Gulf Air is making a return to the United States after a decades-long absence with new service between Bahrain and New York.
Gulf Air Returns To The U.S. With New York JFK Service
Bahrain’s national carrier will launch nonstop service between Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and New York (JFK) on October 1, 2025. This marks Gulf Air’s first regularly scheduled passenger service to the U.S. since the 1990s and comes amid broader ambitions to position the boutique carrier as a global contender in the long-haul premium space.
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air was once among the most prominent airlines in the Middle East, serving destinations across Europe, Asia, and even the US. But over time, as neighboring Gulf carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad grew in size and prestige, Gulf Air scaled back and redefined itself as a smaller, service-focused airline. The launch of JFK service signals a renewed push toward long-haul expansion.
The new route will operate three times per week on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (you can read my business class review of this aircraft here). Flights will depart Bahrain on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and arrive at New York JFK the same afternoon. The return flight to Bahrain will depart later that evening.
- GF91 – Bahrain (BAH) – New York (JFK) dep 4:00 AM arr 10:55 AM
- GF90 – New York (JFK) – Bahrain (BAH) dep 3:00 PM arr 10:35 AM+1
In announcing the new route, Gulf Air Group CEO Jeffrey Goh stated:
“We are excited to announce direct flights to New York’s JFK and our return to the North American market. This service aligns with Gulf Air’s strategy of calibrated expansion and serving strategic markets, providing passengers with greater choice and convenience for travel, through Bahrain International Airport, between Bahrain and North America, and beyond, supporting the connectivity strategy of the Kingdom.”
Each Dreamliner features 26 lie-flat Falcon Gold business class seats and 256 economy seats. While Gulf Air is not aiming to compete on scale with the other Gulf mega-carriers, it continues to invest in product enhancements and premium service. The airline is also known for its signature touches, including onboard chefs and attentive cabin service.
Initially, Gulf Air will operate from JFK’s current Terminal 1.
Tickets are on sale now and you can book with points via Air Canada’s Aeroplan program (55K one-way for economy, 90K for business class)
Don’t Underestimate The Political Factor
In a world in which Qatar recently gifted President Donald Trump a $400 million jet, don’t underestimate the power of statecraft, especially when it comes to the precarious Middle East.
It comes as no surprise that this route announcement coincided with the visit of Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the White House yesterday to meet with President Trump. Khalifa also announced the purchase of 12 Boeing aircraft and 40 GE engines.
Goh, the Gulf Air CEO, was my former boss when I worked at Star Alliance and is a shrewd and discerning man. This New York route is unlikely to make money (after all, the demand for air service between the two countries is very limited and the connection options will still be a tough sell in the crowded New York City market), but that’s not the point. Goh stressed the “connectivity strategy of the Kingdom,” and the point is that the Kingdom, which owns 100% of Gulf Air, sees this as a strategic route for reasons beyond profitability.
CONCLUSION
Gulf Air’s return to New York is a notable development, both for the airline and for Bahrain. The route adds another option for passengers traveling between the Gulf and the United States, with the convenience of a nonstop flight and the promise of personalized service onboard. While Gulf Air lacks the global reach of its larger neighbors, it is thinking beyond profits in an era of change in the Gulf region and USA.
Will you fly Gulf Air between New York and Bahrain?
“But over time, as neighboring Gulf carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad grew in size and prestige, Gulf Air scaled back and redefined itself as a smaller, service-focused airline”
A sinplification of what happened. Gulf Air was oroginally owned by Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. When the latter three started their own airlines and pulled out leaving Bahrain on it’s own, that’s what led to Gulf Air scaling back and becoming a shadow of it’s former self.
It used to be Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways were the Emirates and the Qatar Airways of their day…how things have changed.
All airlines ought to “scale back and redefine themselves as smaller , service-focused airlines .”
The perpetual quest for growth and revenue have created gigantic monsters . They burden air traffic control and airport authorities with impossible responsibilities .
Seriously?
Gulf Air & Kuwait Airways seemed more like the pioneering airlines of the region, but not at the same ‘bling’ level or aspirations of the current ME3…
Wonder if not offering a premium economy class of service will further limit their competitiveness…
They didn’t have the bling, no, they were more tasteful, but both offered high quality products for that time and had good reputations. Just as Kuwait was in the 1960s and 1970s what Dubai is now.
We had a great GF experience a couple of years ago (CDG-BAH-BKK) and BAH is a pleasant, human-sized hub, unlike DOH or IST (the new terminal dates from 2021, I believe).
Gulf Air is usually quite competitive with J fares. I imagine this will offer some opportunities to and through the ME.
I flew the golden falcon L1011 in first class when I was 10 yrs old when my mother worked for TWA. It was a code share flight JFK LHR. We got first class both ways. There was a non rev seniority system back then like numbered 1-9. The lower the number the higher priority you were on the list. Active employees were 8 and retired employees were 7R. Captains , execs , etc were higher priority. My mom won 2 one way 5 seniority passes at a Christmas party and these non revs in suits threw a hissy fit at the gate in Heathrow that my mother and I had to be further down on the list. On their way to coach they went lol my mom was awesome. She used to upgrade my high school teachers and friends parents.
Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing to hear that retirees had a higher boarding priority than active employees…, I’d be overjoyed at just one annual higher boarding priority pass ! … The non-rev travel perk has lost an incredible value over the years….