Gulf Air Business Class Review: Falcon Gold on the 787

Updated on June 10th, 2026 at 12:32 pm

My first memory of Gulf Air is from 1995. I was a child on a family trip, somewhere over the Middle East, staring out the window at the most enormous stretch of nothingness I had ever seen. Sand in every direction, no roads, no buildings, just a burnt orange landscape that went on forever. I genuinely wondered whether anyone actually lived down there.

I also remember the food tray arriving and being completely overwhelmed by it. My mother, entirely unimpressed, had packed her own food from home and had no interest in what the airline was offering. I, on the other hand, was very interested, even if I couldn’t eat most of it.

That was Gulf Air at its peak. At the time it was the dominant carrier of the Middle East, simultaneously the national airline of Bahrain, the UAE, Oman and Qatar, with all four governments contributing to its funding. What followed is one of aviation’s more instructive cautionary tales. Emirates launched in 1985. Qatar Airways in 1993. Etihad in 2003. Oman Air went long-haul in 2007. At each of those stages, the host governments withdrew their support within a year or two, and Gulf Air shrank accordingly. It now describes itself, quite honestly, as a boutique airline operating out of Bahrain.

So when I boarded their Boeing 787-9 in Dhaka, nearly thirty years after that first flight, I was genuinely curious. Not just about the product, but about what Gulf Air had become. Their Dreamliners feature the excellent Apex Suites, a hard product that feels more First Class than Business. Gulf brands this Falcon Gold. How would it compare?

The short answer: it surprised me.

Flight Details

Route: Dhaka – London Heathrow (via Bahrain)
Flight No: GF251 & GF7
Date: June 2023
Departure Time: 19:15
Aircraft: Boeing 787-900
Seats/Suite: 1K & 2K

A quick note before we get into it: this review covers Gulf Air’s long-haul 787-9 Falcon Gold product exclusively. Gulf Air also operates the A320 and A321LR on shorter regional routes, typically under two hours, where the cabin is completely different. If you are only flying Gulf Air to Bahrain and connecting onward on a narrowbody, you will not get the Apex Suites. Always confirm the aircraft type when booking.

Check-In & Lounge

Check-in in Dhaka airport was absolutely chaotic with no formal Business Class check-in area. They had 2 counters that were marked for both Business & Economy passengers so it rather defeated the purpose.

Even though I arrived at the airport with just over 2 hours to spare, it took almost 50 minutes before I would be finally checked in.

I was handed an invitation to the Balaka lounge. However a further 20 minutes to go through immigration (you had to fill up some exit forms for immigration and many seem unprepared for that) rendered this useless.

By the time I was airside at Dhaka airport, boarding was already in progress, so I didn’t really have time to check out the lounge. Dhaka is unfortunately a small airport which just was not designed for the number of flights and passengers it currently handles. They are currently building a new terminal which should ease things considerably, but for now: build in considerably more time than you think you need if departing from here.

The contrast with the Bahrain transit on the return could not have been more stark. More on that shortly.

Anyway I have managed to visit Gulf Air’s main Falcon Gold Lounge in the layover in Bahrain.

Gulf Air Business Class Boarding

Boarding was equally as chaotic, a function of the airport rather than the airline.

Boarding was through door 2 and you were immediately greeted by the beautiful Falcon Gold cabin. Two cabin crew were by the door who pointed me to my seat.

Gulf Air 787 Business Class Cabin

The cabin features just 36 Apex Suites in a 2-2-2 configuration but this is not nearly as bad as it sounds. They are all direct aisle access.

Thanks to clever staggering it’s amazing how such a product just fits into a space where even a 1-2-1 config can sometimes feel tight. The window seats have a narrow private walkway leading to them from the aisle, which is where the real magic of this layout lies. You have direct aisle access and you are simultaneously more enclosed than most seats with actual doors.

As you can see, each suite is very long, covering on average three and a half window lengths, with the Dreamliner windows already being quite large.

Each suite has a large ottoman and footrest area. It functions as a footrest only if you are exceptionally tall; for everyone else it becomes part of the flat bed in sleep mode, which is where it earns its keep. No awkward footwell to navigate, just a genuinely long, flat surface.

The side panel running along the seat houses the touchscreen remote control with some seat controls. Further seat controls are on the other side arm panel. I found it relatively easy to orient myself with the Suite and it’s controls..

As I was taking pictures, a crew member felt compelled to come and inform me not to take pictures of the crew (as if that needed to be said). This kind of attitude does set a tone, and it is not one you would encounter on Emirates or Singapore Airlines. I was extra careful not to capture any of them after that.

All the K seats are window seats, H being the aisle seats.

There was a pre-departure hot towel service and welcome drinks, for which I chose an orange and mango juice combination both times.

The IFE screen is a decent size and of fine quality, as is the handheld controller where you can also watch content separately. It is functional rather than spectacular, and will not compete with Emirates’ ICE system, but for a long overnight flight where most passengers are sleeping for a good portion of it, it does the job without frustration.

Which Seats to Book

Before we get to the food: a quick guide to seat selection, since the layout rewards a little forward planning.

Window seats (K and A rows 1 to 4) are the most private seats on the aircraft. Row 1K and 1A are the pick of the bunch: no seat in front, maximum enclosure, and a forward-facing view on departure. These are what I booked across both sectors and they are the best option for solo travellers who want to feel genuinely cocooned.

Middle pairs (H and J seats) are better if you are travelling as a couple and want to sit adjacent. You still have direct aisle access and a full suite, but you are slightly more open to the aisle. One person gets the window enclosure, the other does not. The trade-off is that couples can sit side by side while both remaining in separate suites, which many carriers cannot offer.

Avoid row 6 if possible. It is the last row before the galley and noticeably noisier on overnight sectors.

Gulf Air Business Class Dinner

Shortly after a roughly on-time takeoff, the crew began the dinner service. This first sector from Dhaka to Bahrain would be just 5 hours and 20 minutes, so enough time to enjoy a full meal. The crew took drinks orders alongside food choices and set the table properly.

Sadly I forgot to take pictures of the menu, but there were choices of 3 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts.

To start I ordered a green salad.

The salad was served with a light paratha, which was actually quite nice.

For the main I opted for a fish dish, served with spinach and boiled potatoes. Not the most elaborate combination on paper, but it was very well seasoned and I cleared the plate.

Following the meal the plates were quickly cleared and dessert choices taken. I chose pistachio ice cream with mint tea.

That pistachio ice cream was the undisputed highlight of the meal. I ordered seconds. On a five hour sector the catering overall was solid and well presented, served on proper crockery with metal cutlery throughout.

Gulf Air is not competing with Qatar or Etihad for catering depth, but what arrived was fresh, attentive and better than the price point might lead you to expect.

Gulf Air Business Class Bed

With a full three hours still to go before landing in Bahrain, I decided to try the bed and rest for the remainder of the flight. I was saving the proper sleep for the longer sector to London.

The seat converts into one of the longest and most private flat beds available in business class today. That statement holds even when you compare it against actual First Class products on several carriers. With the privacy screen raised you are genuinely enclosed on three sides, and the integrated ottoman means the full bed length is usable without any narrow footwell compromise. The bedding provided was excellent quality. I rested well enough without even targeting proper sleep.

The Bahrain Transit: Better Than You’d Expect

After a three hour layover it was time for leg two. If the Dhaka experience had been chaotic, Bahrain was the antidote.

Bahrain International Airport post its 2021 renovation is a genuinely impressive facility. Modern, calm, well-signed and completely different in atmosphere from a busy Middle Eastern hub. I arrived into a terminal that felt spacious and unhurried, a combination that is rarer than it should be in this region.

The Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge was the highlight of the entire ground experience. I was one of only a handful of passengers there, which gave the whole visit a quietly exclusive feeling that belied its business class category. The food and drink offering was excellent, the space beautifully designed, and the service inside the lounge was noticeably warmer and more attentive than what I had experienced onboard. If you have a layover in Bahrain on Gulf Air, do not rush through it. Build in time to sit, eat and decompress properly. It is worth it.

If you are considering Gulf Air specifically as a way to route through Bahrain, the transit experience itself is a genuine selling point rather than a necessary inconvenience. Most people would find it more pleasant than transiting via Dubai.

Gulf Air Falcon Gold Business Class to London

After the layover it was time for leg two, and another 787-9 awaiting us on the stand.

This time I was one of the first business passengers to board. I settled into seat 2K, having noticed that 3K had one fewer window. A small detail but when you are in a window suite it matters.

This was also the moment I realised the amenity kit had been hidden in the small side pocket the entire first flight without me touching it. With a seven hour overnight sector ahead I was very glad to have found it.

The amenity kit came in a printed leather wash bag with lip balm, moisturiser, flight socks, comb and a full dental kit with mouthwash. A few minutes after settling in, the crew came to ask what size pyjamas I would like.

Both the amenity kit and pyjamas are worth flagging because they are not a given at this price point. Getting both on a seven hour sector in business class puts Gulf Air ahead of several carriers that charge considerably more.

The crew on this second sector were noticeably warmer than the first. Where the Dhaka crew had been transactional and a little stiff, this team seemed genuinely engaged and had a clear mission: get everyone comfortable and into sleep mode as efficiently as possible. It is the clearest illustration of the service inconsistency that exists within Gulf Air as a product. The hard product is a constant. The soft product depends considerably on who you get.

We left the gates on time with about half the business cabin occupied, and the captain welcomed us with a flight time of 7 hours and 10 minutes.

Mere minutes after takeoff this crew seemed on a mission to help everyone get to sleep as quickly as possible. I opted for champagne and warm nuts to start, a small upgrade on the juice from the first sector.

Since it was a late night departure the menu consisted of light bites followed by breakfast before landing. The menu for this sector below.

I chose a soup with a small quiche.

This was just the right post-midnight snack. Nothing elaborate, nothing heavy. The plates were cleared quickly and I was able to have the bed turned down less than 50 minutes after takeoff.

I am not sure whether Gulf Air formally offers a turndown service, but I was very happy to sort myself out. The bed, the pyjamas, the timing, the half-empty cabin and the crew quietly working around passengers — everything aligned. I drifted off somewhere over the Gulf and did not wake until the descent.

Gulf Air Falcon Gold Business Class Breakfast

I woke up 90 minutes before landing with the breakfast service already in motion.

It was still completely dark outside.

The breakfast started with fresh fruits, warm pastries and a choice of fresh juices.

For the main I opted for an omelette which came with a vegetarian sausage.

As far as business class breakfasts in the sky go, this was about bang in the middle of the spectrum. Decent, competent, nothing exciting. The arrival meal is consistently the weaker service on Gulf Air relative to the primary meal, and this was no different. Adequate but not memorable.

As I opened the windows over the English Channel there was a beautiful sunrise just behind the engines.

It felt very cosy just stretching out in the suite, still wrapped in the blanket with no particular rush to move.

And soon enough we were on approach into Heathrow under a clear morning sky.

How to Book Gulf Air Falcon Gold with Points

Gulf Air is not part of any major alliance, which limits your redemption options. There are three realistic routes for UK travellers.

Falcon Flyer (Gulf Air’s own programme) is the most straightforward and the one I would suggest first. Falcon Flyer is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards in the UK, which means you can transfer Amex points directly and redeem for Falcon Gold seats. If you hold an Amex Gold or Platinum card and have been accumulating points, this is a clean and direct option with no third-party complexity.

Etihad Guest is the other solid option. Etihad and Gulf Air have a codeshare relationship that makes Gulf Air accessible through Etihad Guest miles. Worth considering if you have Etihad miles sitting unused.

Aeroplan (Air Canada’s programme) technically lists Gulf Air as a partner. I would not recommend it as a first choice. When things go wrong with an Aeroplan booking on a third-party carrier the customer service experience can be very poor. If Falcon Flyer or Etihad Guest are available to you, use those first.

For cash bookings, Gulf Air’s direct pricing from London to Bahrain and beyond can be very competitive. I paid £1,200 one-way booked directly with Gulf Air, which for a seat of this quality on a long-haul route represents exceptional value. Always check Gulf Air’s own website directly before comparing elsewhere.

Overall Thoughts

I had flown on an Apex Suite once before with Japan Airlines and had forgotten what a great product it is. Gulf Air have done an excellent job of fitting the product with their own signature touches in a way that feels considered and genuinely premium. I booked this ticket directly with Gulf Air for £1,200 one-way to London.

In many ways the product provides a level of privacy and comfort that is only bettered by actual First Class products. The flat bed is among the longest in business class. The privacy in the window seats is, frankly, better than most products that have closing doors. If you have broad shoulders, note that the Apex Suite is slightly narrower across the shoulders than alternatives like Singapore Airlines or Finnair, but it has never been an issue for me personally.

On the service side, the two crews I experienced reflected the inconsistency that is the honest caveat with Gulf Air. The first crew were professional but cool, the second warmer and more proactively helpful. Neither was poor, but neither was exceptional. Do not expect Singapore or Qatar levels of service choreography. But for what it is, I was more than happy with both flights and would choose Gulf Air again without hesitation.

The product, the Bahrain transit, the pricing and the Amex points transfer route make this one of the genuinely underrated business class options flying out of London. It deserves to be better known.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gulf Air business class good?

Yes, particularly on the 787-9. The Apex Suite hard product is excellent and competitive with the best in business class at any price. Service is variable but not poor. At Gulf Air’s typical direct pricing it represents outstanding value for money.

What is Gulf Air Falcon Gold?

Falcon Gold is Gulf Air’s business class product. On the Boeing 787-9, it features the B/E Aerospace Apex Suite in a 2-2-2 configuration with direct aisle access from all seats, fully flat beds, pyjamas, a leather amenity kit and access to the dedicated Falcon Gold Lounge at Bahrain International Airport.

Which seats are best in Gulf Air business class?

Window seats in rows 1 to 4 (K and A) offer the most privacy and are the best option for solo travellers. Row 1K and 1A are the top picks. Middle pairs (H and J seats) work well for couples who want to sit adjacent while still having separate suites. Avoid row 6 due to proximity to the galley.

Can I use Avios to book Gulf Air?

No. Gulf Air is not a British Airways or Iberia partner so Avios cannot be used directly. The best points options for UK travellers are American Express Membership Rewards transferred to Falcon Flyer, or Etihad Guest miles.

Does Gulf Air fly the 787 to London?

Yes. Gulf Air operates the Boeing 787-9 on its Bahrain to London Heathrow route, which is where the Falcon Gold Apex Suite product is found. The A320 and A321LR are used on shorter regional routes and have a completely different cabin.

Is the Gulf Air Bahrain lounge worth it?

Yes. The Falcon Gold Lounge at Bahrain International Airport is well-designed, rarely crowded and a genuine highlight of the Gulf Air experience. If you are routing via Bahrain, build in enough time to enjoy it properly. Full Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge review here.