Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Too much time in GF's BAH Lounge

All due to delays.. I am seriously considering never using GF again.. in the last two months, have taken 10 sectors, and only one went on time.. the worst was last week, a 13 hr technical delay on BAH-CAI.. ended up with me leading a revolt of ranting pax and walking to the Movenpick to sleep.

I really think the new timetable is just streching resources too much. Most delays (except the technical above) have been due to delayed connecting passengers.

OK Rant over.

I was on a ATH-SYD flight recently and missed my connection in BAH due to a late arrival from ATH and had to stay in BAH for 22+ hours. It seems that GF is rather optimistic with their short connection times. From memory the regular connection time ATH-SYD is only about 45 miniutes.

I was on a flight from DXB (see trip report) where the flight was delayed arriving into BAH. They held the BKK for us! We were delayed 30 mins leaivng early this morning, due to the LHR-BAH arriving late - all i did was remmeber the week prior when a flight had been held for me! It's swings and roundabouts when it comes to delays when they are holding a flight! try to remmeber when it works to your advantage, makes the delays a little better! OK in the ATH-SYD incident, they didn't hold that flight! I woul dhave kicked up a fuss and demanded to go on EK from DXB, there are 3 flights a day!

i bought my GF tickets online.. and they offer 40 min connections.. that says high risk to me

Gulf's punctuality performance ("late arrival of incoming aircraft" / "late arrival of connection passengers due to late arrival of incoming aircraft" is what I've heard most often) has been atrocious for a long time now. I'm surprised it's taken you so long to notice. Certainly from BAH flying intergulf using any other airline than GF is the chosen way to travel...

I don't think it's just GF, as that is theannouncement I also hear when travelling a Middle Eastern Carrier especially from Karachi. Almost every single QR/GF/EK flight that I have been on is delayed "due to delayed arrival of incoming aircraft" :rolleyes:

I have come to realize that a 1030pm departure ex Karachi is really an 1130pm departure :(




I was on a flight from DXB (see trip report) where the flight was delayed arriving into BAH. They held the BKK for us! We were delayed 30 mins leaivng early this morning, due to the LHR-BAH arriving late - all i did was remmeber the week prior when a flight had been held for me! It's swings and roundabouts when it comes to delays when they are holding a flight! try to remmeber when it works to your advantage, makes the delays a little better! OK in the ATH-SYD incident, they didn't hold that flight! I woul dhave kicked up a fuss and demanded to go on EK from DXB, there are 3 flights a day!

While that would be a nice gesture, I don't think it would make financial sense for GF. Firstly, most DXB-SYD EK flights go out full, so getting a seat would be tough. Secondly, paying for a seat on EK at the last minute would be very costly - far more costly than putting up the PAX in a hotel and maybe giving a few hundred $$ of compensation.

Cheers

should add that none of my online GF bokings have been charged to Amex Card yet.. clearly they don't need the cash

should add that none of my online GF bokings have been charged to Amex Card yet.. clearly they don't need the cash


That's funny. Neither has my booking and I have the paper tickets already in my hands....

ten days later, still no charge..

Cut to the future and GK's future post - " FREE GF flights ticketed in Sept 06 if paid on AMEX" :D

Just returned to Aus after 15 sectors with GF. Other than one flight being brought forward all went well. Flights r almost never on time but nothing too serious. GF has old AC and that is one reason given for delays; the 767's are causing them all sorts of issues which is why they are all going! I was told 777 is what they might chose who knows..also heard A350 and 787??

I noticed a few EK and one or two QR flights cancelled or delayed too during my travels intra gulf. GF is still the way to go for intra Gulf travel they do the connections well and my bags never got lost or have ever been lost even during tight connections! Etihad is a shambles from local feedback.. and staff for Etihad are most dissolusioned. There is a strong rumor GF chief is going to Etihad "beacuse they need him". I was told this by a senior trade official. A German or Brit is comming to GF.....keep u posted.

CJ :)

...There is a strong rumor GF chief is going to Etihad "beacuse they need him". I was told this by a senior trade official. A German or Brit is comming to GF.....keep u posted.

CJ :)

Any idea of the timing of any JH move?
From your earlier news, I guess that timing may depend on getting a 'new chief' named? I suppose JH is staying there only until his replacement is named, if he's even there now.

If an airline is in need, would JH be persuaded to stay in the Gulf? I would think he would prefer a change, and to not hurt his legacy :D