Gulf Air, business class. (Flight check: Dubai to Manama).(Product/Service Evaluation)

First impressions: I was booked on an early morning flight from Dubai's Sheikh Rashid International Terminal, Bahrain. Check-in was straightforward. I was late so I took my luggage with me and was escorted by a Gulf Air member of staff to passport control. I made a quick visit to the business class lounge where there was free internet access, hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and the day's papers and monthly magazines. Like many lounges it is no-smoking, so my swift intake of nicotine had to be taken in the exposed `goldfish bowl' of the airport's smoking room.

Boarding: Although I thought I was the last passenger to arrive at the gate, I noticed late-comers were …