Review Falcon Lounge, here is Gulf Air's VIP lounge in Bahrain airport
There was a time, not too long ago, when Gulf Air-as the name suggests-was the carrier [...]
BAH
There was a time, not too long ago, when. Gulf Air-as the name suggests-was the flag carrier of the entire Gulf: Oman, UAE, and Qatar. Before the individual states established their own companies, there was only Gulf Air. Then, in the mid-1980s, Emirates came along and everything began to change.
In this article:
Today the company is playing for the last spot with Oman Air, while Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad have now taken over. Therefore, a new CEO, Martin Gauss, with the goal of relaunching the brand, although the road will certainly not be downhill.
Access
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There is one big lounge, reserved for passengers traveling Business Class with Gulf Air or elite status holders in the Falcon Club frequent flyer program.
Unfortunately, the airline is not a member of any alliance, and there are no lounges at this airport that are affiliated with Priority Pass: if you do not have lounge access, only the public area remains.
Location
The lounge is located on the upper floor of the duty free area. Signage is clear and escalators lead directly to the entrance.
The lounge
The entrance is a bit dim, but once you cross the threshold things immediately improve. The room is much larger than it appears at first glance and is divided into two main areas: dining and relaxation.
The lounge hardly appears crowded, even at peak airport times: finding a free seat is never a problem.
The main room is the heart of the environment and offers all types of seating: tables, single armchairs, sofas. The layout, in a large rectangle, has been well divided into areas that provide a minimum of privacy. The decor is modern and elegant at the same time.
At the far end is an unexpected games area with billiards, table soccer, and a virtual reality video game booth, as well as an area for younger children.
The Wi-Fi performance is also excellent: free, fast and unlimited, with no restrictions. Nothing like what often happens in other Gulf airports and beyond.
Food & Beverage
For a business class lounge, the gastronomic offerings are interesting and in some ways surprising. The variety is wide, as evidenced by the menu.
The buffet is self-service, with local, Indian and Western offerings.
For beverages, there are refrigerators with self-service drinks spread throughout the lounge. Alcohol is served at the main bar, prominently displayed (not always a given in this part of the world), with an essential selection of spirits, wines, and beers.
In conclusion
Overall, the Gulf Air Lounge is a good lounge. The food and beverage offerings and seating availability are highlights. Transit passengers spending a few hours there will find comfort and peace of mind, with a chance to really enjoy the layover before their next flight.
The only thing that could be improved is the showers: functional but basic, to the point that I would probably prefer British Airways' showers at Heathrow over these.
