Already plying the route between London Heathrow and Bahrain, Gulf Air’s four strong fleet of B777-300ERs will be extended to serve Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Cairo and Riyadh in the coming months.
These B777-300ERs with their luxurious premium cabins are being leased from Indian carrier Jet Airways for a period of 3.5 years.
More good news is that passengers who book full fare economy class tickets get to go business class. Gulf Air’s promotion is offered for bookings made before April 30 for travel by May 31. Passengers must book at least three days ahead but changes can be made for a modest fee.
Gulf Air is scheduling its B777s so that passengers who board in London can fly right through to SE Asia in wide-bodied comfort.
A passenger taking B777-operated flight GF2 from Heathrow at 1000 will reach Bahrain at 1835. From there the same plane continues to Bangkok as GF150, with a departure from Bahrain at 2045 and an arrival into the Thai capital at 0750 the next morning.
In the case of Kuala Lumpur, flight GF2 from London connects at Bahrain with GF 280 (which will be operated five times a week by the B777 rising to daily from July 6) departing at 2040 and reaching the Malaysian capital at 0940 the next day.
B777 schedule details are:
London-Bahrain. Now operating London-Bahrain with GF2 (dep: 1000; arrive 1835) and Bahrain-London with GF7 (0125-0625). From May the B777s will be extended to operate GF8 (2230-0705) and GF5 (1555-2100).
Bahrain-Bangkok. From March 29, the B777s will be found on GF150 (2045-0750) and GF151 (1020-1315).
Bahrain-Kuala Lumpur. Starting March 30 the B777s will operate GF280 (2040-0940) initially five times a week rising to daily from July 6. The inbound flight GF282 departs Kuala Lumpur at 1130 arriving Bahrain 1340 (operating dates as above).
Bahrain-Cairo. By May the B777s are expected to operate on flights GF71 (1110-1425) and GF70 (1540-1845).
Bahrain-Riyadh. Also by May these craft should be operating flights GF163 (1950-2100) and GF162 (1745-1855).
The B777s’ interiors are identical those used by Jet Airways and feature the latest seating. In particular, premium passengers will find suites in first class and fully flat seats (herringbone layout) in business class. This is the first time that Gulf Air has offered such a product in its business class cabin.
For more information visit gulfair.com.
Report by Alex McWhirter
