Review: Oman Air experience

Oman Air B787 business class
Abu Dhabi-Muscat-Bangkok-Bangkok-Muscat-Abu Dhabi
May, 2016

My decision to go to Bangkok with Oman Air was made at the last minute. After my original plans fell through, I was looking to spend two weeks at an affordable destination, but with a high level of comfort.

Oman Air fit the bill, with a business-class fare less than two-thirds the price of the big regional operators, Etihad, Emirates and Qatar. I was expecting that the standards would be a little lower than the other airlines but was delighted to discover that it was very high indeed.

The only inconvenience was that the trip was longer than a direct flight from Abu Dhabi. But given the standard of the hospitality on the connecting flight and in the airport lounge that ended up being a welcome added experience rather than an inconvenience.

After a small delay at check-in — due to a new Oman Air policy about checking the booking against the passenger’s credit card, which was not fully understood by the Eithad check-in staff — I was on my way to the business lounge at Abu Dhabi airport. It’s doesn’t have the bells, whistles and barber shop of the Eithad Premium Lounge, but it is very comfortable and far superior to waiting at the gate.

The connecting flight to Muscat on an Embraer E-175 took about 45 minutes, and the crew were polite and helpful. Then it was a brisk walk to the Oman Air Lounge at Muscat, which is comfortably furnished and well equipped to handle a thirsty traveller’s needs. There was a big food selection too, but I was saving myself for the onboard menu.

A bus took the premium passengers directly from the lounge to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Muscat’s new terminal is still under construction, so there is no airbridge access to aircraft).

I like the Dreamliner, and much of what I saw was familiar from my previous business-classs flights on Etihad (which, by the way, offers Guest points for flights on Oman Air through a partnership agreement).

There’s a comfortable, lay flat bed with all the comforts and connectivity I need. The large TV screen is operated from an easy-to-operate remote, and the programming choice is eclectic.

Over my two flights, I watched a documentary on Mary Tyler Moore, and episode of The Actors’ Studio featuring Steve Carrell and an very politically incorrect episode of the 1970s British sitcom On The Buses.

The service was second to none that I’ve experienced — professional and personal without being cloying — and the food selection embraced Middle East, Asian and Western styles. Champagne and a chardonnay from France lubricated the journey, and I got a few hours sleep on what was a flight of just over five hours.

The return journey was just as smooth, with the bonus of a stopover in the Oman Lounge at Bangkok airport as well as in Muscat, and a delightful jump back to Abu Dhabi that included a personal farewell from the captain.

Would I fly Oman Air again? Absolutely. The price point is great without any sacrifice of the things that make business-class travel the treat that it ought to be.

Bookings: OmanAir.com