I flew long-haul in Gulf Air's 'Apex Suite' business class. I'll always book it over its better-known rivals.

• I find Gulf Air’s “Apex Suite” offers competitive business class comfort at a lower price point.
• The Boeing 787 provides aisle access and coziness despite the 2-2-2 layout.
• My Gulf Air fare from Bahrain to Bangkok was $2,044, much cheaper than Emirates or Qatar.

I flew Gulf Air from Dubai to Bangkok via Bahrain in May.

I boarded my red-eye flight to Bangkok around 10 p.m. via a dedicated jetbridge for premium flyers.

Breakfast was simple but well-timed.

But there are a few gaps. I had to request turndown service and the inflight library trails both Emirates and Qatar. Those are easy wins left on the table.

Despite all that, I won’t stop booking the Apex Suite. Gulf Air runs roughly $1,400 less than Emirates and $900 less than Qatar on this route — that’s equal to a few nights at a five-star hotel in Bangkok and a Michelin-level dinner.

If it’s your first time in business class, this is a smart place to start. If you already fly often and are open to a unique way to fly business class, you’re getting the same experience without the brand premium.