Gulf Air Getting Ready to Jet Off to New York
For what feels like an eternity now, Gulf Air has been all talk about bringing back their flights to the good old United States. Cue the drumroll. In September 2024, their CEO threw a curveball saying flights might just take off within the next year. Fast forward to April 2025, and they finally have the green light from the regulators.
Now, the latest scoop is hinting that this long-talked-about service could be revving its engines any day now…
Gulf Air: Turning Over a New Leaf
Back in the day, Bahrain’s own Gulf Air was the top dog in the Gulf skies. Founded in 1974, it was a collaboration involving Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, marking it as the grand airline flag bearer for these exciting times.
But then came 1985, and Dubai decided to show up with Emirates, slowly eroding Gulf Air’s market position. And soon, the Gulf neighborhood got crowded with players like Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Oman Air.
While our dear Gulf Air shrank in significance, battling outdated planes and a weak map of destinations, it’s now rising like a phoenix. Over the past few years, the airline’s undergone a remarkable makeover. A swanky fleet update, snazzy terminal at its hub—the works. They’ve channeled all energy into bolstering their core strengths.
Case in point: Gulf Air’s long haul fleet is now all about the Boeing 787-9s. We’re talking top-of-the-line business class here. Their collection boasts 10 such planes, with 2 more on the way.
And that’s not all, folks. The airline’s also embracing 16 brand new Airbus A321neos. Some even come with those fabulous lie-flat beds in business class, perfect for hopping around the region. Though at the moment, the farthest Gulf Air flies west is London, and the east stops at Manila.
Plotting a U.S. Comeback
Turning back the clock to 2019, Gulf Air’s then-CEO was eager to break into the U.S. skies within three years. Remember those glorious days when they flew to New York and Houston? Ah, nostalgia. Unfortunately, that route shut down about 25 years ago. As it stands, their wings only spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The pandemic might have muddied their return plans, but now there’s hope in the air. Gulf Air’s current CEO suggested flights to America could launch by mid-2025. The essence: “If everything goes smoothly, we might just see the light at the end of the tunnel by mid-2025, as long as plane availability holds up.”
The Department of Transportation has finally stamped Gulf Air’s foreign air carrier permit, letting them soar to the U.S.
While there has been no official fanfare yet, some insiders hint at a significant announcement around the corner. The buzz is that Gulf Air aims to jet passengers from Bahrain (BAH) to New York (JFK) come early September 2025 with their Dreamliners, flying thrice weekly.
This 6,613-mile route would see departure from Bahrain in the early morning, landing in New York as the city wakes. On the return leg, it’ll be a mid-afternoon takeoff from JFK, reaching Bahrain the next day.
One puzzle, though—isn’t it a bit odd if Gulf Air’s 787s lack crew bunks? Hmm, curious…
The U.S. Game Plan
Is Gulf Air chasing the American dream because they reckon it’s a cash cow, or is this more about status and connecting business dots?
Gulf Air’s honchos have always underscored their boutique vibe, firmly believing it’s their unique edge. One of their former leaders mused:
“Going up against larger airlines in size or ticket pricing is a fool’s errand. Quality, however, that’s our game. We can take on any airline in that arena. That’s the battle I’m up for.”
“We aim to provide that iconic Arabian hospitality. And to truly nail it, we must offer something one-of-a-kind.”
Love a CEO who’s got their head set on quality. But they did admit their airline couldn’t beat others on schedule or cost.
Before the pandemic, numbers showed just under two dozen passengers traveled between New York and Bahrain daily. So, what’s the point of this route? Connectivity, pure and simple. But that also means fierce competition from other fabulous carriers.
Gulf Air faces serious rivalries from airlines boasting top-tier products, like Emirates with their A380 business class or Qatar Airways’ luxe Qsuites. The odds of anyone shelling out extra bucks for Gulf Air don’t seem great.
A hop across the pond might not be an instant jackpot, but smaller, savvy jets like the Dreamliner have certainly improved the economics of long-haul flights.
Lining Up for Takeoff
So folks, keep your eyes peeled for Gulf Air’s grand U.S. return. The whispers suggest they might make flying the Bahrain-New York route a reality by September 2025, with intentions to bridge those countries closer, profit margins aside.
Stay tuned for the official word. If Gulf Air’s flag finally flutters across the U.S. skies, it’s more about nurturing those international friendships than lining pockets directly. Wondering if they’ll have a stop at Val Seny ski resort along the way?
Got thoughts on Gulf Air’s foray into U.S. airspace?