- 3.1 Popular destinations
- 5.1 Economy
- 5.2 Falcon Gold
Gulf Air history
The founder of the airline was British pilot and entrepreneur Freddie Bosworth. In the mid-twentieth century, he provided air cab services from Bahrain to Dhahran and Doha.
In 1950, he established the first commercial airline in the Middle East, Gulf Aviation. The fleet consisted of 7 British Avro Anson multi-purpose aircraft and 3 De Havilland DH-86B biplanes.
After the death of Freddie Bosworth in 1951 (he died at an air show), 22% of the company’s shares were transferred to the British carrier BOAC. In 1973, the authorities of Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Abu Dhabi bought Gulf Aviation, dividing the shares equally (25% of each monarchy), and changed the name of the airline to Gulf Air.
In the 1970s, the fleet is updated – introduced passenger wide-body Lockheed L-1011 TriStar and narrow-body Boeing 737. Route network of the airline expands to Amsterdam, Athens, Hong Kong, Paris and other cities.
In 1980, Gulf Air joins IATA and launches flights to Frankfurt, Riyadh, Damascus and later to Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne and Pakistan.
In 2003, Gulf Air appears in the branded loyalty program – Falcon Frequent Flyer. And in 2007, the sole owner of the airline becomes the Kingdom of Bahrain (in 2002, Qatar left the capital, later – Abu Dhabi and Oman). The authorities expand the fleet of modern aircraft Airbus A320neo and A321neo.
Today Gulf Air is one of the largest airlines in the Middle East (second only to Emirates).
Gulf Air’s fleet of planes
Gulf Air’s fleet includes 31 planes. A total of 5 models are represented:
- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – 7 planes (+3 ordered);
- Airbus A321neo – 6 planes (+3 ordered);
- Airbus A320neo – 6 planes (+6 ordered);
- Airbus 321ER – 4 planes;
- Airbus 320-200 – 8 planes.
| Model | Assignment | Number of passengers transported | Business class availability |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Passenger | 282 | Available |
| Airbus A321neo | 166 | ||
| Airbus A320neo | 136 or 150* | ||
| Airbus 321ER | 169 | ||
| Airbus 320-200 | 136 |
* There are 2 versions of Airbus A320neo – for 136 and 150 passenger seats.
Guld Air flight destinations
Gulf Air’s only direct flight to Russia connects the capitals of both countries – Manama and Moscow (Domodedovo). Flights from Moscow to other cities have a connection at Bahrain International Airport (BAN).
Popular destinations
- Russia – UAE. Route: Moscow (DME) – Manama (WAN) – Dubai (DXB). The flight from Russia to Bahrain takes about 6 hours, from Bahrain to UAE – 1 hr. 25 min. Total travel time without taking into account the connection is about 7 hours.
- Russia – India. Route: Moscow (DME) – Manama (WAN) – Delhi (DEL). Total travel time – about 10.5 hours (excluding transfers).
- Russia – Thailand. Route: Moscow (DME) – Manama (WAN) – Bangkok (BKK). Total travel time is about 18 hours.
Service classes
Gulf Air offers 2 classes of service:
Business Class passengers are located at the front of the plane. Depending on the airliner model, there may be from 8 to 26 high comfort seats. Economy Class passengers are located in the middle and tail of the plane.
Service Features
- Increased seat pitch from 1 to 2.2;
- Horizontal seats with flat bed;
- Adjustable headrests (6 positions);
- Additional storage compartments for your belongings;
- Entertainment panel with a wide diagonal (up to 22 inches) and privacy screen;
- Wi-Fi;
- USB ports and power supply.
- Bed preparation for sleep (for overnight flights);
- Premium meals (you can order special meals – gluten-free or vegan dishes, halal food, etc.);
- Falcon Gold Lounge with additional amenities (free Wi-Fi, refreshments, showers);
- Movies, TV shows and music during the flight.
- The standard seat pitch (about 76-80 cm);
- Regular reclining chairs;
- Folding adjustable headrests;
- Entertainment screen with a narrow diagonal (9-12 inches);
- Wi-Fi;
- USB ports and power supply.
- Complimentary meals and drinks (depending on the length of the flight – snacks or full breakfast);
- Movies and music during the flight.
Each service class has separate fares within it – you can use them to get additional options and increase the flexibility of your trip.
Economy
- Light – 1 piece of luggage, 50% “miles” accrued, flight changes and ticket refunds under standard conditions, choice of a seat on the plane for an additional fee;
- Smart – 2 pieces of luggage, 75% “miles” accrued, flight changes and refunds at a reduced price, free choice of a standard seat on the plane;
- Flex – 2 pieces of luggage, 125% mileage accrual, flight changes and refunds at the lowest possible price, free choice of plane seat with extra legroom.
Falcon Gold
- Smart – 2 pieces of luggage, 200% accrued miles, flight changes and ticket refunds under standard conditions, free choice of plane seat, priority check-in, boarding and baggage delivery;
- Flex – 2 pieces of luggage, 250% mileage accrual, free flight changes and full refunds, free seat selection on the plane, priority check-in, boarding and baggage delivery.
Airline loyalty programs
Gulf Air’s loyalty program is called FalconFlyer. It allows you to accumulate loyalty points and “miles” for flights and enjoy special privileges depending on the level. There are 4 of them in total:
- An extra 15 kilograms of luggage;
- +25% to “miles”;
- Guaranteed boarding in economy (in case of overbooking);
- Priority on the waiting list over regular passengers;
- Access to the Falcon Gold lounge (VIP lounge) even for economy passengers;
- Prioritize baggage handling.
- Additional baggage allowance of 23 kg extra;
- +50% to miles;
- Free choice of seats for the flight;
- Access to the VIP lounges for the customer and their companion (even if the ticket is in economy).
- Additional 32 kg excess baggage allowance;
- +75% to ”miles”;
- One-time complimentary cabin upgrade to Falcon Gold;
- Access to the VIP lounges for the customer and two companions (even if tickets are in economy);
- Expedited inspection.
What you can spend ”miles” on:
- Ticket Purchase;
- Upgrade to Falcon Gold;
- Payment for excess baggage allowance;
- Falcon Gold lounge pass.
Baggage rules and regulations
Each passenger is entitled to carry hand baggage (size and weight depend on the class of service) and baggage. FalconFlyer loyalty program members can carry an additional 15 kg (Silver), 23 kg (Gold) or 32 kg (Black). Personal items such as handbags, purses, umbrellas, crutches and wheelchairs are not subject to additional fees.
Plane check-in instructions
Plane tickets can be purchased on Gulf Air’s website or on aggregator sites. You need to select the route, departure date, class of service and fare, enter passenger details and pay for the ticket. All information will come to email.
On the flights of the airline can be registered online and offline. Online check-in starts 24 hours before departure, you can choose seats on the plane and get a boarding pass.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can go straight to the baggage drop-off counter. Offline check-in takes place at the check-in counters and starts 2-3 hours before the flight. Here you also drop off your luggage.
After check-in you have to pass through immigration and security control and wait for the flight departure in the lounge (for VIP passengers – in a separate Falcon Gold lounge). To board the plane you need to show your boarding pass.
