Gulf Air Plans Direct Bahrain to Kuala Lumpur Flights for 2026 F1 Grand Prix

Nonstop route in the works as Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix relocates to Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit this October.

Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has confirmed its intention to launch nonstop flights between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur ahead of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which is set to take place at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October 2026. The proposed service would give motorsport fans and other travellers a direct link between the two countries during one of the standout weekends on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. Gulf Air has not yet confirmed operating dates, flight frequencies, timings or booking arrangements, with further details expected in due course.

The new flight plans follow confirmation that Sepang International Circuit will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this October. Formula 1 and the FIA announced the arrangement on 26 July, following an agreement between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia. The event remains subject to final sign-off, including approval from the World Motor Sport Council. Slotted between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, the race marks Formula 1's return to Sepang for the first time since Malaysia last featured on the championship calendar in 2017.​​​​​​​

The Bahrain Grand Prix had originally been scheduled for Bahrain International Circuit in April 2026. However, Formula 1 confirmed in March that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix would not go ahead in their original slots due to the situation in the Middle East. The revised arrangement keeps the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 2026 calendar, with Malaysia stepping in as host venue. Despite being staged thousands of miles from Bahrain, the race will retain its Bahrain and Gulf Air branding and continue to be known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

Gulf Air's association with the Bahrain Grand Prix dates back to 2004, when Bahrain became the first country in the Arabian Gulf to host a Formula 1 race. As title sponsor of the event, the airline is expected to play a key role in connecting Bahrain and Malaysia for the relocated Grand Prix weekend. Gulf Air said the planned Kuala Lumpur route would strengthen ties between the two countries while supporting travel demand linked to the race.​​​​​​​

With Gulf Air's Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur service still in the planning stages, travellers are advised to keep an eye on official schedule announcements and confirm race arrangements before finalising their trip, particularly given how plans around major sporting events can shift. 

UK travellers hoping to attend the Grand Prix can compare flight options to Kuala Lumpur and explore suitable connecting itineraries with Crystal Travel, whose team can help track upcoming schedule updates as the October race weekend approaches.