Gulf Air returns to U.S flight market

Gulf Air returns to U.S aviation market after nearly 30 years following their recent announcement of direct flights between New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Bahrain from 2025.

Gulf Air returns to the U.S

Gulf Air shared their significant expansion to the North America region and establishing a new connection for the new service. Gulf Air provided travel in the U.S market for a short period between 1994 and 1997 but since took time to focus on its efforts as a regional connector. Now, the airline has turned to creating new connections to a vital global and commercial hub in the U.S.

Gulf Air Group Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Goh stated:

“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.”

To reconnect with the U.S aviation network, Bahrain undertook strenuous efforts to achieve FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Category 1, which is crucial for flying to the United States. With their new aviation designation accomplished, Gulf Air returns to U.S market with hopeful tourism increases for Bahrain.

A recent announcement of regularly scheduled non-stop flights operating between Bahrain International Airport and JFK will be underway from Oct. 1, nearly three decades since the airlines departure from the U.S aviation market in 1997.  Connecting Bahrain to the U.S, passengers will have the option of direct flying to both destinations, encouraging and increasing tourism for both regions. It will initially serve JFK’s current Terminal One using the Boeing 787-9 aircraft to aide its return, before moving to the new Terminal One currently under-construction in 2026.

Network expansion with Gulf Air

With Gulf Air’s recent return to the U.S flight markets, seasonal, direct flights were announced Dec. 2024 after nearly 30 years. The flag carrier introduced their summer destinations which opens up a fortune of destination possibilities for travellers. With their recent announcement of direct, non-stop flights with exciting new routes such as Geneva in Switzerland, and Rhodes in Greece, passengers now have choice of destinations at their convenience. These short-but-sweet introductions for the summer season, strategic expansions to Gulf Air’s network is underway. Keeping leisure and business destinations at the heart of the airline.

What do you think of Gulf Air’s return to the U.S flight market? Let us know in the comments below.