayPal when booking via Alternative Airlines? It's really easy to buy Gulf Air flights using PayPal, simply head to checkout and select PayPal as your preferred payment option. To use PayPal all you need is an active PayPal account. Fly on any Gulf Air flight and pay with PayPal with AlternativeAirlines.com today.

Hub Airport

Bahrain International Airport

Bahrain International Airport (BAH) is located in Muharraq and is the hub for the national carrier of Bahrain Gulf Air. The airport can handle nearly 10 million passengers every year.

Bahrain International Airport has a number of dining restaurants, art galleries and shopping stores that you wander through, whilst you wait to be called to your gate. The airport has 'Pearl Lounges' that represent the best of traditional Bahraini hospitality through a modern and stylish setting. The Pear Lounges ensure that you receive a 5-star quality service during your stay.

Other airlines which fly to and from this airport include Air Arabia, Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and many others.

Fleet

Gulf Air's current fleet consists of a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft as per the table below (correct as of Feb 2022):

Alternative Airlines

Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes to Gulf Air:

Airline Alliance

Unfortunately, Gulf Air is not part of any official Airline Alliance programme. However, Gulf Air has codeshare agreements with American Airlines, EgyptAir, Philippine Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Thai Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways and more.

Gulf Air News

25th September 2022

Bahrain's Gulf Air takes home 'World's Most Improved Airline' award

Gulf Air the national carrier of the United Kingdom of Bahrain has won the Wold's Most Improved Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022. The award was given to Gulf Air due to its strategic success which the airline announced in 2018, as its goal was to become more customer-centric and become the airline choice of the region.

27th February 2020

Gulf Air suspends flights to Dubai

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, will suspend all the flights to and from Dubai for 48 hours. This announcement came after Bahrain announced to suspend flights between two destinations.

The carrier also confirmed that they will suspend all its flights to and from Iraq and Lebanon until further notice. Gulf Air apologises to the inconveniences that are caused to its passengers.

FAQs

What is Gulf Air's flight schedule?

As of March 2021, Gulf Air flies to over 50 destinations within 30 countries, however, there are plans to introduce new destinations in summer 2022, including Manchester, Rome, Nice and Milan. Flights to Milan will commence on 1st June 2022 and will fly five times a week. There will also be two flights a week to Rome and Manchester. From the 2nd June 2022, flights to Nice will commence on a twice-weekly basis.

Can I buy Gulf Air flights on finance?

Yes! When you book flights through Alternative Airlines you can secure the prices of Gulf Air flights today and spread the cost over time. We have partnered with a range of payment plan providers that let you slice the cost of flights over a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. This includes Klarna, Spotii, Uplift, Zip, TendoPay, and many more! Please note that the payment plan option available at checkout will depend on the country you reside in.

If you're a resident of Bahrain you can select Tabby or Spotii at checkout. With Tabby, you can split the cost of Gulf Air flights into 4 interest-free instalments, spread over 3 months. If you select Spotii as your preferred payment option you spread the cost of your Gulf Air flight ticket into 4 instalments, paid over 6 weeks or 4 months.