Welcome the 777
Four new Boeing jets offer a wealth of advantages for Gulf Air passengers
Gulf Air’s fleet grew last month thanks to the addition of four Boeing 777s. The nearly new airplanes, leased from Jet Airways, will gradually replace Airbus A340s on a number of routes, including London, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and within the Gulf.
The 777s offer completely private cabins in First Class, with the world’s longest fully flat bed. Business Class passengers will be able to enjoy a 180-degree lie-flat bed, and passengers in Economy Class will also have extra leg space to stretch out in.
“I am confident that this product, which has won numerous industry awards, is one of the finest in the sky and will reaffirm our position as an industry leader,” says Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Björn Näf. “This is an important step towards achieving our strategic long-term goal of re-fleeting and enhancing our product, helping to ensure that once again Gulf Air is the airline of choice.”
The 777s are being introduced on some Gulf routes in order to focus on the relatively untapped market of more than six million people in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The new planes also consume less fuel.
Club class
Gulf Air announces sponsorship of 2009 golf final
Following February’s Gulf Air International Pro Captain Challenge at the Royal Golf Club, Riffa Views, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Björn Näf announced that Bahrain’s national carrier would extend its sponsorship to the 2009 Final. The 2009 tournament will take place from 26 to 31 October.
“The Gulf Air International Pro Captain Challenge has grown in prestige year on year and is becoming an increasingly well-known fixture on Bahrain’s golfing calendar,” said Näf. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the 2009 tournament will be hosted by the Royal Golf Club. I look forward to welcoming the PGA’s representatives and the finalists then for another very successful event.”
The 36-hole 2008 Gulf Air International Pro Captain Challenge was won by PGA professional Lee Fickling and club captain Martin Dench of Bush Hill Park Golf Club, UK. The tournament, sponsored by Gulf Air for the fifth year running, marked the finale of a series of qualifying rounds held in the seven PGA regions of Great Britain and Ireland last year. Regional qualifiers from the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club in the United Arab Emirates also took part.
“We’ve had a fantastic time here in Bahrain and we’re thrilled to be going home with the title,” said Fickling, who is a former European Tour player. “The hospitality has been superb, and I certainly hope to qualify again for the 2009 Final this October.” |
