The crew onboard was fantastic. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. On the right-hand side, below the IFE controller, there are 3 additional controls — to raise or lower the privacy divider, switch on/off the overhead reading light, and the Do Not Disturb light on the outside of the suite shell. This meant we all just begrudgingly trudged along and I missed my opportunity to click some clean cabin shots. Hence, you need to call in and keep your fingers crossed that award space might be available on the day you intend to travel. The bar houses a decent collection of liquor. Though the monitor is a touchscreen and a standard-sized 17-inches as offered in most business classes, due to the distance between the seat and the monitor, the screen appears small and using the touch screen on the monitor becomes a moot point. …but Oman Air had provided access to the PrimeClass Lounge upstairs in the terminal instead. Smaller items can be stored in the space provided between the IFE screen and the ottoman. After finally making it through the chaotic boarding process, I turned left towards the forward business class cabin and made my way to my assigned seat 12A. I had … … First Class. Nonetheless, the bed is long and wide and not at all claustrophobic, in my opinion. The airline currently has 9 Boeing 787 series aircraft in its fleet, 2 of which are of the 787-8 variant and the remaining 7 are the 787-9 variant. There’s storage for the fairly large amenity kit, too: Behind the seat is a hook for the (rather good) airline-supplied headphones. I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. They did seem a little overwhelmed and understandably so since the cabin was full and everybody wanted to eat at the same time. Email needed if you'd like comment updates. Positioned as a boutique carrier based in the Middle East, Oman Air continues to push the envelope when it comes to the passenger experience. However, with the growing demand for privacy and lie-flat beds among business travelers, it has evolved into a business class product and is currently in use by Oman Air (WY), Gulf Air (GF), Japan Airlines (JL), and Korean Air (KE) on their Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleets and other select aircraft. Oman Air’s business class can be booked with points using the carrier’s frequent flyer program, Sindbad, and the Etihad Guest program. As you walk past the small intimate forward business … I flew Oman Air to see the beautiful business class cabin onboard the 787-9. The only minor drawback of the Apex Suite is the lack of storage space. Dinner, bed and breakfast are all included, and you never have to put your hand in your pocket once (just wait until you find out how little I paid Oman Air for this plane ticket in the first place!). The aircraft had a total seating capacity of 288 seats configured as follows: Business Class Apex Suites: 30 seats in a staggered 2-2-2 configuration … Read another of our writer’s reviews of an Oman Air Boeing 787-9 flight from Muscat (MCT) to Bangkok (BKK). Once unpacked, the headphones can be placed on a hook provided on the divider panel just below the reading light. It’s relatively new, having opened in 2016, and would happily fit in anywhere in the world; it’s a genuinely nice building with plenty of good places to eat and lots of glass! A one-way business class ticket from Muscat to Bangkok will set you back just 34,000 Etihad Guest miles, which I redeemed from the 50,000 Etihad Guest miles I earned as a sign-up bonus on my ADCB Etihad Guest Above Infinite Card. Oman Air does not offer complimentary Wi-Fi to Business Class passengers and the paid options are pricey. They offer the best privacy and a view out of 3 windows, except for row 12, where a window is missing. This review follows on from a flight from Frankfurt to Muscat on Oman Air’s Airbus A330in the older business class configuration. One hour before landing, a small refreshment tray was served with drinks. A delightful pumpkin and lentil soup was served, and this was probably the best soup I’ve had on a plane. American Express Travel Insurance Coverage Review – Is It Worth It? This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. My kind of airport: medium-sized, not busy, relaxed and with good facilities. After a quick Arabic coffee, and a juice, the first of many hot towels was served before pushback. Life’s hard. The aircraft had a total seating capacity of 288 seats configured as follows: Business Class Apex Suites: 30 seats in a staggered 2-2-2 configuration with 24 seats in the forward cabin and the 6 seats in the mini business class cabin behind the forward galley. The handset can also display a dynamic map while you watch something on the main screen. reviews of an Oman Air Boeing 787-9 flight from Muscat (MCT) to Bangkok (BKK). I had a great two-hour nap. So, how does the layover service work? He later explained to me that they had not loaded any extra meals and profusely apologized. It’s not Dubai or Doha, and in my view, that’s a good thing. The seat reclines into a bed, which reveals one of the minor weaknesses of this seat: it’s too easy to accidentally activate the seat controls while sleeping if you roll onto them. All images credited to Cherag Dubash unless otherwise noted. The table in these Apex Suites is reasonably good, by the way, and swivels to allow you to exit – although the gap it leaves is fairly small and you need to be fairly mobile to move past it easily! On arriving at the terminal, I proceeded to Oman Air’s dedicated first and business class check-in area for premium passengers. Unfortunately, the fish was chewy, lacked taste, and seemed like it wasn’t heated properly. Since I had been up since early morning, I decided to eat right away and get a nap in. In this post, I’ll be finishing my series of travels from late 2019 to “Australia and beyond”, with my journey home to London being provided by Oman Air, from Jakarta. The mini-cabin gives fabulous views of the engine! Oman Air provides Amouage amenity kits in business class that include an Amouage-branded hand and body lotion, moisturizer, lip balm, dental kit, shaving kit, mouth wash, eye shades, earplugs, socks, and comb. While this was my first time on A40-SF, I’d actually flown Oman Air’s 787-9 before, back in 2017 on a two-cabin configuration (with business and economy class). A330-300 Oman Air. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments. You can also check-in, access mobile boarding passes and more, all in the palm of your hand. Oman Air expects to receive the third 787-9 Dreamliner in December this year. The food selection was decent with a variety of cold and hot dishes, salads, desserts and fresh fruits on offer. Oman Air Business Class on a Boeing 787-9 Oman Air has two Boeing 787-9 aircraft which are dedicated to the Heathrow route. The amenity kit is by Omani luxury perfume house, Amouage. This version has the exact … This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. There is a large tray table that is housed under the right-hand armrest and it turns 90 degrees, enabling you to leave your seat without any inconvenience. The main cabin ahead of the doors is still fantastic, though. I found the WiFi to be reasonably good, although the pricing was a little high for me. Both Business Class … I was in transit, connecting between two flights less than 24 hours apart, and business class customers only could request an off-airport hotel at no extra cost. The cabin was beautiful with a simple finish, and with no overhead bins above the middle rows, it had an open and airy feel. Based in Abu Dhabi, the London City University graduate is regularly seen on Instagram, travelling over 100K miles each year in First and Business Class while holding down a regular job. We pushed back from the gate promptly at 9:20 a.m. and took off without any further delays. With a pitch of 80 inches and a width of 22.8 inches, the seats are ergonomically designed, well-padded, comfortable, and convert into a 180-degree lie-flat bed. Be in the know. The first set has 4 pre-set positions for takeoff and landing, recline, dining, and flatbed. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been provided by the credit card companies mentioned. Hot Tip: Even though Etihad’s award chart displays Oman Air first class redemption, it’s not possible to redeem these seats. On the left-hand side of the reception area is a portrait of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, the ruler of Oman along with a model of an Oman Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Two 787-9s took me home, via Muscat and an overnight transit hotel was included in the cost of the ticket. By 8:45 a.m., boarding was complete, and I noticed that every seat in business class was taken. Featured Image Credit: Cherag was born in a family associated with aviation and was hooked on to planes since the age of 3, the time he undertook his first flight on an Airbus A310 from Mumbai to Dubai. Bags checked in and with my boarding card in hand, I headed to the far end of the premium check-in area which leads to a priority immigration and security section. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. The new terminal is a huge step up from its predecessor with 86 check-in counters, 45 gates, upgraded duty-free shops, and a brand new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. On the right-hand side of the seat, there are small storage pouches where the headphones and water bottle are stored. The reception area is impressive with the gold design and decor accentuating the culture and terrain of Oman. There were only a plush pillow and thick blanket on offer which was decent to sneak under. First Class (8), Business Class (30) and Economy Class (204). If you are connecting and have a long transit, you can relax in one of the day rooms with curtains for privacy or in one of the 4 fully private nap rooms. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, should you be interested, below is the tariff: After boarding, the purser came and introduced herself and offered a selection of pre-takeoff beverages — a glass of either Champagne, orange juice, or water. It is arranged in a 2-2 … The IFE selection of movies and TV shows, though not extensive, is decent and can be viewed on the 17-inch touch screen HD monitor. Being based in Abu Dhabi, I called Etihad Guest’s Abu Dhabi call center, and after a few minutes, the agent on the line was able to confirm that award space was available on the date I had planned to travel, and proceeded to book and confirm the ticket. Oman Air uses the APEX Suites business class seat, widely regarded as one of the industry’s best and most spacious, and used by carriers like JAL and Korean Air. Flight WY 815 was operated by a 2-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered A40-SD, which was the second 787-9 delivered to the carrier in April 2017. Service closed with a small, flavourful chocolate ice cream served with mint and strawberries. Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, continues its expansion plans in 2017 with three new additions to the fleet already this year. A spokesman for Oman Air tells Australian Business Traveller that the airline expects to be flying four of the new Boeing 787-9s by year's end, with the jets dedicated to popular routes into Europe.. Oman Air's current Boeing 787-9 fleet tops out at business class… Hot Tip: Want more? The Oman Air complimentary 15-min massage offered to passengers was something I had … I chose sea bass and rice for my main course, which was perfectly done. © 2021 Upgraded Points™, LLC. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. I had no work to do on this flight, so I relaxed, enjoyed the awesome food service and drank wine. That burger slider looks sorry for itself, but I’m happy to report it tasted just fine. Unfortunately, there is no provision to search and book Oman Air award space online through Etihad’s website. Asiana Airlines formerly served in their first class, Delta One Suites Airbus A350-900 Review [Shanghai to Los Angeles], 10 Ways to Use British Airways Avios Without Huge Fuel Surcharges, Oman Air Boeing 787 Business Class Review [MCT to BKK], Oman Air Airbus A330 Business Class Review [FRA to MCT], Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step], Best Ways to Book EVA Air Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step]. Oman Air’s bedding was of superb quality, coming with a blanket, duvet and mattress topper. The inclusion of the seamless layover benefit is a big selling point with this airline. The premium check-in area has 12 counters and a seating area to the side which is similar to but not as opulent as Qatar Airways’ first and business class check-in area at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. In total there are 3 standard-sized lavatories for business class passengers — 2 lavatories on either side at the forward end of the main business class cabin and 1 between the main business class cabin and the mini business class cabin. For more information on our advertisers, see here. This fantastic product was originally designed by B/E Aerospace as a high-density first class product. Oman Air has a separate check-in wing for first and business class: Just my luck, I was travelling on the last day the Oman Air lounge was closed…. Each of the 8 First Class … I arrived at the airport a bit early, around 5:00 a.m., 4 hours before scheduled departure, as I was looking forward to exploring the new state of the art terminal at Muscat International Airport (MCT) which opened May 20, 2018. Some models of the plane have 30 seats spread over two business … Fish can be risky on an aircraft as it can turn out quite dry, but this was excellent. Essentially, you deplane, head to the Oman Air representative at the transit desk, who will take your particulars and liaise with the border police to grant you a 24-hour transit visa (there is no charge for this and the visa is always done on arrival). Oman Air's Boeing 787-9 operates on domestic routes and international routes to Europe. After a few minutes, Khaled returned informing me that they had run out of both of the other main options — the duck and the roasted artichoke, mushroom, and pimiento lasagna. The airline says that the suites in the newly delivered Dreamliner's First Class … So – Muscat Airport. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the Oman Air business class lounge. Seat Information Oman Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Seat Map and Seating Chart Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Oman Air. When I arrived at the gate, it looked more like a melee than a boarding process. We had 6 hours to burn. Oman Air ticked quite a few boxes for me. Economy Class: 259 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration spread across the remainder of the 2 cabins. The … Oman Air offer a superb business class product that almost equals the first class offered by other airlines. Oman Air operates a thrice daily frequency on their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from their Muscat hub to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Since this was a day flight, no pajamas or bedding was offered. 40 US dollars for five hours of connectivity is more than I’m used to paying with most European and American carriers. As compensation for my disappointing main dish and the inability to replace it, the crew brought me a full bottle of Laurent Perrier to drown my sorrows in, which went some way towards redemption and service recovery! Unfortunately, I had the unfortunate privilege of sitting in 12A. As I mentioned, Oman Air partners with Etihad, and you can use Etihad Guest miles to book flights operated by Oman. There are three toilets in the Business Class cabin on Oman Air’s Boeing 787-9, meaning an excellent passenger to toilet ratio of 10:1 (Singapore Airlines has a 14:1 ratio in Business Class on … The pilot then announced that there will be a 20-minute delay, due to congestion over the busy air corridors of Oman, which only meant 1 thing — round 2 of the bubbly. Oman Air certainly scores above its erstwhile cousins on this one. As you venture further in, you come across the main bar which is located near the First Class Lounge entrance. Once past the lattice gold entrance doors, I was greeted at the reception area by the ground staff, who, after verifying my boarding pass, directed me to the Business Class section. Here we will look mainly at the food and IFE. The First and Business Class Lounge is spread over 2 stories and divided into multiple zones with 2 expansive dining areas, private family rooms, a business center, prayer room, children’s playroom, showers, and a spa and wellness center (which was not open to guests during my visit). If you'd like to add a comment to this article and share your valuable feedback and opinions, please click here to leave your comment. In addition, there is a single row in a mini cabin located behind the galley before the Economy Class cabin starts. A small passageway leads you from the reception to the main lounge area. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This is Part 2 of our Oman Air business class review, flying from Muscat to London on a Boeing 787-9. By the time I completed a full tour of the lounge it was 7:30 a.m. I watched a few TV shows and one of Oman Air’s Bollywood films. Part 1 of our Oman Air business class review can be found here, which focuses mainly on the cabin and seat layout. We take your comments very seriously as they really help us to improve the site. We use ads to keep our content free. …we were airborne on time for our seven-hour jaunt back to London. The check-in area was relatively quiet, bar a handful of passengers. This aircraft operates in a two class configuration with 30 seats in Business Class and 204 seats in Economy Class. These are the only two long-haul aircraft with First Class. Oman Air … In the morning, you’ll be collected by car, and driven to the airport to check-in. The offerings inside weren’t great, and so I headed out to watch the planes after a few minutes. On the 787-9 the forward business class cabin has 24 seats, while the rear cabin has 20 … For example, the food being individually served and not on a tray. There was no separate line for premium passengers, more like a first-come, first-served basis, and surprisingly boarding was only via 1 jet bridge through the L2 door. The entrance doors, ornately decorated with gold latticework, give you the feeling of stepping into a royal palace. Not wanting to take a risk, I requested Khaled to replace the fish with the duck. Oman Air Business Class which became one of our favourite ones! Overall, an outstanding trip, and all the more so considering I paid only £698 one way for this trip; a truly incredible fare I got in a flash sale. The nap rooms can be booked on the spot at the reception, subject to availability. This is an outstanding third party lounge, tastefully appointed and with everything you’d want to find in a lounge, and more. Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman and the perennial underdog to the ME3 (Emirates (EK), Etihad (EY), and Qatar Airways (QR), operates a mix of narrow and wide-body Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft out of its hub in Muscat. Unfortunately, the Plaza Premium Lounge was closed, and with the Saphire Lounge also being a Priority Pass/pay on entry lounge, they rather let greed get the better of them and admitted far too many people. It’s not surprising the airline has a good Bollywood selection; the airline has 11 Indian destinations (over a fifth of its route network), and until recently there was a travel bubble between Oman and India. My favourite on day flights is to leave them on a middle setting for a beautiful blue vista out of the window. Airline: Oman Air (WY) Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 (A4O-SD) Flight #: WY 815 Route: Muscat International Airport (MCT) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Date: June 22, 2019 Duration: 6hrs 5min Cabin and Layout: Business Class, 30 Apex Suites in a 2-2-2 configuration Seat: 12A Miles Used: 34,000 Etihad Guest miles + AED 580 (~$158) per person one-way including taxes and fees Fare Paid: N/A Typical Retail Fare: AED 4,907.50 (~$1,336) per person one-way including taxes and fees. However, they carried out service delivery in an impeccable manner. Even with a 2-2-2 configuration, the cabin is quite spacious and the all-forward-facing staggered configuration offers some of the best privacy in the absence of a privacy door with direct aisle access for every passenger. This is row 15 and is where I am sitting today. It really is a superb seat in this respect. I decided to have a light breakfast and then head to the gate at 8:00 a.m., an hour before the scheduled departure. Out of the 2, booking with Etihad Guest miles is a convenient option, considering points can be easily transferred from various credit cards and hotel partners such as American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou, and Marriott Bonvoy. Australian Business Traveller joined the very first flight of the Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, fresh from the Boeing factory at Seattle all the way to Sydney, to bring you this first review of Qantas' flagship business class … Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. So, the seat in detail: There’s a generous fixed ottoman which provides storage underneath in flight for a handbag or rucksack. It will NOT be published. You can read how it was booked in that review. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. On the Boeing B 787-9 the main Business Class cabin is located between the L/R1 and L/R2 doors. The hard product is fantastic, the new terminal and lounge are world-class, the flight crew was excellent. Oman Air is a carrier I would go out of my way to experience again; the airline provided me with superb hospitality, and the Apex Suite is my favourite business class seat, apart from Qatar’s QSuite. The flight was on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which Oman Air operates with two different business class configurations. Disclaimer: Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. Though there was no mattress provided, the bed was firm and comfortable. Back in January, an excellent opportunity presented itself: O man Air … I really like the colours in the Oman Air … After the meal, I decided to get some shut-eye and got in a solid 2 hours. This was a pleasant surprise, as this service is only offered in first class by both Emirates and Etihad. Two of Oman Air’s seven -9 aircraft contain first class, but these aircraft fly on the London route only (as a … Unbranded noise-canceling headphones of decent quality are provided, which do the job. How to Book Cheap Car Rentals in Los Angeles [Price Comparisons], How to Use the New American Express Statement Credits [2021], Full List of Airport Lounges at Orlando International Airport [MCO]. Oman Air's new 787-9 is fitted with 8 First Class suites, as well as 24 seats in Business and 232 in Economy. Opposite the seat is an ottoman which provides additional leg support when the seat is in bed mode. However, there is a wired IFE remote housed in the right armrest which can be used to browse through the entertainment options. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Oman Air uses the gorgeous Apex Suite as their business class seat. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. Business Class: 28 Seats. Trip Reporter - Paul is one of the world’s most popular and most loved trip reporters on YouTube. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.