THERE'S been a lot of talk recently about the first-class cabin being under threat, but with the introduction of the Gulf Air service to Bahrain before Christmas, those wishing to pamper themselves can now do so direct from Dublin Airport.

The introduction of this three class service - the first-ever scheduled long-haul flight from Dublin to a non-North American destination - shows Gulf Air's commitment to offering a high-standard of choice for its long-haul customers.

Flying directly out of Dublin to Bahrain now allows business and leisure travellers to avoid the usual stop-over in Heathrow and utilises Bahrain as a major hub to travelling further afield to destinations such as Delhi, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila and Sydney.

I recently travelled business class to Bahrain en-route to Nepal. All in all the in-flight service was excellent and with the introduction of Gulf Air's Skybed's (in First and Business Class) it's easy to get a few hours sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Currently available on all A330 aircraft, the Sky Beds (offer flexible seating to enable you to dine with a friend as well as in-seat laptop connections and phones and access to 21 video and 21 audio channels.

And, according to Gulf Air, the skybeds can results in a 27 per cent improvement in business performance!

The on-board catering was also splendid with a choice of light dishes and full meals from a range of contemporary modern European and classical Middle Eastern dishes.

For breakfast there was a choice of seasonal fruit juices, mango and honey energy drink, cereals, toast Danish pastries, muffins bread rolls; fresh eggs prepared on board, Irish breakfast, Irish buttermilk pancake with poached pear and cinnamon flavoured maple syrup or an Arabian breakfast of Foul Medames (roughly mashed broad beans seasoned with cumin and served with capsicums tomato and onion), followed by a selection teas or Arabic coffee served with figs.

Main meal included a salad starter followed by a choice of Wicklow lamb cutlets, champ and veg; Dajaj Mahshe - an authentic middle eastern dish of seared chicken, rice halloumi cheese, chickpeas and grilled vegetables in vine tomato stew, or pappardelle pasta with preserved lemons, olives, capers, rocket and extra virgin olive oil.

Round it all off with chocolate and Irish coffee cake, seasonal fruits or a cheese selection and wash down with a fine wine or a glass or two of Pol Roger 1996 vintage champagne!

Once in Bahrain avail of the excellent business GA lounge that 'Fast-tracks' you to your connecting flight.

To help families travelling with children Gulf Air also offers a free Sky Nanny service !

Gulf Air's Bahrain flight operates three times a week out of Dublin. www.gulfairco.com