Gulf Air resumes direct flights to New York after 28 years

Gulf Air has resumed its direct flights between Bahrain and New York (JFK) after a 28-year hiatus, with the inaugural service taking place on October 1. The company last operated the route in 1997 and now returns with three weekly flights using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

The launch follows the US Federal Aviation Administration’s evaluation of Bahrain’s safety oversight, which granted Gulf Air full authorization to operate scheduled passenger services to the United States. Previously, Bahraini airlines could only access the US market via codeshare agreements or wet-lease operations.

A formal reception was held at New York JFK Airport to mark the occasion, attended by officials and representatives from both countries. The first flight was operated with a 787-9 featuring a retro livery (registration A9C-FG), highlighting the company’s history on the route.

Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 is configured with 282 seats in two classes (26 in business class and 256 in economy). The Bahraini carrier has ten of these aircraft in its fleet, which are used on long-haul flights.

The reinstatement of the Bahrain-New York link is part of Gulf Air’s broader network expansion and is aligned with Bahrain’s tourism strategy for 2022-2026. The move is expected to enhance connectivity between the Middle East and North America, supporting economic growth, trade, and cultural exchange.

In July, Gulf Air announced a $4.6 billion agreement with Boeing to acquire 12 more widebody 787 Dreamliners.

About the Author

Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

Articles by the author »