Gulf Air Company is the national airline of Bahrain with the most extensive route network in the Middle East. Its headquarters is located in Manama, seven kilometers from which is the only Bahrain airport in the state.
History
Gulf Air (Gulf Air) was founded in 1950, but in those days it was known as the private company Gulf Aviation Company. Its tasks were transportation of oil fields in the Persian Gulf and serving some customers in the region.
Until 1970, the main stake in the airline belonged to the British company British Overseas Aircraft Corporation. But gradually, the shares of Gulf Air were redeemed, and today it belongs to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The airline management has always sought to be the first in its business. To do this, it expanded the geography of flights, gradually covering more and more new regions: Australia (1990), Rome (1993), Zanzibar (1993), Jakarta (1993), Nepal (1998).
In 2004, Gulf Air was selected as the best air carrier in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2010, a new flight check-in service appeared on the airline’s website , as well as various other online services aimed at improving the quality of customer service. At the same time, a unified reservation program for frequently flying customers starts.
In 2014, passengers were given the opportunity to make a direct flight from the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Russian Federation on Gulf Air planes (Moscow / Domodedovo - Manama / Bahrain).
Gulf Air is currently on the list of 60 of the planet's safest air carriers.
Directions
Today, Gulf Air operates flights to 43 cities in 24 countries located on three continents of the globe. It has the widest map of routes in the Middle East. 93 percent are punctual Gulf Air flights ( 2013 reviews and statistics).
Offering convenient connections to international destinations, Gulf Air helps transform Bahrain Airport into a strategically important interchange hub in the Middle East. Choosing a pass-through fare, a passenger receives free accommodation at a Bahrain hotel if more than 8 hours are left before the connecting flight.
Air fleet
Today, the air carrier’s fleet consists of European Airbus (from A319 to A340), American Boeing (737-700) and Brazilian Embraers E-170. About 6 years is the average age of air transport Gulf Air. The reviews of passengers who often use the services of this carrier confirm that all planes look new.
Baggage allowance and hand luggage
For all Gulf Air flights, there is a single weight standard for hand luggage and baggage.
Adults and children over 2 years:
- economy class - 30 kg;
- business class - 40 kg.
For children under 2 years of age (without a seat), the baggage allowance is 10 kg plus a child seat for a car or a folding stroller.
One piece of baggage should not exceed 95 × 75 × 45 cm in size and 32 kg in weight.
Adults and children over 2 years old can take with them to the salon:
- economic class - 6 kg, one place in size no more than 45 × 40 × 30 cm;
- business class - 9 kg, one place in size no more than 55 × 40 × 30 cm, 2nd place - no more than 45 × 40 × 30 cm.
Infants are entitled to one seat weighing a maximum of 3 kg and not exceeding 44 × 35 × 20 cm in size.
Additionally, excluding weight, it is allowed to take into the aircraft cabin:
- bag with documents;
- handbag;
- wallet;
- pocket book;
- a laptop;
- camera or binoculars;
- cane or umbrella;
- outerwear;
- baby food;
- folding wheelchair for the disabled.
registration
Gulf Air flights can be checked in online in advance. It opens on the airline’s website online the day before departure and ends in 1.5 hours. With self check-in, it is possible to determine the place on the plane and indicate the presence of baggage.
Loyalty program
The airline has a Falcon Flyer loyalty program , according to which often flying customers accumulate miles, and then spend them on a variety of privileges. For example, Bahrain Airport provides some program participants with the opportunity to use the services of the Falcon Cold Lounge VIP lounge.
To join the club of loyal passengers and accumulate miles, you need to fill out a form on the Gulf Air website.
Representation in Russia
In October 2014, Gulf Air, the national air carrier of Bahrain, opened its representative office in the Russian Federation. With the launch of the direct flight Moscow - Manama, a Russian tourist got the opportunity to use Bahrain's international airport as a connecting hub to countries in Asia and the Middle East.
Manama Airport is ready to offer passengers traveling from Russia more than 10 transit routes, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Delhi and Mumbai.
The price of air tickets depends on the season. Cheapest flights from Moscow to Manama in the spring. During this period, the fare there and back is a little more than 30,000 rubles. By the end of summer and autumn, the average price of air tickets tends to 35,000 rubles and higher.
Early booking of airline tickets allows you to save money, as there are significant discounts and special offers.
For service of the flight Moscow - Manama, the Airbus A320ER was selected , designed for 96 passengers in the economy class and 14 passengers in the business class.
Business class chairs can be transformed into a full bed, the length of which is 1.8 meters. Economy chairs have extra legroom.
The flight is scheduled, 4 times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). According to the approved schedule of flight GF14, the Gulf Air plane departs from the state of Bahrain at 8 hours 50 minutes on the Manama – Moscow route, and the plane leaves from Domodedovo at 14:50. Flight time is about 5 hours.
Passenger reviews
The airline relatively recently entered the Russian market, having opened so far only one direction. Perhaps for this reason in RuNet about Gulf Air reviews are not so common.
In most cases, passengers leave positive comments about their flights with Gulf Air. They note a good fleet of aircraft and a comfortable cabin with high-quality interior decoration, a comfortable distance between seats and entertainment systems in the passenger seatback.
We also liked the snacks, hot dishes and drinks offered by the flight attendants. Passengers characterize meals on board with the following definitions: delicious, chic, refined and natural.
Many airline customers are ready to give her the highest score for the service.
But some passengers do not recommend flying with Gulf Air. Their reviews are based on their own negative experience, which they gained using its services. Despite the fact that the carrier statistics has a rather high percentage of punctuality of flights, many complain about the delay of specific flights.
In general, tourists are interested in Gulf Air entering the Russian market, as this is not only a new independent destination, but also another transshipment point on the way to the cities of Asia and the Middle East.