Gulf Air takes bite of Big Apple with Bahrain–New York relaunch
October 3, 2025
Gulf Air has relaunched nonstop flights from Bahrain to New York, having last served the US city in 1997.
The first flight touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport on 30 September, welcomed by Bahraini and US dignitaries.
The restart comes after nearly three decades without nonstop links between Bahrain and the United States.
Gulf Air has been expanding its international presence in recent years, with the launch of summer services to Nice and Geneva this year.
However, this is the first time in 28 years that it has entered the competitive transatlantic market.
Gulf Air: From Manama to Manhattan
Gulf Air will operate three weekly flights to JFK, operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
At the arrival ceremony in New York, Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, highlighted the wider symbolism of the relaunch, calling it a “turning point” in ties between Bahrain and the US.
The relaunch also aligns with Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy 2022–2026, which seeks to raise the kingdom’s international profile and expand visitor numbers from high-value markets.
Sara Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said the route is a “qualitative leap” in efforts to tap into the North American market and put Bahrain more firmly on the global tourism map.
Why New York matters for Gulf Air
New York is among the most competitive long-haul markets in the world, with carriers from Europe, the Gulf, and North America all fighting for passengers.
Gulf Air’s decision to return suggests confidence in its brand and a belief that Bahrain can serve as an effective hub for connecting traffic.
Gulf Air will operate three weekly services between Bahrain International Airport and JFK, providing onward connections across the Americas via interline and codeshare partners.
For Gulf Air, the route not only opens direct access to the United States but also strengthens its positioning in an era where Gulf competitors – notably Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad – have built extensive US and transatlantic networks.
While Gulf Air does not have the same scale as its regional rivals, the relaunch signals a willingness to test the market.
Expanding ambitions
Gulf Air has been steadily modernising its fleet and network in recent years, investing in new aircraft and adding services to key markets in Europe and Asia.
Gulf Air Group Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Goh (who will be replaced by Martin Gauss in November) said, “We are excited to announce the launch of our direct flights to New York’s JFK and our return to the North American market.
“This service aligns with Gulf Air’s strategy of calibrated expansion and serving strategic markets, providing passengers with greater choice and convenience for travel, through Bahrain International Airport, between Bahrain and North America, and beyond, supporting the connectivity strategy of the Kingdom.”
The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain recently announced the signing of an agreement with Boeing valued at up to $4.6 billion, based on list price, to acquire 18 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
