Gulf Air Launches Singapore-Kuala Lumpur Fifth-Freedom Flights in 2026

Gulf Air, the Bahrain-based carrier, is set to introduce daily fifth-freedom flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur starting October 26, 2026. The new service will utilize Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, extending an existing route from Bahrain to Singapore before continuing to Kuala Lumpur. Flight GF165 will depart Singapore at 2:20 p.m., arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 3:30 p.m., while the return flight, GF166, will leave Kuala Lumpur at 5:35 p.m., landing in Singapore at 6:45 p.m.

The airline’s fifth-freedom rights allow passengers to book the Singapore, Kuala Lumpur sector independently, without needing to travel to or from Bahrain. This service will operate once daily in both directions, with the Singapore, Kuala Lumpur sector taking 1 hour and 10 minutes. The Boeing 787-9 will continue to Bahrain after its return from Kuala Lumpur, departing Singapore at 8:00 p.m.

Gulf Air’s new service follows its return to Kuala Lumpur after a 14-year absence, having restarted direct Bahrain, Kuala Lumpur flights on September 29, 2026. The airline previously operated fifth-freedom flights between Singapore and Bangkok but shifted to a daily nonstop Singapore, Bahrain schedule in October 2024. The new Kuala Lumpur service will make Gulf Air only the second airline to offer fifth-freedom flights on this route, joining Ethiopian Airlines.

Economy return fares for the new service start at approximately S$246, while Business Class fares begin at around S$1,025. The lowest Economy fare includes a 25-kilogram checked baggage allowance and 6 kilograms of cabin baggage. The Boeing 787-9 aircraft assigned to the route are configured with 282 seats, including 26 Business Class and 256 Economy Class seats, featuring the airline’s Falcon Gold Business Class cabin and Apex Suite seating.