Gulf Air
Reviews and Complaints

I am writing this letter to you in order to complain about the loss of luggage I recently encountered. My luggage was checked in at 2 PM on February 26 connecting flight from Riyadh to Bahrain then Bahrain to Manila Philippines. Gulf airways GF 2168. Flight booking reference: GF / YBNYGV...and upon arrival at the conveyor my luggage was not seen which would be considered as lost.it can be seen in the camera CCTV that I argue because the teller which is a gentle man and the other are all ladies do not put my other luggage sticker and he insist he know his job..I'm Jonathan Ombajin Sepe have an iqama number [protected]

We are 6 passengers which our flight was cancelled on 1st of Feb which planned to depart Bahrain on 4th of Feb at 1am ( Flight Number GF45), as resolution we have been transferred to the morning flight on the same day at 9:40 am (Flight Number GF34). This changes cost us 1315$ to change the connection flight to belgrade which was scheduled to depart from Istanbul at 8:20 am.

Below my contact details

Email: ahmed.[protected]@gmail.com

Mobile: [protected]

Hi,
I have recently flown with Gulf air on Sunday 09 Jan from Karachi to London via Bahrain GF03
When I called Gulf air regarding pre covid test I was referred to the the website link gulf air.com/covid 19 & check policy for my final destination where it was very clear that no covid test was required. However I was informed on 2 occasions by your customer service that the test is necessary so on Saturday I urgently booked test for myself, my husband and our son to avoid the situation of being in the airport without the test. Since it was the last minute booking and I needed my results within 10 hours the price I paid was on higher side. Anyways when I reached the airport I was notified that they don't need the negative PCR test and that it was scrapped from Friday 7th jan.

I was extremely disappointed to know that I wasted my money just because of the wrong advice from Gulf Air. Now I would like to request Gulf air to review my case honestly and compensate for the wrong advice. All phone calls were recorded.

Kind regards,
Sadia
[protected]

I had booked a flight from bangalore to dammam for the travel dates 17th of April 2020.. through al Mosafer agency in gulf air airlines. The pnr no isEBQIHZ.. tickets were booked on 27th of January 2020.. due to Covid gulf air cancelled the flight for this sector.. I contacted al Mosafer for refund. But they told me contact the airline..they extended the ticket upto June 2021.. when I contacted them again for extension they refused saying that this ticket was issued by third party .. you have to contact them..when I contacted al Mosafer they are saying to contact airline
When I again contacted the airline they said that this ticket has expired.. and they cannot do any thing about it..
My request is to please extend or give me credit balancemy amount for the ticket as this sector has not started.. I have not used these tickets.. the money is with gulf air.. the cost of the ticket Saudi riyal 5129/-

Please help me get my refund or credit balanace

Hi there,

3rd jan2020 I had a confirmed ticket by gulf air in my hand at the king fahad international airport, I reached the airport before 4 hours departure of the flight and as soon boarding is opened I was the first or second passenger in the line for the check in when I present my ticket and passport to the agent she said just wait and stay side the line we will deal you after a while, so I was standing there and waiting my turn, after half n hour when I asked her 2 3 time that why you are not boarding me she divert me to another agent line, again waiting in that line and when my turn comes this agent also said wait for few minutes we will deal you, its now more than 2 hours gone and I was still waiting side of the line with confirm ticket in my hand, when its 20 to 30 minutes are left to closing the boarding I was jump the line and asking the agent why you are not allowing me for boarding, he just said I dont know I dont know just wait in that time I argue with him and told him that I will not move from the counter until you will answer my question, then he called his station manager which is young person and he start arguing with me with threat if you do not move from here I will call the police, I took stand and said why you have to call the police just give me valid answer and finish the argument, but he insist that just wait and I will not allow you to board, in the same time he called police and 2 police man was appeared there they took my passport and my ticket also they want to arrest me on the front of the all passengers, but thank god they doesn't have handcuff with them but they hold me from hand take me to the down hall, then they asked me what happened I explained them that I am on right I have confirmed ticket so why they not allowed me to fly, they are also agreed with me, but when they talk to the station manager their behavior is change and they said you have to come with us to police station or say sorry to this person, I said sorry with heavy heart becoz it was not my fault but I want to finish this headache and harassment, then this gulf air person arrange a taxi for me with another passanger to take me khobar from khobar they were provided a bus and by bus they take me to the bahrain airport.

I submit my complain to the gulf air in fab-2020, and they replied me with formal words in april, which is look like they didnt feel my pain my mental situation that time also they doesn't notify me further about my complaint.

On 28 August my wife and I arrived at Istanbul Airport (IST) to check-in for our Gulf Air flight back to Dubai (DXB). It is important to note that we are both residents of the UAE and checked all the return entry requirements to board the flight. This includes a negative PCR Test, residency VISA and a valid passport.
To be clear this did not include a GDFRA return permit as we had not visited a red zone country in the last 14 days (or in the last six months for that matter). Moreover whilst my wife holds a Dubai VISA, I myself have an Abu Dhabi residence VISA which means I cannot apply for a GDFRA return permit (as these are only for Dubai VISA holders), but instead can apply for an ICA (Identity and Citizenship Authority) return permit, which is applicable to holders of VISAs issued by all the other Emirates of the UAE, excluding Dubai.
We approached the check-in counter at which time we were immediately told that a GDFRA return permit was required for ALL passengers flying to Dubai regardless of VISA. Moreover it was explained to us that all passengers in the previous weeks flying to Dubai had all had GDFRA return permits regardless of VISA (please note that this is impossible due to the aforementioned reason).
Despite this situation we indicated that we would attempt to complete the application form online. Even approaching the local merchants to make use of their computers. When this failed the Gulf Air staff indicated that we should speak with the Emirates ticketing office and airline check-in staff (located on the complete opposite side of the airport) as they could explain in better detail the requirements to fly to Dubai.
We proceeded to walk with all our luggage and no assistance from Gulf Air to the other side of the airport. However after speaking with the Emirates staff they confirmed our understanding that a GDFRA was not necessary in our circumstance, confirming the initial information in this complaint. Upon return to the Gulf Airline check-in counter we explained to the Counter manager what Emirates Airline had said and we were met with severe and shocking hostility. She directed two of her staff to accompany us back to the Emirates check-in counter, telling one of them what we had told her, but in an extremely rude tone indicative of a person who believed that we were lying. My wife even tried to deescalate the situation, but the manager was so incredibly hostile and rude that further communication with her became counter-productive.
We therefore proceeded back to the Emirates counter with the Gulf Air Staff, one of whom along the way informed my wife that they did not care for our situation and that we were in fact wasting their time and, as indicated above, reiterated that every passenger going to Dubai in the last few weeks had a GDFRA regardless of the VISA they held. This Gulf Air staff member was so rude he actually stopped assisting my wife with her bag and left us half way.
Once back at the Emirates counter the Emirates staff explained to the remaining Gulf Air staff member that had not abandoned us that we did not require a GDFRA, however as the Gulf Air staff was apparently insisting on a document that was impossible to obtain, the Emirates staff themselves attempted to assist us in vain. I want to emphasize this point, that another airline's staff attempted to help us more than the Gulf Air staff with whom we had booked our tickets.
As the final check-in time approached we became more desperate, unable to present an impossible document, we broke-down and pleaded with the staff for compassion and understanding. Despite having presented an ICA return permit for myself and a GDFRA for my wife we were refused boarding onto the flight and were with an incredible amount of hostility in the face of incredible desperation told to leave the check-in counter immediately and were promptly ignored despite our sorrowful state by the entire Gulf Air staff.
It sickens me to think that the staff of an international airline can lack so much humanity and empathy in the face of such desperation, especially after being explained to that what they were requesting was impossible.
Under such circumstances we have been emotionally and mentally hurt.

I booked one ticket from gulair website ryd to dubai. They deducted the ticket amount twice at the same exact time. I didn't received a single email for confirmation from gulf air. However I received the sms with a different booking reference than one I have from the screenshot of details I took at the time of booking.
I do received call from the agent regarding the requirements of travel (which were also nit informed to me correctly). And I mentioned this to him that I have received different booking reference in sms, but there was no response.

Later I requested for refund from the customer care on one was helpful at all. And asking for a charge for $100 for refund, which doesn't even make any sense.
The was deducted twice at the exact same time, how can a person add all the details from the start to end within 60 seconds. The error was from Gulfair website I should be given complete refund.
They really had waisted my a lot time already

A SERIOUS COMPLAINT
On 23rd July 2021, from Yemen, I purchased a gulf airway ticket (two flights; Cairo to Faisalabad, GF 072-[protected]). Departure was supposed to be on 2nd August at 20:05 from Cairo and on 3rd August at 00:45 from Bahrain.
When I reached to Cairo airport at check in, the Gulf airway officer did not allow me to travel saying that the ticket in front of her in the system had different details from the one I had and it showed my name having a seat on 2nd August from Cairo to Bahrain and on 5th August from Bahrain to Faisalabad and she said she could not allow me to board the plane because two days transient is not allowed in Bahrain. The airlines cancelled their flight on 3rd August and put my name on 5th August for my 2nd flight though they knew that two days transient was not allowed in Bahrain and then they did not allow me to board the plane saying that two days transient is not allowed.
I told her that long transient is not allowed in Cairo airport and my ticket is from Gulf airlines and to kindly find a solution for the problem. She insisted that there is nothing the gulf airway can do and that the ticket I purchased have flights on unsuitable dates because the 2nd flight was on 5th August and two days transient is not allowed in Bahrain and therefore she said she could not allow me to travel. She insisted that it is not the problem of Gulf airway. I explained to her again and again that I did not choose 5th August for my 2nd flight and my 2nd flight was on 3rd August and the airways is the one who changed it from 3rd to 5th August after they cancelled their flight on 3rd August and that is not my mistake but the airway's mistake.
I asked the other officers to kindly let me file a complaint to the gulf airline office in Cairo and they said the officer I talked to is the Gulf airway representative.
I talked to her again and asked to kindly let me file a complaint and she was very rude saying that it is not the problem of Gulf airlines and there is no complaint office! She asked the officers to take me to a hall and keep me till I, myself, manage my departure to Pakistan or be deported to where I came from.
I told Gulf airway representative again and again that I am not allowed to stay in Cairo airport as long transients are not allowed and to kindly arrange my traveling as it is Gulf airway's responsibility; they said "We can not do anything, manage your problem!"
I again asked them to please adjust my seat in the flights as my ticket was purchased from their airline but no positive response; rather a very rude threatening response.
I have been travelling with different airlines for 23 years and there were previous experiences of flights being delayed or cancelled and it is always the responsibility of the airlines to arrange replacement flights (even if from other airlines) within the allowed hours of stay in the different airports.
Your airline caused me great suffering in Cairo airport as for 32 hours I am sitting in a hall on a chair searching for flights to purchase by myself. The situation forced me to purchase the nearest departing flight to Pakistan on Oman airway dated 3rd August after more than 32 hours stay at the airport with gulf airway officers refusing to solve the problem they created for me!
I reached today morning to Pakistan and now filing this complaint to your head office in Bahrain. I travelled a lot but never faced such an extremely bad experience! It could have easily been solved by your office in Cairo airport if they adjusted the seats but they kept on insisting that it is not their responsibility and I have to manage by myself. It was your airline who created this big problem for me and your staff who created this very bad experience for me with money loss, time waste, psychological and physical torture!

I have flight tomorrow 10th may 2021but I received call from gulf air office thy told me that my flight is cancelled because of over load 🙃 so thy issue me new ticket on 17th may 2021. But I loss my money on doing my covid test which is attached. And i'm from ajk kashmir on border area and I stop my family for eid shopping I told them I will bring all clothes for my kid's for eid im really in tension because gulf air only selected me for off boarding

1. I have made the following booking ref: ZAIVPR ( 2, 975 SAR)on 31st March, and I flew the first direction as planned:

2. On 24th of April I got an email reminder about my trip back on 1st of May and on 28th a promotional offer to upgrade my booking.

3. On 29th April I contacted Gulf Air international phone service intending to request to shift my Bahrain-Dammam leg for 15 days so I can quarantine in Bahrain before entering Saudi as required by Saudi government regulations for travelers from France. I was surprised when the operator told me that my flight was canceled and the note on the system was that "I was contacted by phone but couldn't be reached". And the only option for me to fly on 1st May was to book a new flight, I tired to request her help to correct my situation as I have already booked that flight and I was not notified about any cancelation. The answer was if you want to fly on 1st of May you have to make a new booking with new price as maintaining the same price would push my booking to further dates. After that as well very surprising she asked me whether I want to keep the old booking or cancel it "Which contradicts with the previous statement", I chose to cancel the booking. I was not refunded the canceled ticket.
4. On the same call She made me a new booking on 1st May Ref. ANGHHT ( 3, 078 SAR), I took this flight.

Main points:
1. Gulf Air was contacting me via e-mails, why was my flight canceled without sending me any e-mail although I was receiving emails from Gulf Air confirming my flight is on.
2. This situation feels awkward as the only confirmation of the cancelation and the support to try to help reinstate the initial booking was all a word of mouth from the service desk.
3. I was left with no options but to make new booking and was not provided with any escalation options or contacts to raise my complain.
4. I paid for first booking 2 way flight ZAIVPR ( 2, 975 SAR) and Second booking 1 way flight ANGHHT ( 3, 078 SAR).

Confirmation number OLCFJL
On our return journey we had a connecting flight to London. The flight was delayed 2 hours 55 minutes! We had to pass security, we were unable once through to go anywhere once through. We were not issued with food vouchers or even offered water ! There was a lot of tension between passengers & staff & at one point the gulf air spokesman at the gate was rudely spoken to by a very angry crowd of passengers!
However this was caused by a lack of the Gulf air spokesmen informing us of the situation, him also being very rude & threatening towards all the passengers!
I'm sure you have had rather a lot of passengers complain to you about this particular flight & service.
I purchased 2 tickets for myself & girlfriend, London-Bahrain-Dubai
Dubai-Bahrain-London.
I had reported this delay, rudeness of gulf air staff, lack of information given to us of the situation, no food voucher or water given.
I reported this on my return in mid May 2017, I've not had any reply to my email !
Very disappointed in this service ! If I do not hear back from this email I shall have no option but to go down other routes & claim compensation for such poor service!

Sallam hi my name is nadir Patel my email id [protected]@gmail.com my flight ref no nknlao I booked for 24 dec evening flight but your change of conction time Bahrain to Mumbai change so I need go now morning flight I lose out my day wages cause so inconvenience for all off us I try to complain before but no one come to me so I try again can you look in to it and can u compensate any way that's great wait to hear from you

I want to raised a complain in the Airlines. We arrived last Sunday Nov. 3 at 6:30pm from Moscow - Bahrain - Dammam without our two check in baggages. We immediately made a report in Swissport Lost & Found in King Fahad International Airport and had their contact number. We supposed to book another flight this week for our vacation but we came home without our bags. I keep on calling the Swissport but still theres no update from Gulf Air and they cannot even hardly track our luggages. After 3 days of waiting we went to Gulf Air Khobar branch to make another report and they just advised us to send emails. I got a response and they said it was in Bahrain on the 4th day with a different bag tags. They asked to describe whats inside of those 2 black and purple luggages and even asked the brands, I enumerately told them (coats, jackets, boots, shoes, perfume, supplements, hair Iron toiletries, etc.) After 5 days we finally received our two luggages and it was opened in Moscow with the sticker Domodedovo on it. the lock and zipper and the two bags itself was totally broken, my things in the puple bag were about to come out and they just put a scatch tape around it. Who is responsible for this damage, delays and for compensation we supposed to have?

I just reached Home from airport and found that my 2 costly watches are lost from my luggage. Watches models are Swiss and fossil. Ticket number [protected] (Bahrain to Delhi) 14:30 to 21:00, GF 134 flight number.
It's very disappointing that theft is happening in international airlines.
Please investigate the issue and acknowledgment from gulf air will be appreciated.
If I will not get any response from gulf air, I will take legal action.
Thanks,
Manish Kumar
+ 91 [protected]

Respected sir my mother and father was coming back to india from madina to india via Bahrain the officer at airport of madina was very rude...he just want money...he collected money from haji who just performed the hajj and coming back to home...he didnt allow my mother to bring her two bags even it was less then total 46 capacity worst...worst ...gulf air...

My complaint refrance number is [protected] in till now no body reply me. My cpmplant is below

Title: mr
First name: yasir
Last name: bashir
Ffp number:

Email: engineer. [protected]@gmail.com
Address: abu dhabi city
City: abu dhabi
Country: united arab emirates
Contact number: [protected]

Booking information: booking reference
Booking reference: uwwcsp
Ticket number:

Feedback subject: refund
Feedback type: complaint
Feedback: sir my flight from islamabad to abu dhabi via bahrain airline on dat 24 august 2019. I was came from islamabad to bahrin this flight delay from islamabad when I reach in bahrain air port my next flights is takeoff for abu dhabi your bahrain air port staff is not cooperative by your staff mistake I loss my flight from bahrain to abu dhabi then he not cooperative with me he charge me 460 aed extra then he give me new ticket for next flight my flight already from islamabad to abu dhabi via bahrain. I false to much problem this is my very bad experience to fly with gulf airline

I dont like next journey with gulf air line. Please take necessary action this is your kind information.
Thanks and best regards
Yasir bashirrpi se

Web reference number: [protected]
 

I have a hand carry bag which is in my hand till plan but at the door your airhostest says to book this handbook I give my hand carry to your hostest.I have a gold brecelate which is stealing your hostest or any body but I conform your management stealing my brecelate please return our brecelate otherwise I wana go to the court for case to gulf airline.

Hi there I just want to raise a complain against mytrip uk.com company number is 02081444417they took deposit of me me and they cancel my ticket and they're meant to be refunding me and they still not referred me it's been 2 months so my concern is that I don't understand why gulf airline giving them no business the why didn't helping me out to to get my refund and also I need to raise a complaint I don't understand how many other people have been cheating all of the issue my kids and my family we are going through a lot of stressed and we been suffering and messed up all our holidays I don't understand why you let them trade and were kind of Customer Services there they're not refunding me and scamming around so I have been worked over 2 years to save up money and plan for those holidays and they took in one minute all my money and not giving me refund and you need to understand where I'm coming from and really getting my refunded sort it out thank you for understanding

Dear Mr Syed,

I would like to raise complaints about your staff and how they dealt with me and my family.

On the evening of Friday 29th March 2019, I went to take a flight with my family. I was checking my luggage in, all within weight of each luggage's allowance. Your supervisor on duty was rude and abrupt and when I asked to speak to his manager he said no one was available. When I asked for his name, he refused to give this, instead his rudeness continued. He had no name badge on. I can describe that he was an Asian male, slim with glasses.

The Supervisior went to explain that I was not permitted to use these cases what were bold in colour. I stayed only the Friday before I had dropped two families off to the airport with the same type of bag. I asked the supervisor to show me where it states that on my email of luggage allowance. He pulled out a picture from behind the desk and showed me. However my bag was not in the picture. I suggested getting it wrapped, to which he stated he will not allow the baggage to get checked in. I asked him why and he stated it is because gulfair do not allow these sort of baggage.

He stated that I had to go and purchase suitcases from the shop at the airport and told me where these shops were.

I had to purchase three suitcase, as two suitcases would not fit the shape of some of my items. I have enclosed a picture of each of the suitcase I purchased that evening, these were the most affordable ones I could purchase there was nothing cheaper.

Now what happened because I had to purchase the 3rd suitcase (in total that cost me £260) it meant that I had to purchase and extra luggage for some of £109.70.

I feel your supervisor misled me to purchase suitcases and luggage, when gulfair did accept them.

I actually took pictures of other passengers with exactly the same bag travelling with the same airline.

When I eventually reached Dhaka airport, only to find, the suitcase had been cut open with a knife and the handle had been ripped as well as other damages, the hard case had a massive dent on the corner of it. I spoke to the supervisor, who was reluctant to open an investigation. He merely gave me his card and told me to contact him. I wanted an investigation to be opened up. I took pictures of these damages. When I got to London Heathrow, I spoke to Mr Dhanji who directed me to you. I showed the two suitcase that had been damaged on the way to Bangladesh and the other two being damaged on the way back to UK.

1) I would like to know if there is an ombudsman who over see complaints?

2) what is you complaint process?

3) I want a full refund, of suitcases and extra luggage I had to purchase, as I was mislead to purchasing this. I also have proof other passengers had the same bags for your airline.

4) the damages caused by your airlines has meant I am no longer able to use these suitcase.

I have kept the 4 suitcases as evidence. As I intend to take this matter all the way.

I would like to be compensated for my financial loss.

Abdul Basit Ansari, purchased a GF ticket for the sector Mumbai - Bahrain - Dammam. (ticket attached)

The flight was scheduled for 06th April from Mumbai. Departure was at 06:25 pm

The flight was to reach Bahrain 07:25 pm and it reached on time.

From Bahrain I had a connection to Dammam at 08:35 pm

However, inspite the Gulf Air flight form Mumbai reached Bahrain on time but since GF overbooked the flight from Bahrain to Dammam myself and other 21 passengers were strangled at Bahrain airport.

We were forced to board a bus from Bahrain to Dammam although we purchased a flight ticket.

The above scenario was acceptable but this harassment did not stop there.

Upon enquiry with the GF staff at Bahrain airport, a lady (very very rude) was not ready to answer our questions and was treating us like animals.

The only option is by Bus and the Bus is scheduled at 02:00 am the next day.

Her reply was like she was doing a favor on us by providing us the Bus service.

I did not expect this service by GF staff.

Upon repeated enquiry, we were told that if we keep enquiring, they will file a case against us and will arrest us in a lock up.

After an argument of 4 hours we were given a Bus.

Then this also not ended here, the driver took us to his office, there a new driver was given the charge of the Bus.

We reached the King Fahad Cause Way and cleared the Bahrain immigration.

Then we cleared the Saudi immigration but then the driver was not ready to drive the bus any further.

Upon enquiry, he told that he don't have Saudi Visa…. Strange…

He told us that he is waiting for a driver from Saudi and once the driver come he will take us to customs and then to the bus stand in Dammam or Rakah.

There we waited for another 1 and half hour, just for the driver……

Finally the driver came and we reached our bus stand at 4:45 am

Although we had arrangements for our pick up from Dammam Airport.

Now please explain the below grievances: