Kuwait Airways no longer flies between New York JFK and London because it would have had to carry Israeli passport holders to do so under US law, while the government of Kuwait does not recognize the state of Israel.
But they do fly non-stop between New York and Kuwait City. And they offer one of the least expensive premium products in the world. Historically that premium product has been awful (and they’re a dry airline to boot) but it’s cheap. For instance, here’s Cairo – New York JFK in business class for $592:
That’s not even a one off, it’s available all the time:
Colombo, Sri Lanka — an easy to use return point from the Maldives — is available in business from less than $1000.
Here’s the thing: it’s not going to remain a terrible hard product, at least, because the Kuwait City – New York JFK route is getting the airline’s brand new Boeing 777-300ER.
This amidst greater competition as Gulf rival Saudia (which is government-supported and bigger than Etihad) is introducing first class suites onboard its new Boeing 777s. There’s no question its business class is antiquated (albeit with nice Ferragamo amenities).
@iflyplaces shared his friend Abhi’s photos of the new Kuwait Airways Boeing 777-300 flying New York JFK – Kuwait City.
First class offers fully enclosed suites.
Business class is finally fully flat, albeit not with direct aisle access for all seats.
The economy cabin is good looking, with video on demand at each seat and reportedly generous legroom.
And the plane has seat power. And wifi.
Did the airline really cancel its service between NYC and LHR only because of it not being able to legally transport passengers with just an Israeli passport? Didn’t the airline continue the flight at least for some days even after the US DOT ruling against it?
A lot of the non-US-and-non-European carriers with US-LHR service have gotten out of this market because it wasn’t economically viable in the way it used to be.
Kuwait Airways ticket prices for flights connecting London with NYC were bottom-of-the-barrel fares in USD terms at the time and for years before that DOT ruling too. It seems the Kuwaiti airline picked the right time to abandon its US-UK/UK-US service since it’s not like the route is a major or even easy money maker in the way it was some years ago. Glad to see the Kuwaiti airline serve the US with non-stop service to KWI; but I have to wonder how viable this route is, especially given the strategies of the GCC3 carriers seems to have already topped out for now in their own ways. The GCC3 have a route network and frequency of service that Kuwait Airways can’t replicate in the current environment, but maybe it’s the US cargo and other flag carrier-related benefits that has Kuwait wanting a US route.
With out an efficient management Kuwait airways can make progress, they are retiring experts of many years experience to reduce salaries by recruiting inexperienced people with bogus qualification and experience, just having new aircraft and latest facilities cos kuwait airways manager has no brains.one can’t compare horse with an ass as my is always the latter
so you still have Israeli passport ? Thats why you keep on bringing this issue… ?
Do they serve alcohol? Thx
@Marcus No, a dry airline means they don’t serve alcohol.
I flew them once in Y (ORD-KWI) about 15 years ago and it was the single worst international flight I’ve been on. Boarding was pure chaos (even for premium passengers), bathrooms were filthy and actually ran out of toilet paper (which wasn’t replaced) about half way through the flight, food was inedible, FA’s were downright hostile to pax.
Based on that experience, I wouldn’t expect a decent experience in J or F.
I flew KU on Geneva Kuwait and back Business class on board an Airbus A330, It was one of the best flight experiences ever! Comfortable seats delicious food, very good IFE and WIFI! The new 777 looks even better! Definitely will fly again.
I plan to travel kwi-jfk on 15 sept and return on 4th Oct.Can anyone find out if the new b777-300er will be operational on that dates or not?Amadeus shows as b777-200/300…
Used them last winter from FRA-BKK and back BKK-FRA. Loved the brand new Boing 777. I never had more space in Economy and the flight was only 420€. This winter I have my (6 months) ticket again for 442€ FRA-BKK-FRA. The old airport was like a bus station but now the new terminal is open. Lets see what they build there.