Kuwait Airways

Food and drink5 answers

Halal meals

Airline policyKuwait Airways says it serves only 100% halal food.

Kuwait Airways says in its FAQ that it serves only 100% halal food.

Does the meal turn up

Traveller or press reportA first-hand economy review describes a full hot meal service; no catering failures were found.

An economy passenger on KU113 from Kuwait to Manchester describes a hot breakfast service and says you do not go hungry on Kuwait Airways. We found no report of a halal catering failure.

On partner flights

Airline policyIts codeshare FAQ covers wheelchairs, medical cases and seats, but says nothing about meals.

Kuwait Airways' FAQ on codeshare flights covers wheelchair requests, medical cases and seat selection, which passengers arrange with the operating carrier, but says nothing about meals. Its codeshare partners include Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, ITA Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Air Europa, Aegean Airlines, German Railways and Saudia.

Alcohol on board

Airline policyNo alcohol is served on board or in its lounges.

Kuwait Airways lists meals and beverages in the cabin as complimentary, with only non-alcoholic beverages. Reviewers describe its first class drink list and its Elite Lounge in Kuwait as alcohol-free.

Amenity kit

Traveller or press reportA first class reviewer got no amenity kit; the lavatory had dental kits, combs and PAYOT toiletries.

A first class review on the 777 found no amenity kit or slippers on a long-haul flight; the lavatories had dental kits, combs and PAYOT toiletries. The same review describes first class suites with privacy doors that close manually, and a partition that can be raised between the centre seats. Kuwait Airways publishes no ingredient information for its toiletries.

Not in Kuwait Airways's published policies: Who certifies them · Ramadan

Prayer1 answer

Prayer rooms in lounges

Traveller or press reportA 2016 review found a prayer room in the Dasman Lounge; Terminal 4 has five airport prayer rooms.

A 2016 review of the Dasman Lounge in Kuwait, whose services Kuwait Airways' special services unit runs, found a prayer room inside the lounge. A review of the Elite Lounge at Terminal 4 notes it has no bathrooms of its own. Terminal 4's operator lists five prayer rooms in the terminal, open to all passengers. We found no ablution facility described in any Kuwait Airways lounge.

Not in Kuwait Airways's published policies: Space to pray · Qibla and prayer times · Crew and prayer · Water for istinja

Crew and service2 answers

Crew training

Traveller or press reportReviewers describe the travel prayer played before take-off in economy and first class.

Two first-hand reviews describe the travel prayer played before take-off, in economy on KU113 from Kuwait to Manchester and in first class on the 777 to Bangkok. The economy reviewer also noted a passenger reading religious passages aloud for much of the flight; the report mentions no crew intervention. Kuwait Airways publishes no crew training or cultural-competence policy.

Reported incidents

Airline policyUS regulators found it discriminated against Israeli passport holders in ticketing.

The US Department of Transportation found that Kuwait Airways unlawfully discriminated against a passenger on an Israeli passport by refusing to sell him a ticket from New York JFK to London Heathrow, and that it unreasonably discriminates against Israeli citizens in its ticketing. A University of Bonn international-law blog reports that Kuwait Airways suspended that route rather than comply, cancelled its intra-European routes after litigation in Switzerland in 2016, and in September 2018 refused to carry an Israeli citizen from Munich to Colombo after he asked about kosher food. We found no case involving Muslim passengers.

Not in Kuwait Airways's published policies: Hijab in crew uniform · Help from women staff · Eid and Ramadan on board

Seating and families1 answer

Sitting together as a family

Airline policyFamilies are seated together at check-in when seats allow; seats chosen in advance may cost extra.

Kuwait Airways says it makes every effort at check-in to seat passengers on the same booking together, depending on availability, and that passengers who want to be sure can select seats in advance, where economy seat charges may apply. Every aircraft has free standard-zone seats, and chargeable standard-zone seats become free within 24 hours of departure. Bassinet seats are chargeable for the accompanying adult in economy, though the carry cot is free. Fee exemptions cover OASIS Gold and Silver members and stretcher or oxygen bookings, not families.

Not in Kuwait Airways's published policies: Changing seats

Hajj, Umrah and routes2 answers

Zamzam water

Airline policyOne 5-litre Zamzam piece from Saudi stations, counted within the free baggage allowance.

Passengers travelling from Saudi stations, except infants, may carry one 5-litre piece of Zamzam water as part of their free baggage allowance. It may not be packed inside checked bags, must be water designated for air transport and approved by GACA, and is not accepted as part of the allowance on an interline connection or for passengers starting outside Saudi Arabia.

Routes to Muslim-majority countries

Airline policyFlies to Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam, and runs pilgrim flights each Hajj season.

Kuwait Airways' Middle East destinations page lists Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam. The Times Kuwait, reporting KUNA, says the airline forms a Hajj and Umrah committee every year, flew pilgrims home from Jeddah, Taif and Madinah, and provided ground handling at Terminal 4 for pilgrims flying Saudia and Flynas.