Gulf Air

FRA-BAH-IFN. FRA-BAH on new A330 BAH-IFN on Embraer 170. Both flights pleasant despite being almost 100% full. I found crew hard-working and friendly (on FRA flights they offered beverages at least 4 times and trays and cups collected regularly). The food on the first flight was excellent and seats were comfortable. Only negative points : the plane was very cold when we boarded it and that didn't improve much during the flight (fortunately they handed out blankets generously) and the IFE system for my seat was not working properly. BAH is a small and convenient airport.

Muscat to Colombo via Bahrain economy class. Muscat to Bahrain flight was ok. Bahrain to Colombo flight was very poor quality in cabin staff service. They served the dinner after dinner the cabin crew were very reluctant to collect empty trays. I saw most of the passengers sitting uncomfortably they were unable to move or go to even for toilets.

BKK-BAH-LHR. I bought this flight from Bangkok International airport the day before departure I needed to get home fairly quickly so settled for this airline which was a bit of a mistake. The flight was a little late leaving but its rare to depart exactly on time. The plane was old and dirty and seats not very comfortable. I am a very tall guy so I must have extra leg room which they were more than happy to arrange - but there were plenty of spare seats so if your on the ball you can grab a whole row and lay across I was not so lucky the seats were quite narrow too. The food was terrible I couldn't eat half of it as its catered for middle-eastern people. Their prices are good and it shows - if you don't care about food and cleanliness then its fine but I wouldn't fly with them again if I had the choice. The staff were friendly but you rarely see them only to give you food and you don't get any free drinks only with a meal. Bahrain airport is nice and clean with shops and restaurants if you want to eat there (McDonalds etc). Overall a budget international airline.

DOH-BAH-CDG return in business class. We got the flat bed seats because we paid the J class fare IFE was old and terrible the food was not good on outbound but much better on the return flight. Seat was okay at best though the width was nice.

Islamabad to Cairo Via Bahrain. Flight from Islamabad to Bahrain was full food was insipid. Crew seen only during food serving. Bahrain to Cairo flight was little better service wise and food wise. Same thing on the way back on Dec 31st. this is a below average airline.

Does anyone know what's going on with Gulf Air pricing as of late? I complained a few months back that they were raising their prices for Bahrain-Bangkok in Falcon Gold (Business/First) and the response being the smart business people they are in Gulf Air was to raise them up even more! Previously was around 6-700 Dinars return Bahrain-Bangkok. Now it is running 650 Dinars one way! More than 1400 Dinars return. I checked Bahrain to London and it is running 750 Dinars - one way. I thought it might be due to upgrading costs for the Falcon Gold cabin but they are pricing themselves out of the game and still using the same tired A340s maybe spruced up a bit but I don't know as I'm now avoiding Gulf and their price gouging like the plague. Qatar Airways Business class is still reasonable around 6-700 Dinars return if you don't mind the short turn around in Doha between Bahrain and Bangkok. My mate did it last week and said it was good. Anyone have any idea what Gulf Air's twisted business plan is?

KUL-BAH-CAI trip outward pretty good A340. Food okay but not the best. Service good. GF need to maintain their seats the entertainment system was broken. Trip back was horrible and disappointing. A340 CAI-BAH delayed 4-5 hours BAH-KUL was seated in middle air conditioning wasn't adequate and hottest plane ever flew! There were not enough blankets for all passengers so they had to increase the heat! Saw one passenger asking for blanket and was turned down nut they were later found in an overhead compartment! Food good with turkey served xmas day. But what's the point when I was boiled up to the point I couldn't even go to sleep and had to walk to the galley to get some air?

LHR-BAH 26 December. Skyteam lounge in Terminal 4 is good a little tatty perhaps but the buffet was decent. Self-serve champagne and a decent selection of very cold wines. Flight was pretty ordinary. IFE is poor - half a dozen films on a loop with rubbish image quality so they have started handing out personal media players which are preloaded with a dozen movies and music etc. The standard of service was very good - real care and attention to detail. Food excellent - turkey for Christmas champagne served throughout. Planes are pretty tatty and the prices no better than Emirates or Qatar Airways so even though staff get top marks and the food was good I would never recommend Gulf Air over these two airlines.

BEY-BAH-KUL: BEY-BAH dinner was excellent. BAH-KUL FAs did excellent job. Dinner was wonderful and the 2nd meal prior to arrival is far superior to the grilled vegetarian sandwich they served on the way to Bahrain!

KUL-BAH-BEY. Things better now that GF has introduced their A332 instead of their ancient A340. Seat pitch is a little bit more generous. The 2nd meal before arrival into BAH was simply disgusting - it seems that nobody wanted their sandwich! The meal to BEY was great. Despite Gulf Air's inconsistent quality I find crew professional and dedicated. Their fares are also an attraction for me.