Gulf Air: reviews of tourists. The national airline of Bahrain

Gulf Air Company is the national carrier of Bahrain with the most extensive route network in the Middle East. Its headquarters are located in Manama, seven kilometers from which is the only state-owned airport in Bahrain.

History

In 1950, the airline Gulf Air ("Gulf Air") was founded, but in those days it was known as a private company Gulf Aviation Company. Its tasks were transportation of oil fields in the Persian Gulf and servicing of some customers in the region.

Until 1970, the main shareholding of the carrier belonged to the British company British Overseas Aircraft Corporation. But gradually the shares of the company "Gulf Air" were purchased, and today it belongs to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The management of the airline always aspired 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 chosen as the best air carrier in the Asia-Pacific region.

In 2010, the airline's website has a new service for registering for the flight, as well as other various online services aimed at improving the quality of customer service. At the same time, the program of a single reservation for frequent flyers starts.

In 2014, passengers were able to make a direct flight from the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Russian Federation by Gulf Air (Moscow / Domodedovo-Manama / Bahrain).

Currently, "Gulf Air" is on the list of the 60 safest air carrier of the planet.

Directions

Today, the company "Gulf Air" is flying 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 is the punctuality of Gulf Air flights (reviews and statistics for 2013).

Offering convenient connections to international destinations, Gulf Air helps turn Bahrain's airport into a strategically important interchange hub in the Middle East. Choosing a pass-through tariff, a passenger gets a free stay in the hotel of Bahrain, if there are more than 8 hours left before the connecting flight.

Air fleet

Today, the aircraft carrier fleet consists of European "Airbus" (from A319 to A340), American "Boeing" (737-700) and Brazilian "Embraers" E-170. About 6 years - the average age of air transport Gulf Air. The feedback of passengers who often use the services of this carrier, confirm that all the planes look new.

Norms of luggage and hand luggage

For all "Gulf Air" flights there is a uniform weighted standard of hand luggage and luggage.

Adults and children over 2 years of age:

• Economy class - 30 kg;
• Business class - 40 kg.

For children under 2 years (without a seat) the baggage allowance is 10 kg plus a child seat for a car or a folding stroller.

One piece of luggage in size should not exceed 95 × 75 × 45 cm, by weight - 32 kg.

Adults and children over 2 years old can take with them to the salon:

• Economic class - 6 kg, one place in size not more than 45 × 40 × 30 cm;
• Business class - 9 kg, one place in size not more than 55 × 40 × 30 cm, 2 nd place - not more than 45 × 40 × 30 cm.

Infants are placed in the salon of one seat weighing a maximum of 3 kg and a size of not more than 44 × 35 × 20 cm.

In addition, without taking into account the weight in the aircraft cabin, it is allowed to take:

• Bag with documents;
• A handbag;
• purse;
• Pocket book;
• a laptop;
• Camera or binoculars;
• Cane or umbrella;
• Outer clothing;
• baby food;
• Folding wheelchair for the disabled.

check in

On the flights of the airline "Gulf Air" you can register via the Internet in advance. It opens on the airline's website online on the day before the flight and ends in 1.5 hours. With self-registration, it is possible to determine the place on the plane and indicate the presence of baggage.

Loyalty program

The airline has a loyal loyalty program Falcon Flyer, according to which often flying customers accumulate miles, and then spend them on a variety of privileges. For example, the airport of Bahrain provides some participants of the program the opportunity to use the services of the VIP-hall Falcon Cold Lounge.

To join the club of loyal passengers and accumulate miles, you need to fill out a form on the website "Gulf Air".

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, the Russian tourist was able to use Bahrain's international airport as a transfer hub to the countries of 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 tickets in the direction Moscow-Manama in the spring. During this period, the cost of round trip is a little more than 30 000 rubles. By the end of summer and in autumn, the average price of air tickets tends to 35,000 rubles and more.

Early booking of airline tickets allows you to save money, as there are significant discounts and special offers are available.

To service the Moscow-Manama flight, the A320ER airbus was chosen, designed for 96 passengers in the economy class and 14 passengers in the business class.

Business class armchairs can be transformed into a full bed, the length of which is 1.8 meters. Economy class armchairs have an increased legroom.

The flight is on schedule, 4 times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). According to the approved schedule of the GF14 flight, the Gulf Air aircraft on the Manama-Moscow route leaves from the state of Bahrain at 8:50, in the opposite direction from Domodedovo the plane leaves at 14:50. Flight time is about 5 hours.

Passenger Reviews

The airline has recently come to the Russian market, having opened only one direction so far. Probably, for this reason in the runet about Gulf Air reviews are not so common.

In most cases, passengers leave positive comments about their flights with the company "Gulf Air." They note a good airplane park and comfortable interior with high-quality interior trim, comfortable distance between the seats and entertainment systems in the back of the passenger seat.

Also liked the stewardesses offered by snacks, hot dishes and drinks. Passengers characterize meals on board with the following definitions: delicious, chic, exquisite and natural.

Many customers of the airline are ready to put to it the highest score for the service.

But some passengers do not recommend flying with Gulf Air. Their feedback is based on their own negative experience, which they acquired using its services. Despite the fact that the carrier has a statistically high percentage of punctual flights, many complain about the delay of specific flights.

In general, the Gulf Air's entrance to the Russian market is interesting for tourists, since it is not only a new independent direction, but also another transit point on the way to the cities of Asia and the Middle East.