- Introduction: Around The World (And Then Some) In 5 Days
- Review: United Polaris Lounge Newark Airport
- Review: Austrian Business Class 767 Newark To Vienna
- Review: Moxy Vienna Airport
- Review: Austrian Business Lounge Vienna Airport
- Review: EgyptAir Business Class 737 Vienna To Cairo
- Review: Oman Air Business Class A330 Cairo To Muscat
- Review: Oman Air First Class Lounge Muscat Airport
- Review: Oman Air Business Class Lounge Muscat Airport
- Review: Oman Air First Class Service By Design
- Review: Oman Air First Class 787 Muscat To London
- Review: Air Belgium Lounge Charleroi Airport
- Review: Air Belgium Business Class A340 Charleroi To Hong Kong
- Review: SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Airport
- Review: Korean Air First Class A330 Hong Kong To Incheon
- Review: Korean Air First Class Lounge Incheon Airport
- Review: Korean Air First Class 787 Incheon To San Francisco
I don’t want to be too much of a diva, but my six hour layover in Cairo was not fun. It was probably my worst layover ever. So by the time I was boarding my Oman Air flight I was hungry, thirsty, and tired, and couldn’t wait to be onboard. If you want to read about the layover just check out this post, but we’ll pick up onboard with this post.
Oman Air 408
Cairo (CAI) – Muscat (MCT)
Sunday, July 1
Depart: 1:10AM
Arrive: 7:15AM
Duration: 4hr5min
Aircraft: Airbus A330-200
Seat: 15A (Business Class)
I really lucked out that I got on a flight out of Cairo operated by an A330. Oman Air primarily flies 737s between Cairo and Muscat, but they do fly the occasional A330, and I managed to get on one of those flights. Oman Air has two excellent business class configurations on their A330s — their old business class is in a 1-2-1 configuration, while their new business class features Apex Suites. This flight was on an aircraft with the latter configuration.
Oman Air has a total of 30 business class seats on these A330s, spread across five rows in a 2-2-2 configuration. The forward cabin has three rows, though I was in the rear cabin, where there are just two rows. I was in seat 15A, the window seat in the last row on the left side.
Oman Air A330 business class cabin
Oman Air A330 business class cabin
Oman Air business class cabin A330
After Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, Apex Suites are my favorite business class seats in the world, and in particular I love Oman Air’s finishes. If you find yourself on a plane with this configuration, you most definitely want a “true” window seat. However, I’d generally avoid row 15, since there’s a missing window (I had originally assigned myself a different seat, but the seat was broken, and this was the only remaining window seat).
Oman Air business class seats A330
These window seats feature direct aisle access, and there’s a small entryway from the aisle through which you enter.
Oman Air business class seat entrance A330
What makes these seats so incredible is how much privacy they offer. They are just so darn private, thanks to the shield that can be raised between seats (though it does have to be down for takeoff and landing).
Oman Air business class seat A330
The seat isn’t actually that wide, though the great thing is how much space there is for your feet. In the window seats you could easily fit a full size carry-on underneath the ottoman with room to spare, and in general you just have such a large private space.
Oman Air business class seat A330
Oman Air business class seat ottoman
The tray table folded out from the armrest to the right of the seat, and was a single table.
Oman Air business class seat tray table
The easy-to-use seat controls were on the left side of the seat.
Oman Air business class seat controls
Then to the right of the seat were the entertainment controls as well as some other basic seat controls.
Oman Air business class entertainment controls
Underneath the seat and to the right were two exposed storage compartments. Other than that the seat doesn’t have that much storage, though the good thing is that you can just leave your bag underneath the ottoman and have easy access to things that way.
Oman Air business class seat storage
Also to the side of the seat were the headphone jack, USB outlet, and 110v outlet.
Oman Air business class outlets
My one and only disappointment with the seat is that Oman Air doesn’t have individual air nozzles.
Oman Air business class overhead console
Waiting at my seat were a modest pillow and blanket, which didn’t really match the otherwise excellent product. However, given that this was just a very short redeye usually operated by a 737, I was grateful to have a flat bed. Also, since the cabin was less than half full, I was able to grab a couple of extra pillows and really get comfortable.
Oman Air business class pillow & blanket
Oman Air is one of my favorite “boutique” airlines in the world, and the service from the moment I boarded reminded me of why (in addition to their excellent hard product). I had two fabulous Filipino flight attendants taking care of me, who couldn’t have been kinder.
“Good evening Mr. Ben, welcome aboard. May I offer you a warm or cold towel?” I started with a cold towel.
Oman Air business class warm towel
I was then asked if I wanted orange juice, water, lemon mint juice, or champagne to drink. I ordered a glass of champagne, which was poured at my seat. It’s not often you see that for a pre-departure beverage.
In this case they were serving Nicolas Feuillatte 2010, which is a ridiculously good champagne for business class.
Oman Air business class champagne
I was quite thirsty at this point, so also ordered a lemon mint juice.
Oman Air business class pre-departure drinks
A few minutes later the flight attendant offered me a bottle of water and a comfort pouch.
Oman Air business class water & amenity kit
The comfort pouch was smaller than their standard amenity kit, but perfectly sufficient for such a short flight, with socks, eyeshades, a comb, and earplugs.
Oman Air business class amenity kit contents
About 10 minutes later the crew passed through the cabin with Arabic coffee and dates.
Oman Air business class Arabic coffee & dates
We had quite a delay on our departure, and during that time I was offered a couple of refills on my champagne. I was even asked if I wanted some nuts to go along with it, though I passed.
Towards the end of boarding I was brought a pair of headphones, but the flight attendant apologized profusely that they had only loaded economy headphones.
Oman Air business class headphones
While we were supposed to depart at 1:10AM, we just kept waiting and waiting and waiting. At 1:55AM the captain made a welcome aboard announcement. He apologized for the delay, and explained that this was due to issues with the check-in facility, and passengers still getting through security (this is an issue I saw firsthand).
He also informed us of our flight time of 3hr45min and our cruising altitude of 41,000 feet. One thing I find interesting about Oman Air is that most of their pilots are “local,” while at most of the other Gulf carriers they primarily hire ex-pats.
I sort of just loving sitting on an Oman Air flight waiting for boarding to finish, though, since I love Oman Air’s boarding music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W9JISUn940
Finally at 2:10AM it was announced that boarding was complete, with 13 of the 30 business class seats taken. At 2:15AM we began our pushback. At this point I was super tired.
During our pushback and taxi the safety video was screened, and by 2:35AM we were cleared for takeoff on runway 5L. The seatbelt sign was turned off just five minutes after takeoff.
As we climbed out I turned on the airshow, which showed our route across the peninsula.
Airshow to Muscat
Given what a short flight this was, and that I wanted to sleep, I appreciated how quickly after takeoff the meal service began. Just 15 minutes after takeoff I was asked what I wanted to eat, with the choice between lamb biryani, fish, and cheese tortellini. I was also asked if I wanted still or sparkling water, and if I wanted tea or coffee with dessert, so that they could prepare everything as quickly as possible.
Just five minutes later I was brought a meal tray with the appetizer, salad, and dessert.
Oman Air business class snack
Oman Air business class snack
Oman Air business class snack
Oman Air business class bread
Within a couple of minutes of finishing the appetizer I was served the main course, which was a surprisingly excellent pasta dish.
Oman Air business class main course
I also enjoyed the banoffee pie for dessert.
Oman Air business class dessert
The meal service was done just 45 minutes after takeoff, which I thought was really efficient. The service couldn’t have been friendlier or more polished, in spite of the ladies taking care of me working really hard, and having quite a long night. They had just flown in from Muscat, so working a roundtrip including a redeye on the return seems like a very not glamorous trip to have to work.
I told them that I just wanted to sleep, but asked if I could please have a cappuccino before landing. Before going to sleep I checked out the lavatory, which was between business class cabins, and was pretty basic.
Oman Air business class lavatory
I was so tired at this point, and got a solid two hours of sleep, and woke up as we were just about to start our descent. While I only slept for two hours, it almost felt like a full night of sleep.
Airshow enroute to Muscat
“Mr. Ben, I hope you enjoyed your rest. Are you ready for your cappuccino?”
Oman Air business class cappuccino
Ah, there’s nothing quite like watching the morning from above the clouds while sipping a cappuccino!
View approaching Muscat
Around this time the captain announced that we’d be landing at around 8:15AM, and a few minutes later the cabin lights were turned on and cabin was prepared for landing. During this time the two flight attendants taking care of me as well as the cabin manager came by to thank me for flying with Oman Air.
We had some beautiful views on our approach.
View approaching Muscat
View approaching Muscat
Landing in Muscat
We touched down in Muscat at 8:15AM on runway 26R.
Taxiing Muscat Airport
From there we had a roughly 10 minute taxi to our arrival gate. While I had flown to Muscat Airport many times before, this was my first time visiting since the new terminal opened, and I was thrilled to finally have a gate, for once (the old terminal didn’t have any gates).
Taxiing Muscat Airport
Arrival gate Muscat Airport
I bid farewell to the crew after a surprisingly restful short redeye, and couldn’t wait to explore the new airport and fly Oman Air’s brand new 787-9 first class.
Oman Air A330 business class bottom line
Oman Air is probably my favorite “boutique” airline in the world, and one of my all around favorite airlines period. They have a phenomenal business class hard product, excellent service, and good food.
I also love how there’s something about Oman Air that actually feels like it reflects their home country — many of their pilots and cabin crew are local, and they have excellent Omani food (though I realize that wasn’t reflected in the menu on this flight).
Is hard to believe that for the same distance SIN-CAN that WY flew for five days in 2017 that depart at 22:00-, they offer a full amenity kit, full dinner(4 courses) with inflight chef and three scope ice cream as desert and then a "snack" before arrival, same 4 hr journey.
Cannot say I disliked Oman Air,but will not categorise it as one of the best,maybe a 7out of 10.Flew from Manchester to Muscat lounge very poor in M/C small selection of food.Muscat to Bangkok Lounge Excellent.Poor service on connecting flight with Attendants not paying too much attention to passengers at least in Biz class also space to rest drinking glasses on Boeing plane very small,Had no landing nor priority immigration passes available the flight.Reckon with...
Cannot say I disliked Oman Air,but will not categorise it as one of the best,maybe a 7out of 10.Flew from Manchester to Muscat lounge very poor in M/C small selection of food.Muscat to Bangkok Lounge Excellent.Poor service on connecting flight with Attendants not paying too much attention to passengers at least in Biz class also space to rest drinking glasses on Boeing plane very small,Had no landing nor priority immigration passes available the flight.Reckon with a bit of work they can achieve greater things
Exactly on which routes are the Oman air Apex suites featured?
I love that boarding music too! Epitomises flying all over the world and the romance of aviation travel- bringing loved ones together and opening up new adventures. Thanks for posting the link- I had no idea!
Hey Ben, glad you like the Oman Air boarding music as well. It's available on iTunes eh, N^o025 by relaxdaily. In case you're curious.
Lucky, It's really not good to drink alcohol on a flight, It will often give people bad headaches, which is why I don't.
What an irritating choice of boarding music ... as if we haven't all heard enough of the Celine Dion / "My Heart Will Go On" / Titantic theme music without having Oman Air using their own tinny rip off version to serenade us on board.
The cabin is very aesthetically pleasing. I really like the brown and tan color scheme, as well as all the different fabric textures and paneling surrounding the seat.
Ben: Desperately tired and wants to sleep
Also Ben: Proceeds to eat a three-course meal, including a carb-heavy cheese pasta, all within 45min
Lols
@Lumma - The aisle seats can take bigger passengers as well as people with physical disabilities. I would think it's unlikely that the entire cabin would be taken by bigger passengers (unless traveling from a country known to have them). In that case I'm sure the airline would take that into consideration (or people could just fly another airline).
Is it just me or is there a slight issue with the window seats with the Apex Suites? The gap you've got to get through to get into the seat isn't that large. I could see this being an issue if an airline from a country known for having larger people decided to fit them. I'm far from being a "person of size" but I seem to recall the gap to get out of the true window seats on Iberia not being that large and these seem smaller
Ben. Loved reading this , keep the reviews coming
That’s not your standard Nicolas Feuillatte. That’s a vintage champagne!
@ Matt -- Whoops, totally missed that. Thanks for the heads up, post corrected.
Have you done a top ten of boarding music? I think that would be a fun blog post!
Amazing review. As a point if comparison, do you have any Oman Air 737 reviews?
Another great review.
Kudos lucky for doing such wonderful job.
We just cannot get enough of these, keep em coming.
@ AndresBz -- Thanks for the kind words, makes it all the more fun to write these!
Was hoping to see Madrouba or lugaimat and wash it down with Karak? How did you ascertained the Biryani wasn't an Omani variety?
@ JoeMart -- The biryani probably was, but my point is that on longer flights Oman Air has a "taste of Oman" menu, where the starter and main course are both Omani. For example, see this Muscat to Bangkok flight:
https://onemileatatime.com/review-oman-air-business-class-a330/
I guess it's understandable that they only offer this on longer flights, and not short redeyes.
Champagne? I remember someone telling me Oman Air had censored movies and no alcohol on board.
Do they have "only" Champagne or more? (wine, cocktails etc.)
@ Nico.biz -- They have a full bar. Kuwait and Saudia are dry, so maybe you're thinking of one of them?
"After Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, Apex Suites are my favorite business class seats in the world"
Just curious, how high do you rank the non-window seats?
@ Julia -- Not very high, I'd say I'd take a reverse herringbone seat over the non-window seat, and maybe even a couple of other seat types.
@Paolo
Oman air does partner was Etihad, as well as plenty of others.
I would fly them to listen to that boarding music
Isn’t it a bit odd that they haven’t negotiated some agreements so that their passengers can earn points with other airline programs? Or are they trying to push the ‘stand alone’ boutique experience? I’d happily fly them more often if only the miles would count somewhere.
@ Paolo -- They do partner with Etihad (which in some ways is an odd partnership in itself), but yeah, I'm surprised they haven't worked more closely with another airline. You'd think there would be some potential there.