To continue my whirlwind Aeroplan adventure, I flew Gulf Air's Boeing 787-9 business class from Bahrain to Singapore. I was very much looking forward to this flight, as Gulf Air's Boeing 787s have some of my favorite business class seats. Unfortunately beyond the seat, the product had some highs and lows. I loved the very…
Continue reading: Review: Gulf Air Business Class 787-9 (BAH-SIN)
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No landing music? I would have put on headphones and listened to the SQ track 😉
Ben it's always a pleasure to read your detailed description of your journeys on board the various airlines.
I have always been curious to ask you the question about coffee and tea on board.
Read somewhere that it is not a good idea to drink coffee or tea on board as the water is drawn from tanks that haven't been cleaned in ages....
The details of this review are pretty heavily positive, but your conclusion is a lot more mixed. The flaws in the service just struck you really badly?
The water is boiled anyways . A cup of Moroccan mint tea or camomile might have helped Ben sleep better.
@Ben
The white horse on the amenity kit is a religious symbol. There was an Angel named Gabriel who had a white horse in the Quran.
Lucky, I too have been curious about Nicobar Islands but they have been off-limit to foreign tourists and severely restrict Indian visitors too. Making a visit to Andaman Islands to the north, however is a different story.
Okay, are the Gulf Air 787s originally intended for JAL? Between Apex Suites and bidets, seems the likely situation.
@Pete I too am under that same belief about drinking tea or coffee on board. Perhaps someone who works for an airline could elaborate?
Simple really. In the US coffee tends to be served immediately before any meal. In the UK and realms or countries with a UK colonial association, tea and coffee are served at the conclusion of the meal. Bahrain was a protectorate of the UK.
@ Max -- It shouldn't really matter what a custom is in a country, when you're catering to international guests. If you are in a premium cabin and make a basic order, it should be fulfilled. I've never had an issue being served a cup of coffee when I wanted on British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.
@ Ethan -- Hah, that's a good observation. I don't believe JAL reduced its 787 order, but it almost seems like it, eh?
@ Arthur -- I do think Oman Air has the edge. The seats are very similar, though I've found Oman Air's meals to be better. In particular, I love how many Omani dishes Oman Air serves, which really gives you a flavor of the country, even if you're just in transit.
@ Grichard -- I gave the flight four stars, which is still a pretty good rating. There was a lot to love, but the awful service flow, not-so-great food, and the bad bedding really hold this product back.
@ Pete -- That's a great question. Yes, I do believe the water comes from the tanks, and it's probably not the cleanest water there is. As a big coffee drinker, for me this falls into the category of being something I conveniently ignore.
This is also why I appreciate airlines that serve "proper" cappuccinos, since you're minimizing the amount of water you're drinking from the tank.
@Robert Agreed, an honest comments from an airline employee would really help.
I've often wondered what if you pay for wi-fi for the whole flight and it breaks down? Do you get a voucher or a refund after the flight?
Flew them for the first time in 2022, never again. Birmingham Bangkok
Booked with my partner £1700 each business class, 2 weeks before departure the flight times were changed and instead of a 2 hour stop over it was now 13 hours. I requested a hotel room which they used to provide free, eventually they agreed, I also asked the same for my partner, they said ask on arrival at Oman. First flight form Birmingham was an hour ate and we had to run form one terminal to another at Frankfurt almost missing the flight. Arrived at Oman late at night, went to the desk to ask about room for my partner, they said "wait" waited and hour, no reply so asked ok can my partner share the same room with me as mine was approved and I said if anything changes and you get her a room let me know. went to the room, fell asleep, 1 hour ater woken by phone to say my partner has to LeAVE the room ..........I was furious so for some reason they gave me a room and not her?. Arrived finally at Bangkok, both bags missing, first time ever in 20 years flying. Airline never aplogised, enquiries went nowehere. Service on baord one segment was atrocious the attendant could not even be bothered to tell us there were and puddings /sweets, i had to ask and she mentioned one? I looked at her and said anything else and reluctantly she reeled off a few more. All in all the planes are good the seats are great but they really DONT CARE I told them I ouwlnt use them again and have made my story known on their facebook and other you tube reviews.
The stupid thing was when asking for a room they could have told us that there are 4 small rooms you can sleep in at the business class lounge. INCREDIBLE!!