Gulf Air Baggage Allowance: Travel Hacks for Savvy Flyers

Gulf Air is Bahrain’s main airline. It was founded in 1950 and flies to 59 places in 28 African, Asian, and European countries. Its main office is in Muharraq, and it mostly flies from Bahrain International Airport.

One thing that sets Gulf Air apart is the food they serve on board. It’s not your average aeroplane food; it’s delicious! They offer a variety of tasty meals to suit different tastes, so everyone is sure to find something they enjoy. Moreover, they also have a wide selection of movies and TV shows, so passengers will never get bored during their journey.

Now, let’s discuss the Gulf Air baggage allowance!

Carry On Baggage Allowance

Gulf Air allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag with specific dimensions: 22 x 16 x 12 inches (or 55 x 40 x 30 centimetres). This bag should weigh no more than 20 pounds (about 9 kilograms). You can also bring a garment carrier, but it must not exceed 8 inches (or 20 centimetres) in width. You can bring one personal item, like a handbag or laptop, with your carry-on bag at no extra cost.

Personal Items Allowed

In addition to your main carry-on bag, you can bring certain personal items on board without paying extra. These items include:

Handbag
Laptop
Overcoat
Umbrella
Camera
And More!

You’re good to go as long as these items fit within the airline’s guidelines and aren’t used to carry other baggage. Parents travelling with infants can also bring baby food to feed during the flight. If you rely on a wheelchair, crutches, or other medical devices, Gulf Air also accommodates these needs.

Checked Baggage Allowance

The checked baggage allowance depends on several factors, including the ticket you bought, where you’re going, and whether you’re a member of Gulf Air’s Falconflyer program.

Falcon Gold Class: Passengers can bring two bags. Each bag can weigh up to 32 kilograms.
Economy class (Random Fare Ticket): Passengers can bring two bags. But each bag should weigh no more than 23 kilograms.
Economy class (Basic Fare): Passengers can only bring one bag weighing no more than 23 kilograms. So, pack wisely and only bring what you need to avoid any problems at the airport.

Dimensions

Regular baggage, like your suitcase, can be up to 76 centimetres long, 51 centimetres wide, and 31 centimetres high.

A TV shouldn’t be over 50 inches.

And if you’re packing something in a cardboard box, like gifts or souvenirs, it should also follow the same size rules as regular baggage: 76 centimetres long, 51 centimetres wide, and 31 centimetres high.

Additional Baggage Rules

Here are some additional baggage rules that travellers must know if they take special items like sports gear or musical instruments on the flight.

Smart Bags

If you have a smart bag with a lithium battery or power bank, here’s what you need to do:

First, take the battery from the smart bag and carry it in the cabin. Then, check that the smart bag meets Gulf Air’s requirements for cabin baggage, such as the right size and weight. But Gulf Air won’t let you check in the smart bag if you can’t remove the battery.

Bags That Are Not Allowed

Irregular Shaped Baggage: If the bag is too long or bulky, it might not be accepted for travel.
Blanket/Fabric-Wrapped Baggage: It makes inspecting the bag’s contents harder, which is important for security reasons. Instead, use proper luggage or packing materials to secure your belongings.
Baggage Without a Flat Surface (Ball Shaped): Bags shaped like a ball are also not allowed on the flight. This could be because they don’t stack well in the cargo area or could roll around during the flight, causing safety concerns.
Matted Woven/Plastic Baggage: These materials might not withstand the rigours of air travel and could easily tear or break, damaging your belongings.
Bags with Long, Loose Straps: These straps could get caught in conveyor belts or other equipment during baggage handling, damaging your bag or delaying your journey.

Children and Infants

Kids two years or older can bring the same amount of luggage as grown-ups. They can also bring a foldable stroller or pushchair and a car seat.

Babies under two years old can bring one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 15 kilograms. And they can also bring a foldable stroller or pushchair and a car seat for infants. Babies can also bring a small bag onboard the plane. It should be not more than 3 kilograms.

Travelling with Medical Equipment

If passengers have medical equipment like CPAP or POC devices and are flying with Gulf Air, they must tell them at least 48 hours before the flight. They will also need to give Gulf Air some documents about their medical equipment. Passengers should send these documents 48 hours before the flight so Gulf Air can check and approve them.

It’s important to know that some items may need special handling. For instance, if travellers bring a foldable wheelchair, Gulf Air will store it in the hold at the departure gate. This ensures that their mobility aid is safely taken to their destination.

Special Baggage Items

You might want to bring things that are a bit different from your regular luggage. However, you will need to let the Gulf Air staff know about these items first.

Let’s break down what you can bring!

Zamzam Water
Bicycles
Golf Clubs
SCUBA Diving Equipment
Surfboards, Windsurf Boards, Kayaks, and Hand Gliders
Paragliding and Parachuting Equipment
Kitesurfing Gear
Ten-Pin Bowling
Hockey/Lacrosse Gear
Tennis Gear
Archery
Fishing Gear
Musical Instruments
Television
Ski Equipment

Travel Hacks for Savvy Flyers

Ready to pack your bags and leave for your Gulf Air flight? Know these things first:

Use Small Toiletries

These are things like tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Airports have rules about how much liquid passengers can carry in their bags. If the toiletries are too big, security might take them away. Also, small toiletries don’t take up much space, so you’ll have more room for other important stuff in the luggage.

Keep Important Documents Handy

It’s better to keep your passport, boarding pass, and any visas or permits you might need in a safe and easy-to-reach place. You can quickly show them to airport staff or immigration officers when they ask. You don’t want to be searching for them at the last minute.

Pack Essentials in Your Carry-On

Essentials include a change of clothes, medicines, and important items like a phone charger or a travel adapter. If your checked luggage gets lost or delayed, you’ll still have everything you need until it’s found. Plus, having your essentials close by means you won’t have to dig through your suitcase during the flight.

Check Your Bag’s Weight

If your bag is too heavy, you might have to pay extra fees or leave some things behind. Use a luggage scale to avoid this. Always ensure the bags are within the weight limit before getting to the airport. Rearrange the things or pack lighter items in your carry-on bag if they’re too heavy.

Long Story Short

When passengers know these rules, their flights can be much easier and less stressful. By learning about what they can bring in their checked bags and what they can carry onto the plane, they can smartly pack their things and avoid paying extra money or having problems at the airport.

You can always talk to our customer service team if you are unsure about anything or need more help. So, remember, knowing the baggage rules can make the flight much better!