Gulf Air resumes US flights after nearly three decades

Gulf Air is set to reintroduce flights to the United States after nearly 30 years, with services commencing in October. The Bahrain-based airline will operate three weekly flights from Bahrain International Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting October 1.

Initially, Gulf Air will operate from Terminal 1 at JFK but plans to move operations to the new Terminal One when it opens around June 2026. The last time Gulf Air served the U.S. was in 1997, with flights originating from both Zayed International Airport and Bahrain International Airport.

Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Gulf Air, had previously hinted at a return to the U.S. during the Routes World conference last October but did not specify details at that time. He mentioned that any such plans would follow compliance with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Homeland Security requirements.