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Gulf Air to add New York flights, return to US after nearly 30-year absence
Edward Russell
Contributor
Edward Russell is a contributor for TPG. An AvGeek at heart, he covered the airline business at FlightGlobal for eight years and previously covered finance in New York and Hong Kong.
July 18, 2025
•
3 min read
Gulf Air to add New York flights, return to US after nearly 30-year absence
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Gulf Air will land in New York in October, returning to the U.S. after nearly three decades.
The Bahrain-based carrier will offer thrice-weekly flights to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from Bahrain International Airport (BAH) on a Boeing 787-9 from Oct. 1, Gulf Air said July 15.
Gulf Air will initially operate from Terminal 1 at JFK before moving to the new Terminal One when it opens around June 2026.
New York JFK's $19B rebuild: The giant, new Terminal One is just a year away
The airline last served the U.S. in 1997 with flights to JFK from both Zayed International Airport (AUH) and BAH, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.
Gulf Air CEO Jeffrey Goh hinted at a return to the U.S. at the Routes World conference last October. While he declined to say when or where, he indicated that the airline planned to begin flights after meeting all Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Homeland Security requirements.
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The airline plans to grow to around 75 destinations by the end of the decade, Goh said at the time.
Gulf Air today serves 65 destinations, including seasonal markets, according to Cirium.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
In addition to the new route, Gulf Air unveiled Thursday an order for up to 18 additional Boeing 787s. The deal, split between 12 firm orders and six options, would increase the airline's long-haul fleet to as many as 30 787s when deliveries are complete.
Gulf Air operates 10 787-9s with, prior to the latest order, two aircraft on order, Boeing Orders and Deliveries data shows.
Gulf Air is not a member of one of the three big airline alliances — Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance — and has few ties with U.S. carriers. They include a limited codeshare agreement with American Airlines that allows it to place its "GF" code on select American-operated flights to the U.S. However, the relationship does not apply to American frequent flyers traveling on Gulf Air, according to American's website.
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Featured image by Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.