Gulf Air's fine-dining premium service

Gulf Air's launch of its all-economy Gulf Traveller airline has rather overshadowed another recent innovation for passengers who prefer to travel at the front of the aircraft.

The new premium service is aimed squarely at First and Business Class passengers, and aims to persuade them to switch from alternative carriers like Emirates and British Airways, and to fly from Abu Dhabi rather than Dubai.

AME Info undertook the onus task of sampling this new service and was impressed by what Gulf Air had to offer.

To twist the arm of First and Business Class passengers into flying from Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai International Airport, Gulf Air has laid on a free limousine service from Dubai to the UAE capital.

The choice of a fleet of Jaguar S-Type limos is a good one, as this is a stylish and comfortable motor with nostalgic appeal for UK expatriates.

And while the chauffer did not reach the S-Type's top speed, the travel time from the Dubai Media City to Abu Dhabi airport was just 50 minutes, not more than 10 minutes longer than the journey to Dubai International Airport from the DMC.

The airport itself offers quicker check-in times that Dubai by virtue of its size. But its 1970s moon-base architecture and modest shopping facilities do not really compare with ultramodern Dubai. However, for speed and simplicity Abu Dhabi wins, if that is all you want.

On board the premium service is manifest in the human form of the onboard chef and a dining on demand service. You can have your freshly prepared dining option of choice whenever you like during your flight.

Chef Laurent proved most attentive, and as his name suggests was the genuine French article. A mouthwatering salmon ravioli, top-quality salad, beef in pasty and crème brulee followed by cheese and biscuits is a nice way to pass the time on any flight. Indeed, this was easily the best in-flight meal this correspondent had ever tasted.

On the return trip, it was delightful to see Chef Laurent again ready with suggestions to amuse the palate and ease the pain of air travel.

So does it make sense for First and Business Class passengers to take up the Gulf Air premium service? Well, it is certainly worth considering this as an option if the flight times are more convenient, for Gulf Air appears to have overcome the service problems that used to annoy some passengers.

Gulf Air president and chief executive officer James Hogan hopes that Abu Dhabi will develop as the second hub of the UAE, just as Gatwick is to London's Heathrow, and that is a useful comparison. For in the UK many passengers who live nearer to Gatwick also appreciate its faster check-in times and convenience.

On balance, the new Gulf Air premium service has got something to offer certain customers, and the addition of such a new alternative for First and Business Class passengers in the UAE is to be welcomed as a useful innovation.