Down_the_back
May 27, 09, 11:09 pm
Here is a small trip report having done a recent trip on Gulf Air - or was it Gulf Air????
GULF AIR: DXB-BAH-BKK BUSINESS CLASS
I managed to get a great deal from DXB-BKK with Gulf Air; Jet Airways being the only cheaper carriers with onward connection from BKK to MEL & CHC via HKG on CX using my AA Airmiles.
DXB-BAH
Checked in fine having got a taxi to the airport, GF used to supply premium long-haul passengers with a car to the airport but that is now dropped. Holding J class ticket on a business and economy only aircraft means no sucking up to the check in crew for an upgrade, it also means you can wear your most comfortable clothing. I was very happy that just by presenting my passport and my CX onward connection that GF were able to check in my bags ALL the way to MEL. I was a little afraid as with it being a 4 flight connection, she has to tape two labels together on each bag. Each one was priority tagged.
Immigration is always a breeze late afternoon in terminal 2, which is noticeably quieter now ALL Emirates traffic is now in T3. Went straight to the lounge, which is now none smoking! Hum second change in GF service that I don’t like. Anyway, still a goof selection of drinks and snacks, better selection of drinks though – Vodka every time for me managed to throw a few down my neck, before nipping out for a quick cigarette. Boarding call announced and a VERY long walk to the gate, where boarding had not yet began.
A call for Business passengers first, but there was no point barging through the eager economy passengers beating down the doors to get in. I patiently got in line. L2 door was used for all passengers, but boarding was swift. I expected to see the Jet Airways colours, as my E-Ticket had suggested that the flight was using 9W aircraft. What I did not expect to see was the greeting I received from the canary colored outfits adorned by 9W Crew. In every experience I have had with GF it has always been the crews that have made the journey for me! However, it was only an hour’s flight!
Juice or water pre take off, and choice of chicken or Mezze to eat, on a one hour flight, I was fine and settled for another vodka. Seats were great, fully flat (although I did not try them out),leather, and a bit tired looking, but very comfortable.
TRANSIT BAH
Easy to get off first as I had seat 1B and arrived at the transit area to stand behind a large flight that had landed just before, there is no priority queue in BAH for premium passengers, however, when the rest of my flight had arrived behind me, Bahraini officials were quick to open another X-Ray machine and I did not have to wait long. I have used BAH many a time for Transit and know automatically where to go, but I do think it is confusing as to which way you go. Made it straight to the BAH Business Lounge. A great place to chill for an hour or so, lots of different seating, although you always find that one person always hogs the Majilis style Bedouin style seats made for 4 people. Again, fair selection of food and drinks, they are just not very assessable for lots of people trying to get at them at the same time. http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ip%21/DSC08774
BAH-BKK
On boarding, I noticed that once again, it was the A330 Jet Airways craft, and the even more miserable Jet Airways crew! I was actually really annoyed at thins point, as I could have paid a cheaper fare and gone with Jet Airways DXB-BKK via DEL or BOM and probable gone on the new aircraft – with an equally miserable crew and still got GF Frequent Air Miles! I moved to the last row in the front cabin as neither seats were occupied by anyone. I was referred to for the entire flight as Mr Jones, or Mr Smith, I forget which one, despite telling them several times, that was it not my name. It hardly takes a brain surgeon to change the name on the manifest, especially as I had requested and asked if it were OK to move to the empty seats. http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery/album72/DSC08048
I started off with a glass of champagne, now this, with the gulf air crew, usually says, keep topping him up and he’ll be fine! Jet Airways – Oh no, you have to ask and ask ask over and over again to get anything. I had the wrong food; the level of English was poor from all the crew, apart from the GF checker on board, who spent almost all of his time talking to the Arab speaking passengers who hardly spoke English. He had a hard job! He could hardly be understood by the crew – there was a real lack in communication!
I slept for most of the flight, to be woken up for breakfast – despite telling them to leave me sleeping for as long as possible, I said that I would also skip breakfast – maybe I should have written it down for them. They clearly did not understand and I was woken almost 2 hours prior to landing in BKK. I must say though, I had an excellent sleep, it did make me start to think how comfortable the new aircraft would have been with Jet Airways! I have seen the Herringbone design they have, but would have that on my Cathay flights to MEL.
All in all a great sleep, albeit cut short, and I could have slept for another hour and a half at least! The crew really let the flight down and I will re-think before flying GF again. It was a good job it was over-night – but the return is during the day…….. I will let you know.
BKK-HKG-MEL-SYD-CHC-SYD-HKG-BKK-BAH-DXB to follow…..
The whole trip can be viewed at: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/947603-dxb-bah-bkk-hkg-mel-syd-chc-back-gf-cx-qf-ek.html
GULF AIR: DXB-BAH-BKK BUSINESS CLASS
I managed to get a great deal from DXB-BKK with Gulf Air; Jet Airways being the only cheaper carriers with onward connection from BKK to MEL & CHC via HKG on CX using my AA Airmiles.
DXB-BAH
Checked in fine having got a taxi to the airport, GF used to supply premium long-haul passengers with a car to the airport but that is now dropped. Holding J class ticket on a business and economy only aircraft means no sucking up to the check in crew for an upgrade, it also means you can wear your most comfortable clothing. I was very happy that just by presenting my passport and my CX onward connection that GF were able to check in my bags ALL the way to MEL. I was a little afraid as with it being a 4 flight connection, she has to tape two labels together on each bag. Each one was priority tagged.
Immigration is always a breeze late afternoon in terminal 2, which is noticeably quieter now ALL Emirates traffic is now in T3. Went straight to the lounge, which is now none smoking! Hum second change in GF service that I don’t like. Anyway, still a goof selection of drinks and snacks, better selection of drinks though – Vodka every time for me managed to throw a few down my neck, before nipping out for a quick cigarette. Boarding call announced and a VERY long walk to the gate, where boarding had not yet began.
A call for Business passengers first, but there was no point barging through the eager economy passengers beating down the doors to get in. I patiently got in line. L2 door was used for all passengers, but boarding was swift. I expected to see the Jet Airways colours, as my E-Ticket had suggested that the flight was using 9W aircraft. What I did not expect to see was the greeting I received from the canary colored outfits adorned by 9W Crew. In every experience I have had with GF it has always been the crews that have made the journey for me! However, it was only an hour’s flight!
Juice or water pre take off, and choice of chicken or Mezze to eat, on a one hour flight, I was fine and settled for another vodka. Seats were great, fully flat (although I did not try them out),leather, and a bit tired looking, but very comfortable.
TRANSIT BAH
Easy to get off first as I had seat 1B and arrived at the transit area to stand behind a large flight that had landed just before, there is no priority queue in BAH for premium passengers, however, when the rest of my flight had arrived behind me, Bahraini officials were quick to open another X-Ray machine and I did not have to wait long. I have used BAH many a time for Transit and know automatically where to go, but I do think it is confusing as to which way you go. Made it straight to the BAH Business Lounge. A great place to chill for an hour or so, lots of different seating, although you always find that one person always hogs the Majilis style Bedouin style seats made for 4 people. Again, fair selection of food and drinks, they are just not very assessable for lots of people trying to get at them at the same time. http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ip%21/DSC08774
BAH-BKK
On boarding, I noticed that once again, it was the A330 Jet Airways craft, and the even more miserable Jet Airways crew! I was actually really annoyed at thins point, as I could have paid a cheaper fare and gone with Jet Airways DXB-BKK via DEL or BOM and probable gone on the new aircraft – with an equally miserable crew and still got GF Frequent Air Miles! I moved to the last row in the front cabin as neither seats were occupied by anyone. I was referred to for the entire flight as Mr Jones, or Mr Smith, I forget which one, despite telling them several times, that was it not my name. It hardly takes a brain surgeon to change the name on the manifest, especially as I had requested and asked if it were OK to move to the empty seats. http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery/album72/DSC08048
I started off with a glass of champagne, now this, with the gulf air crew, usually says, keep topping him up and he’ll be fine! Jet Airways – Oh no, you have to ask and ask ask over and over again to get anything. I had the wrong food; the level of English was poor from all the crew, apart from the GF checker on board, who spent almost all of his time talking to the Arab speaking passengers who hardly spoke English. He had a hard job! He could hardly be understood by the crew – there was a real lack in communication!
I slept for most of the flight, to be woken up for breakfast – despite telling them to leave me sleeping for as long as possible, I said that I would also skip breakfast – maybe I should have written it down for them. They clearly did not understand and I was woken almost 2 hours prior to landing in BKK. I must say though, I had an excellent sleep, it did make me start to think how comfortable the new aircraft would have been with Jet Airways! I have seen the Herringbone design they have, but would have that on my Cathay flights to MEL.
All in all a great sleep, albeit cut short, and I could have slept for another hour and a half at least! The crew really let the flight down and I will re-think before flying GF again. It was a good job it was over-night – but the return is during the day…….. I will let you know.
BKK-HKG-MEL-SYD-CHC-SYD-HKG-BKK-BAH-DXB to follow…..
The whole trip can be viewed at: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/947603-dxb-bah-bkk-hkg-mel-syd-chc-back-gf-cx-qf-ek.html