Rebirth of the Golden Falcon
Written: Jun 29 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Mostly new aircraft; clean; quite comfortable for short flights.
Cons: Catering and service ok but nothing special
The Bottom Line: You can tell that things are getting better, but there is still a way to go.
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| vodkaboy's Full Review: Gulf Air |
Gulf Air have just relaunched themselves. In autumn last year they started a three-year turn-around programme, beginning with a new livery. The Golden Falcon remains their emblem, but updated, and the idea of course is that just as the new livery shows a new outside, that merely reflects the new inside....
So how does it compare? Well, I really can't say, not having flown on them before! But in early June 2003 I flew a short sector within the Middle East. The direct flights were full so I flew via Bahrain with Gulf Air, two short flights, the first about two hours and the second barely an hour. I was in First class.
AT THE AIRPORT
There was just a small queue at check in; well, one person, so if it had been any less then it wouldn't have been a queue!
The check in agent was just about polite but lacking any warmth. He didn't even ask if I wanted a window or an aisle seat, he presented me with an aisle and I had to ask to be moved to a window seat. The supervisor was much more helpful, I got the feeling he was a bit embarassed by the whole thing.
When it came to boarding, we were taken to the plane by bus and there was no priority boarding, not by class nor for families with children. However the flight was not very busy so it was over quite quickly.
ON BOARD
The aircraft was an Airbus A320, fairly new and looking clean, well kept and tidy. The carpet was dark blue/grey, with small royal blue squares tipped in red, rather elegant. The walls were the usual off-white, with hints of pink and light grey. The seats were a light grey with thin, diagonal pink lines. Overall the cabin felt light, pleasant and the colours gave it a nice, sophisticated feel.
In First class there were four seats across, two either side of the aisle. In Business I could there that there were two seats one side and three the other, so five across, and further back in economy there were three seats each side.
I took my seat 2A; the First class seats were wide and fairly comfortable. There was plenty of leg room while the seat in front of me was not reclined. Later, in the flight, the guy in front did put his seat back; it didn't get too uncomfortable for me, as long as I didn't want to get out of my seat! When I put my seat back, it went to about 30 degrees I guess; with the leg rest up it was actually pretty comfortable. As well as the legrest and the recline there was also an adjustable lumbar support and head rest.
BEFORE TAKE OFF
Almost as soon as I had sat down, a pleasant and cheerful stewardess came to take my jacket to hang in the wardrobe. As other passengers continued boarding, I was offered a glass of juice or water. Once the boarding had finished we were offered not just a hot towel but a choice of hot or cold towel, which was the first time I had been offered this choice!
As we prepared to start out towards the runway the stewardess came round offering a date (the fruit, not a romantic dinner) and a small cup of Arabic coffee, which is quite weak, unsweetened but quite refreshing.
DURING THE FLIGHT
The crew remained sitting until the seatbelt signs were switched off. This seems to be more common; on some airlines the cabin crew start moving around about a minute after take off, but on more airlines now I'm seeing them stay seated until the sign is off.
The flight was only about two hours so they got the service started fast once they were up and about.
There were two main crew looking after First class, both were quite pleasant on the first flight, but on the onward connecting flight they were polite but would never be accused of being friendly.
FOOD AND DRINK
"What would you like to drink?" asked the steward.
"Errrr... what have you got?" I wasn't sure if Gulf Air serve alcohol or if they were 'dry' so I tried to be discreet. He must have heard this before.
He smiled. "We have alcohol...."
"Then I'll have a vodka," I grinned.
After the drinks, came the meal. It started with a salad, after which there was a choice of chicken with saffron rice, kingfish in lemon sauce, or lamb kebab. Desert was fresh fruit, followed by coffee and chocolate.
I opted for the kebab which was not a bad portion. It tasted good, but the meat was a bit chewy and tough. Thank goodness for the toothpick.
After the food was served up there was another round of drinks. Once the coffee had been served they came round with the inflight duty free sales. I noticed in the brochure that they had a special promotion of some new Escada perfume and some other exclusive offers, "Special for Valentines Day", available "from 14th February". Well, you'd better be quick... if you buy it on day two of the promotion you'll get a slap for being late!
On the second, onward flight the journey was much shorter, just an hour, so the meal was just a snack, a plate of small sandwiches. They looked quite good and fresh, but I didn't bother eating them. They also didn't offer the duty free sales, but there really was not the time. Besides, i had bought the Escada on the previous flight!
ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER
Arriving at Bahrain I went straight to the Gulf Air transfer desk which was easily found. There was a long queue for the two or three positions open in the Economy section; the First and Business counters were unmanned.
I walked up to the First counter and a security guard tried to send me away! I told him I wanted to check in and luckily one of the agents at the economy counters came over and a minute later I was checked in for my onward flight. He was very pleasant and efficient and quite friendly.
Then I was able to wander round and enjoy Bahrain airport shopping for half an hour before boarding my onward flight. Fortunately here they parked at the terminal, so there was no bus to the plane this time.
SUMMARY
It is difficult to get an overall view of an airline after two short regional flights, but my impression of Gulf Air was reasonably positive. I have heard that their reputation has not been good but they seem to be undergoing a real transformation and to be on the road to improvement. Some of the people, such as the cabin crew on the first flight, appeared to be genuinely interested and making an effort. The planes were clean, well kempt and tidy. They still have a way to go but are on the right track.
Recommended:
Yes
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vodkaboy
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I've been thinking. That's an improvement.
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