Great video - Apex are a great seat for a 2x2 config, but as you observed the seats are narrow- I remember flying them many years ago when they were regarded very highly with even an onboard Chef
As a fellow aviator , your channel is just absolutely great - the soothing voice, the beautiful background music, the content , the landings , the sound of the engines ! ❤❤❤ can’t get enough ! Did you spend much time in Bahrain or just a layover ?
The flag carrier of Bahrain might be alien to a lot of people and you have made a well-documented video to dissect its services on a medium-haul flight Patrick! Keep up the great work as your channel is so underrated.
Pretty interesting how family friendly airports are internationally. Even the lounge offers a kids area. These things are practically unheard of at US airports
Hey patrick, i think you missed a spot at bahrain airport that infact particularly sells bahraini souvenirs, its called "souq al qasaria". I've shoped many from there from my recent visit.
Hi! Thanks first of all for this wonderful report. Thanks! I am a Black Card Member with GF and recognize it all. My route is always BKK-BAH-FRA-BAH BKK. The best guy in the lounge is the bar tender from the Philippines - I talk to him every time I am there. Thanks again and all the best greetings and wished from Frank
It would be beneficial to include a head-to-head comparison between Gulf Air's lounge and the amenities available in this lounge, as well as those in the airport in general, with those of a typical lounge or airline in a major US airport to establish a benchmark. And I already have a good idea who will come out on top!
Fair point. United’s Polaris and American’s Flagship First lounges are definitely better than this space, although idk about Delta One lounges. I guess I’ll find out in a few days. Gulf Air’s space is new but it lacks the diversity of spaces that other lounges have
Nice one Patrick. Yea Gulf Air seems kind of dirty outside and in from what I could see. I don't like that seat configuration. Well correction on that I'm not a fan of it, but makes sense if traveling with your better half so you can sit together, but still have your own space. Now I'm Canadian and if they flew from my main airport YYZ and depending on price and them revamping their services and extras then sure I'd take them. Qatar, Etihad, Emirates all have great price plans and services here from what I see and hear. So the main thing would be PRICE/SERVICE/CLEANLINESS. All the best stay safe and stay HIGH in the sky .
'shanking out a drive and takin out a family below' #smh the papaya/shrimp salad looked super tasty(!) many pluses in this cabin incl. unobstructed aisle access, free wi-fi, super private vibe and unlocked windows, which ALMOST make the non-existent vents and that one missing window forgivable #almost btw factoid segments r jess slayin and tbh bang-4-buck pricing is no doubt attractive
14:32, Really on Gulf air's full service airline? No way, wow. 14:38, Same when I flew Zipair from Honolulu to Narita for the 1st time last month, wifi is free for the whole flight, but the wifi is slow because it's almost a full flight, wow, interesting.
When flying to USA, they use American Airlines, but you do not get AA miles fir that as it is not marketed as a AA file, even though it is code share. Not good if you accumulate mileage on AA. I like the 2-2-2 Apex configuration as it has direct aisle access and the footwell is very wide, better than others with narrow ones. The service and airport are very nice, but they still have obnoxious flight pursers who can be quite rude.
The reason why Emirates, Qatar and Etihad have done better than GFA so far is because they don’t just sell their onboard hard and soft service, but their main hub cities as well. With Emirates, a lot of their marketing involves the city of Dubai, Qatar’s play is on Doha and Etihad Abu Dhabi. GFA, on the other hand, has not chosen to upsell Manama as a major tourist or business destination. And for most places in the world, you need a Visa (On arrival is possible) whereas most of the other Gulf countries are visa free for western passports. They’ve got potential to grow; but that will hinge heavily on the Bahraini government
If GULF AIR flies to NYC where the other Middle Eastern carriers do, It would bring some problems 1. They might have to share the terminal 2. IF NYC has 8 Middle Eastern airlines because NYC is a huge city, it will make things complicated for ATC, because they not only have to deal with Domestic carriers like American, Alsaka, and Jet Blue, but they might need to focus on: the mess, and also we can't forget how the Weather system in Northeast USA, so it will make this more difficult for ATC and it make some more problems.
Lots of good information. Gulf Air's nightmare is being in very close proximity to the Middle East Three, plus Bahrain itself isn't really a destination. At least Gulf is better than Saudia.
I flew Gulf Air's 787 from BKK to SIN so I could try these seats. IMHO any complaints about these seats is over rated. I thought they had great privacy and comfort. What wasn't great was the onboard service. Soon as FA's heard I was not flying thru SIN to Bahrain, to me, they snapped into a rude personality with their service. We got canape's for that leg.
What kind of souvenirs were you looking for, baby camels for hand luggage transportation?😂😂😂😂 Gulf Air uses the so-called Apex Suite in Business Class which are supposed to be the most expensive business class seats in the industry that’s why it is not so popular with airlines.😅
I thought their hard product was pretty decent. The service and food was average though in my opinion. I'd rather pay a little more and fly with Emirates or Qatar.
I've flown this cabin, and the predecessor, between LHR and BKK a few times. It's comfortable enough and relatively cheap, but the crew and the airport staff in Bahrain are disorganised and not very professional IMO. I always found them a slightly weird experience.
If Gulf Air has a partnership with AA, then they'd probably end up serving JFK and DFW as you said. MIA might be another possibility to pick up on traffic between the Middle East and Latin America. Bahrain recognises Israel, so Gulf Air is one of the few Muslim airlines I'd consider flying. They could market themselves as a less expensive option to EK or QR.
Lots of airlines have Apex suites including Korean, Oman, JAL to name a few. A good suite no doubt but hardly rare.
Gulf Air’s L1011 Tristars led the way in luxury first class travel more than 4 decades ago.
The five star tri-star ,when economy was perfectly adequate ,but you got plenty of upgrades to businessif you were tidy and polite , good old days
@@howardthreadgill8012 , I think GF in the '70's on their Tr-stars even had a library on aboard for First .... no business class in those days.
Great video - Apex are a great seat for a 2x2 config, but as you observed the seats are narrow- I remember flying them many years ago when they were regarded very highly with even an onboard Chef
I recall landing there on SQ 742 in mid 79 on way to LHR.
SQ used a 707 out of SYD and the next year flew same plane SIN TO CMB ON UL
GF just recently announced that NY flights would start in Nov this year. Reason for delay .. lack of aircrafts due to 787 issues
Did they fix the 6 tv area? The f1 car stimulator? The vr thing?
The golf sim was working when i was there
As a fellow aviator , your channel is just absolutely great - the soothing voice, the beautiful background music, the content , the landings , the sound of the engines ! ❤❤❤ can’t get enough ! Did you spend much time in Bahrain or just a layover ?
You're very tough to please. Nice trip report. Balanced, fair and honest as always.
Great report, Patrick! Gulf defo has a lot of catching up to do to compete with Saudia, let alone the Big 3.
The flag carrier of Bahrain might be alien to a lot of people and you have made a well-documented video to dissect its services on a medium-haul flight Patrick! Keep up the great work as your channel is so underrated.
Pretty interesting how family friendly airports are internationally. Even the lounge offers a kids area. These things are practically unheard of at US airports
Hey patrick, i think you missed a spot at bahrain airport that infact particularly sells bahraini souvenirs, its called "souq al qasaria". I've shoped many from there from my recent visit.
Hi! Thanks first of all for this wonderful report. Thanks! I am a Black Card Member with GF and recognize it all. My route is always BKK-BAH-FRA-BAH BKK. The best guy in the lounge is the bar tender from the Philippines - I talk to him every time I am there. Thanks again and all the best greetings and wished from Frank
It would be beneficial to include a head-to-head comparison between Gulf Air's lounge and the amenities available in this lounge, as well as those in the airport in general, with those of a typical lounge or airline in a major US airport to establish a benchmark. And I already have a good idea who will come out on top!
Fair point. United’s Polaris and American’s Flagship First lounges are definitely better than this space, although idk about Delta One lounges. I guess I’ll find out in a few days. Gulf Air’s space is new but it lacks the diversity of spaces that other lounges have
You should fly on MEA to Beirut - best boutique airline in the Middle East and Lebanon has so much culture and good nightlife
I’d love to check out MEA sometime. I have plans to return to west Africa so maybe ill check out their A330s 🤷♂️
Nice one Patrick. Yea Gulf Air seems kind of dirty outside and in from what I could see. I don't like that seat configuration. Well correction on that I'm not a fan of it, but makes sense if traveling with your better half so you can sit together, but still have your own space. Now I'm Canadian and if they flew from my main airport YYZ and depending on price and them revamping their services and extras then sure I'd take them. Qatar, Etihad, Emirates all have great price plans and services here from what I see and hear. So the main thing would be PRICE/SERVICE/CLEANLINESS. All the best stay safe and stay HIGH in the sky .
Another great video, I hope to see this channel keep growing!
The souvenirs are in souq alqaysariya .. on a side of the duty free
Should have asked if they have an extra seat available on that C40 tucked away
'shanking out a drive and takin out a family below' #smh the papaya/shrimp salad looked super tasty(!) many pluses in this cabin incl. unobstructed aisle access, free wi-fi, super private vibe and unlocked windows, which ALMOST make the non-existent vents and that one missing window forgivable #almost btw factoid segments r jess slayin and tbh bang-4-buck pricing is no doubt attractive
Can you please try Iraqi airways on their 787 because I’ve never seen a video on it ever
14:32, Really on Gulf air's full service airline? No way, wow. 14:38, Same when I flew Zipair from Honolulu to Narita for the 1st time last month, wifi is free for the whole flight, but the wifi is slow because it's almost a full flight, wow, interesting.
I like your backpack!!
I lived a few years in Bahrain, one of the most underrated places in the world.
When flying to USA, they use American Airlines, but you do not get AA miles fir that as it is not marketed as a AA file, even though it is code share. Not good if you accumulate mileage on AA.
I like the 2-2-2 Apex configuration as it has direct aisle access and the footwell is very wide, better than others with narrow ones.
The service and airport are very nice, but they still have obnoxious flight pursers who can be quite rude.
amazing review
I Have Experiece A Simlar Cabin Whit Oman Air,I Like The Product.Great Video And Info
I love your videos, Patrick Shea
Anyone
👇👇
Does Gulf Air offer alcohol on their flights? I know you mentioned a bar in the terminal but it wasn't mentioned on the flight. thanks
yes, they serve alcohol.
The reason why Emirates, Qatar and Etihad have done better than GFA so far is because they don’t just sell their onboard hard and soft service, but their main hub cities as well. With Emirates, a lot of their marketing involves the city of Dubai, Qatar’s play is on Doha and Etihad Abu Dhabi. GFA, on the other hand, has not chosen to upsell Manama as a major tourist or business destination. And for most places in the world, you need a Visa (On arrival is possible) whereas most of the other Gulf countries are visa free for western passports. They’ve got potential to grow; but that will hinge heavily on the Bahraini government
If GULF AIR flies to NYC where the other Middle Eastern carriers do, It would bring some problems
1. They might have to share the terminal
2. IF NYC has 8 Middle Eastern airlines because NYC is a huge city, it will make things complicated for ATC, because they not only have to deal with Domestic carriers like American, Alsaka, and Jet Blue, but they might need to focus on: the mess, and also we can't forget how the Weather system in Northeast USA, so it will make this more difficult for ATC and it make some more problems.
You have Fasttrack on the Emigration in BKK with your Businessclass Ticket ???
Absolutely! It's great to have!
that's very rare for 787 crew to not lock the windows. I stay away from 787 if I can due to that reason.
Lots of good information. Gulf Air's nightmare is being in very close proximity to the Middle East Three, plus Bahrain itself isn't really a destination. At least Gulf is better than Saudia.
Hi Patrick! I love your videos so much! I was wondering if you could review Iberia a350 new business class?
You are wrong .. there is a place in the airport for Bahraini souvenirs.. it is called “Souq Al Qaisariya”
Dang I guess I missed it 🤷♂️
Why not American's hub in Miami?
I flew Gulf Air's 787 from BKK to SIN so I could try these seats. IMHO any complaints about these seats is over rated. I thought they had great privacy and comfort. What wasn't great was the onboard service. Soon as FA's heard I was not flying thru SIN to Bahrain, to me, they snapped into a rude personality with their service. We got canape's for that leg.
But It was a great flight by you
What kind of souvenirs were you looking for, baby camels for hand luggage transportation?😂😂😂😂 Gulf Air uses the so-called Apex Suite in Business Class which are supposed to be the most expensive business class seats in the industry that’s why it is not so popular with airlines.😅
Even with the privacy partition, I’d never pay for any business class ticket with the 2-2-2 configuration. Good video though. 🎉
I thought their hard product was pretty decent. The service and food was average though in my opinion. I'd rather pay a little more and fly with Emirates or Qatar.
I’d agree. But fortunately Gulf Air is far cheaper making it a great alternative for those who maybe can’t afford the levels of emirates or Qatar
@@PatrickSheaAviation Fair comment. I totally get that.
Hi
sorry, but are you travelling with someone...or just using the "royal" we ?
I've flown this cabin, and the predecessor, between LHR and BKK a few times. It's comfortable enough and relatively cheap, but the crew and the airport staff in Bahrain are disorganised and not very professional IMO. I always found them a slightly weird experience.
That roped off lounge area could possibly be for woman or families only.
If Gulf Air has a partnership with AA, then they'd probably end up serving JFK and DFW as you said. MIA might be another possibility to pick up on traffic between the Middle East and Latin America. Bahrain recognises Israel, so Gulf Air is one of the few Muslim airlines I'd consider flying. They could market themselves as a less expensive option to EK or QR.
Need to do your research better, tonnes of similar seats
if most likely to the United States then it would somewhat highly be to IAD, mostly for political reasons out any other reasonings
I liked my own comment 😢