Business class vs economy on a Gulf Air Dreamliner

Dessert trolleys, chic styling and crew ‘that go the extra mile’: Travel experts put Gulf Air’s Dreamliner business class head-to-head with its economy cabin offering in a fascinating video

Gulf Air doesn’t have a reputation as a top airline – but it impresses in this review
Two travel experts from The Points Guy UK put the airline through its paces
Up front, indulgent food is served, including a full afternoon tea
At the back a ‘fairly bland and flavourless’ braised beef is on offer
However, the service and seat comfort in economy get the thumbs up

Gulf Air doesn’t have a reputation as a thoroughbred airline. For instance, respected UK-based air transport rating agency Skytrax has declared it’s a ‘three-star’ operation, behind British Airways, which has four stars.

However, two travel experts from The Points Guy UK are extremely impressed with the carrier when they put its business class and economy cabin head-to-head.

They film their experiences in each cabin on a Dreamliner flight from London Heathrow to Bahrain, with the ‘spectacular’ business class a riot of dessert trolleys and chic styling – and the economy cabin boasting a seat the reviewer declares might be the comfiest he’s ever sat on in cattle class.

Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK, puts Gulf Air’s Dreamliner business class to the test

Nicky describes the ‘Falcon Gold’ cabin as ‘spectacular, absolutely gorgeous’

Turning left for the video is Nicky Kelvin, Head of The Points Guy UK.

His jaw drops immediately as he boards.

He describes the ‘Falcon Gold’ cabin as ‘spectacular, absolutely gorgeous’, with a ‘spacious, fresh and private’ feel.

He says the seat, which cost £1,535, is ‘big and comfy with a really nice colour scheme as well’.

Nicky continues: ‘The cabin overall is very chic, modern and calming.’

He also loves the iPhone-style device that controls the entertainment screen and the service, which he describes as ‘exceptional’.

Nicky is presented with a dessert trolley on his way to Bahrain

On the left is Nicky’s main course – ‘soft and tender’ chicken with a ‘gorgeous’ sauce and ‘fluffy rice’. On the right, his afternoon tea

The afternoon tea is wheeled over on a trolley about an hour and a half after the main course

He says: ‘The crew come across as friendly, experienced and passionate. I do not want for anything.’

The food and beverage offering, meanwhile, is ‘fantastic’.

Nicky tucks into ‘soft and tender’ chicken with a ‘gorgeous’ sauce and ‘fluffy rice’.

Then the dessert trolley turns up and it’s time for a ‘smooth and sweet’ blueberry cheesecake with a ‘buttery biscuit base’.

But the feast doesn’t end there. An hour and a half later, a full afternoon tea turns up – ‘a tasty and luxurious touch’.

It isn’t perfect, though.

Nicky puts the lie-flat seat through its paces. He describes it as ‘big and comfy’

In business, an iPhone-style device controls the entertainment screen

Nicky says: ‘Whilst the bed is comfortable, a thicker mattress and more plush bedding would make for a better sleeping set up.’ The blanket is a bit ‘polyester-y’ for his liking.

He also says that the check-in process is a ‘little slow and confused’, though this might be because he is flying out of Terminal 2, which isn’t Gulf Air’s Heathrow ‘home’ – Terminal 4.

TPG UK’s Liam Spencer draws the short straw for this test – but at least his £375 economy berth is an empty row of three seats.

TPG UK’s Liam Spencer draws the short straw for this test – he’s in economy

Liam’s main course is braised beef, pictured, which he describes as ‘fairly bland and flavourless’

The dessert (on the right) is a highlight of Liam’s economy culinary tour

The ups?

Liam says: ‘The best service I’ve ever experienced in economy. The crew consistently go the extra mile to make sure I have everything I need. They are friendly, personable and make me feel like a valued passenger, rather than a customer.

‘The seat is very comfortable – possibly the comfiest I’ve ever sat on in economy – with soft fabric and plenty of recline. And the cabin feels extremely fresh, clean and spacious. A particular highlight of Dreamliners is their button-controlled [dimmable] windows, which add a luxury feel to the experience.’

Another win is a ‘pretty cosy fluffy blanket’.