The airline's sophisticated gold-and-blue check-in desks caught my attention as soon as I entered Terminal 5 at O'Hare for my Gulf Air ORD Terminal trip to Bahrain. The procedure went smoothly; kind staff took good care of my bags and even gave me advice for my connection in Manama.
Access to the lounge was the true surprise. I caught up on work while enjoying Arabic coffee and mezze in Gulf Air's partner lounge, which was a peaceful haven with breathtaking views of the runway. Priority passengers were greeted first, and the crew's cordial "Marhaba" greets made me feel like a VIP before I even boarded, making the boarding process an efficient lesson. The individualized service was the most notable feature. The gate agent gave me some cultural insights about Bahrain when I explained that it was my first flight on Gulf Air. By the time of departure, I was being greeted into Gulf Air's Middle Eastern hospitality world rather than merely boarding a plane. Just the experience of the terminal made me certain that I had picked the correct airline for my flight east.