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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 49 destinations in 27 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.

Destinations

Gulf Air currently flies to over 30 countries, as per the tables below (correct of January 2020):

Baggage

Carry-on Baggage

Passengers in economy class are permitted 1 x 6 kg bag, measuring a maximum of 45 x 40 x 30 cm (17 x15 x12 inch).

Passengers travelling in the Falcon Gold class are permitted 1 x 9kg 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, passengers are allowed a personal item onboard with them. This may be items such as a laptop, purse, umbrella or book etc.

Checked Baggage

Passengers in economy (on a deal or basic fare) are permitted 1 bag weighing a maximum of 23kg.

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

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

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

Check-In Information

Online Check-in

Passengers 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. Passengers 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, passengers can often check-in 4 hours before their flight, with the check-in desk closing 1 hour before their 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. Passengers 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 passengers 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 passengers 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 passengers with meals onboard their flights. If passengers 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

For passengers in the Falcon Gold class, they will receive a recommendation for a beverage to accompany their meal, based on their meal choice. They 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

Gulf Air does not currently offer its passengers in-flight WiFi onboard.

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. Unfortunately, Gulf Air is not yet part of an airline alliance. 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 thte 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

You can buy any Gulf Air ticket with PayPal when booking via Alternative Airlines. Fly on any Gulf Air flight and with pay with PayPal using AlternativeAirlines.com.

Hub Airport

Bahrain International Airport

Bahrain International Airport 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. 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 2020):

Alternative Airlines

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

Airline Alliance

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

27 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.