Promo Radar™
List of promotions, sales, and discounts as announced by airlines.
We are currently monitoring over 150 carriers, including Gulf Air.
updated November 27, 2023
What is the best time to book Gulf Air flights?
The best time to book international Gulf Air flights is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) is 4–6 months before takeoff. For Gulf Air domestic flights within Bahrain, making a reservation from 4 to 8 weeks in advance is recommended.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches.Airlines such as Gulf Air use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Gulf Air start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – the airline typically starts by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights with Gulf Air, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, the airline starts dropping prices to stimulate demand. It may also offer promotions and sales (especially for flights departing from its hub in Bahrain International Airport BAH). This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. The Bahraini airline charges higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
Select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight to save on airfare. Gulf Air often offers discounts on their first morning flight (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by Gulf Air for dates it expects to be popular. Avoid the high season during summer and major holidays, including holidays in the country you’re flying to.
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Why is Gulf Air so cheap on ATC?
Gulf Air can be extremely cheap when you seize opportunities such as ‘mistake fares‘, sudden price drops, sales and promotions or employ strategies like hidden city ticketing. Moreover, Gulf Air flights associated with their main Bahraini hub airport — Bahrain International Airport BAH — are typically priced lower due to the benefits of economies of scale and streamlined operations.
Air Traveler Club has a team of experts who diligently monitor for price reductions, promotional offers (often not widely advertised), under-the-radar airline sales, and other potential savings on flights. In the case of Gulf Air, we particularly focus on tracking prices for flights originating from their Manama hub.
These valuable findings are then promptly relayed to our subscribers as exclusive SuperDeals.
Gulf Air reviews 2023,A.I. summary
We let the A.I. analyze thousands of Gulf Air reviews for an averaged, more accurate rating and opinion. Please note: this is an experimental feature.
Overall rating
| Baggage handling | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|
| Seat comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Food | ★★★☆☆ |
| Entertainment | ★★★☆☆ |
| Crew | ★★★☆☆ |
| Customer support | ★★★☆☆ |
Is Gulf Air a good airline?
Gulf Air is a good airline with a good reputation. They have secured a 3-star rating, reflecting the quality of their onboard amenities and services, as well as their commitment to punctuality.
Passengers frequently report comfortable and enjoyable flights, although, like many airlines, Gulf Air isn’t immune to the occasional delay or cancellation. While some have raised concerns about aircraft cleanliness, these reports do not overshadow the overall positive image of the airline.
Strengths
- On-time performance: Gulf Air is generally praised for its timeliness, with many passengers appreciating its adherence to flight schedules.
- Comfortable seating: The airline is frequently commended for the comfort of its seats across all cabin classes.
- Quality of food: Passengers often speak positively about the quality of food served onboard, noting that it exceeds their expectations for airline meals.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistencies in customer service: While many passengers receive excellent service, some have reported inconsistent experiences, particularly with handling complaints and issues.
- Cleanliness of aircraft: Some passengers have expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the aircraft. These complaints vary but have included instances of unclean restrooms or seating areas.
- In-flight entertainment: Although the in-flight entertainment is generally satisfactory, there have been complaints about the lack of variety and the outdatedness of the system.
Passenger's experience
Is Gulf Air a budget airline?
No, Gulf Air is not a budget airline but a traditional, full-service carrier. It is one of the largest airlines in Bahrain, and it offers a broad spectrum of services that distinguish it from budget airlines. These include free checked baggage, complimentary meals and beverages (even in Economy), on-board amenities (blankets, pillows, sometimes noise-cancelling headphones) on long-haul flights, and a wide range of in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, Gulf Air provides multiple travel classes, such as Economy, Business — each with varying levels of comfort, space, and amenities. In contrast, budget airlines typically offer only Economy class with minimal benefits.
What can I expect when flying with Gulf Air?
When flying with Gulf Air, you can expect reliable on-time performance, comfortable seating, and good-quality food.
Gulf Air provides seats with adequate legroom across all cabin classes, contributing to a comfortable flight experience. The airline serves a variety of delicious meals onboard, often exceeding passengers’ expectations.
However, there might be some inconsistencies in customer service and the cleanliness of the aircraft. Also, while the airline offers in-flight entertainment, some passengers have noted that it could use more variety and updates. In general, Gulf Air is committed to providing a pleasant travel experience for its passengers.
What are the seating options?
Gulf Air provides various seating options based on the class of service:
- Economy Class: Gulf Air’s Economy Class offers comfortable seating with adjustable headrests and footrests. The seats are equipped with a personal entertainment system and an array of in-flight amenities.
- Falcon Gold Class: This is Gulf Air’s premium class offering. Passengers can expect spacious seating that can be converted into a fully flat bed. The seats are equipped with a large personal entertainment screen and enhanced privacy features. In addition, Falcon Gold passengers receive access to Gulf Air’s premium lounges at select airports.
Is Gulf Air economy comfortable?
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, offers a comfortable economy-class experience for passengers.
The level of comfort can vary depending on factors such as the aircraft model and seat configuration. However, Gulf Air strives to provide a range of services and amenities to enhance the overall comfort of economy-class passengers. These include decent seat comfort with sufficient legroom and adjustable seatbacks.
Passengers can enjoy in-flight entertainment systems featuring a selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games. Additionally, complimentary meals and beverages are served during the flight, with the quality and variety of meals dependent on the flight duration and route.
How to get an extra legroom seat on Gulf Air plane?
Securing an extra legroom seat on a Gulf Air plane requires some planning and flexibility, but you can easily score one of these seats by familiarizing yourself with the cabin layout and checking in for your flight early. You may also consider paying for an upgrade to a seat with ample legroom and enhanced comfort.
As the location of the extra legroom seats varies depending on the aircraft, we recommend visiting the SeatGuru website. By simply entering your Gulf Air flight number, you can access a detailed seat map specific to your flight. Hover over individual seats to identify those with ample legroom. They are often found in exit rows, bulkhead rows (the first row in each cabin section), or other designated areas that offer additional legroom.
Due to their desirable features, the preferred seats are in high demand. They are often limited in number and typically incur additional fees. Seats with extra legroom located in front and exit rows ("hot seats") are priced higher. However, for medium– and long–haul flights, the additional cost of $10-$50 may be worth the increased comfort. Hot seats typically provide at least 36 inches of legroom (4-6 inches more than standard economy seats), wider seat pitch, and may also have adjustable footrests and recline further back.
Paying for an extra legroom seat is usually a more affordable option than upgrading to a Premium Economy.
What is the baggage allowance?
Gulf Air’s baggage allowances are as follows:
- Economy Class: Usually 30kg (66lb) checked baggage allowance, with a maximum 6kg (13lb) weight for hand luggage. Students traveling in Economy Class receive an additional 9kg (20lb) allowance.
- Falcon Gold (Business Class): Typically 40kg (88lb) checked baggage allowance, with a 9kg (20lb) weight limit for hand luggage. Students in Falcon Gold receive additional free check-in baggage of a maximum of 23kg (50lb).
Infants under 2 years old are allowed 15kg (33lb) of checked baggage, a collapsible stroller/pushchair, and an infant car seat.
Does Gulf Air have Wi-Fi?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available on Gulf Air’s Airbus A330-300 and A350 aircraft. Gulf Air offers two Wi-Fi pass options:
- A 24-hour pass costs $12.99.
- A 48-hour pass costs $24.99.
Does Gulf Air have refundable tickets?
Gulf Air offers the following refund options:
- Economy Light: Refunds are available for a fee. Passengers in this fare class can request a refund, but it will be subject to a fee.
- Economy Smart: Refunds are available for a lower fee. Passengers in this fare class have the option to request a refund, and the associated fee will be relatively lower compared to other fare classes.
- Economy Flex: Refunds are available for the lowest fee. Passengers in this fare class have the most flexible refund option, with the lowest fee applicable for refund requests.
- Falcon Gold Smart: Refunds are available for a fee. Passengers in this fare class can request a refund, but it will be subject to a fee.
- Falcon Gold Flex: Refunds are available for the lowest fee. Passengers in this fare class have the most flexible refund option, with the lowest fee applicable for refund requests.
How do I obtain my Gulf Air boarding pass?
Gulf Air boarding pass is a travel document that contains crucial information about your flight, confirms your seat and allows you to board the plane. It includes the passenger’s name, flight number, boarding time, boarding zone, gate number, seat number, and other essential flight details. The Gulf Air boarding pass can be in paper or electronic format. The boarding pass is issued during check-in — online on the airline's website (usually available 24 hours before the flight), its mobile app (mobile boarding pass) or at the airport. You can print your boarding pass at home or use a mobile app to store the digital boarding pass on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can check in at the airport, where the airline's representative will issue the boarding pass for you.
How to check Gulf Air flight status?
If you have the flight number at hand, you can conveniently check the Gulf Air flight status on the airline’s website. Visit the flight status page to get the reliable information regarding the scheduled and actual departure and arrival times.
There are several online platforms where you can check the status of Gulf Air flight: FlightRadar24, FlightStats, or FlightAware. They offer comprehensive information about any flight (regardless of the airline) – including real-time flight tracking.
Alternatively, input your flight number directly into Google's search bar. Drawing data from diverse sources (including the airlines themselves), Google will provide you with all the crucial flight information right on the search results page.
Gulf Air shortcuts
Essential links to Gulf Air official website.
Gulf Air flight booking
Search Gulf Air flights and book your Economy, Business class ticket online.
Online check-in
How to check-in and receive your Gulf Air boarding pass?
Gulf Air baggage policy
Learn about checked and hand luggage regulations on Gulf Air flights.
Flexible tickets
Want to change your flight? Gulf Air flexible booking offer and policies.
Refunds and cancellations
Guidelines on returning a Gulf Air ticket and getting your money back.
Gulf Air help & support
Get in touch with the airline: customer service numbers, call centers, offices, and more.
Why are Gulf Air flights so expensive in 2023?
Airfares soared in 2023. Gulf Air flights are more expensive now due to rising demand, limited supply, inflation, fuel prices, closed airspace, and increased operational costs.
One key factor within your control is the timing of your booking. To save money on travel, it’s wise to plan ahead – the best time to book international flights with Gulf Air is between 2 to 8 months before your departure date.
The primary elements that impact the cost of flights:
- Rising demand With more people traveling in the post-pandemic era, airlines have no incentive to lower prices. Instead, they capitalize on spiked demand and raise prices to make up for lost revenue during the period of 2020-2022.
- Limited supply In 2023 Gulf Air is still operating at reduced capacity after the pandemic. Staffing shortages of pilots, plane crew, and airport workers lead to flight cancellations and delays, affecting the supply even more. With fewer flights, the Bahraini carrier charges more for the plane tickets that are available.
- Inflation Inflation has a significant impact on flight prices, as it directly increases the cost of fuel and labor for airlines. This can be particularly true for Gulf Air that operates in countries with high inflation rates.
- Jet fuel costs Fuel is a significant airline cost, influenced by crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. To cope with rising fuel prices, the airline may pass it on to travelers in the form of a fuel surcharge added to the ticket price.
- Closed airspace Avoiding airspace due to war, political conflicts, extreme weather, or natural disasters make airline tickets more expensive. Gulf Air may be forced to take longer routes to reach the destination airport – which means higher fuel and labor costs.
- Gulf Air operating costs The costs of labor, aircraft maintenance, aircraft leasing or purchasing expenses, marketing, etc. significantly increased in 2023. As Gulf Air aims to remain profitable, it must factor in these operating costs when setting ticket prices.
- Will flight prices go down in 2023?Historical trends suggest that airfare prices will fluctuate based on the factors described above. As long as the demand for travel is up, so is airfare. After tough years the Gulf Air is in no position to offer discounts for passengers and will likely try to maximize profits in 2023.
Gulf Air price history charts
and price-drop alerts
Understanding past airfare trends for your chosen Gulf Air flight route can help you forecast future prices and identify ideal booking times.
Google Flights is one of the best tools that provide access to price history — it tracks airfare fluctuations, predicts price changes based on historical data, and helps to pinpoint optimal booking times. In addition to viewing price history charts, you can set up price alerts for Gulf Air flights via email — and catch price drops as they happen.
While the tracking tools provide valuable insights on Gulf Air price history, they cannot guarantee future prices. They are also usually restricted to one particular route. For regular updates on price drops and deals across various popular destinations (holiday ideas!), consider Air Traveler Club — it’s free to join.
Gulf Air tips
How to ensure smooth transit between Gulf Air connecting flights
Before your trip, research your connecting airport. Familiarize yourself with its layout, terminals, amenities, and the location of your connecting gate. This will save you time and stress during your layover. Every airport has a minimum connection time — make sure your layover is longer than this minimum time.
Additionally:
- You may need to move between terminals if you have a connecting flight with a different airline or separate point-to-point tickets with Gulf Air. Each flight may require individual check-in procedures and an additional pass through security. As your luggage may not be automatically transferred to your final destination, you’ll need to retrieve your bags and check them in again for your subsequent flight.
- When flights are booked on separate tickets, Gulf Air is not responsible if you miss your connection due to a delay with the first flight. Allow plenty of buffer time between flights to account for any potential delays.
- Gate assignments can change. Regularly check the flight information boards to ensure you’re in the right place.
- If your airport connection is tight (1-hour layover or less), pick a set near the front of the plane. It can shave 5–10 minutes off your deplaning time, especially on larger planes. Consider purchasing “hot seats” if available on your plane — they cost extra, but it may be worth it.
- When flying domestically, try not to book the last flight out of your connecting airport. In case of a cancellation, the airline will put you on its next flight, but it will require an overnight stay and arrival a day later.
- Flights can be delayed or canceled. Have a backup plan in case you miss your connecting flight. Know your rights and the Gulf Air policy on missed connections.
Booking group flights with Gulf Air
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights with Gulf Air can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the group size and travel dates and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Gulf Air website typically limits automatic group bookings to 9 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline directly.
A travel agent may be better if you want more personalized service. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates for Gulf Air and can help with logistics and scheduling.