I was excited to check out the new terminal at Muscat Airport, which opened in March. Fortunately I had plenty of time to do so, since I arrived shortly after 8AM, and my flight to London was only departing after 2PM. I've reviewed Oman Air's Lounge in the previous terminal. While the lounge itself was…
Continue reading: Review: Oman Air First Class Lounge Muscat Airport
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Beautiful photos...love the Omani decor. Any guesses as to the fate of the first class lounge once Oman Air is down to two planes with F?
@Lucky: I'm surprised you didn't pass by the Primeclass Lounge. I visited Oman a few months ago and really, really enjoyed the lounge. It's probably my second favorite Priority Pass lounge, perhaps after the GVK Lounge in Mumbai (which isn't technically a Priority Pass lounge but can be accessed with a Priority Pass membership if you talk your way into it)...
First class specialist here (paid tickets only). This review is very good and makes me want to give Oman Air first class a try.
The is the most beautiful moving walkways I have ever seen... just had to let everyone know.
Is this really a relevant airline? Limited low yield leisure routes, no global alliance or a tie up, FF program that is not really enticing or scalable. I get it that they are bending over backwards to garner positive blogger reviews ( marketing tie up etc) but for them to be a player they will need to expand like mad, add relevant partners and expand their FF reach. Also why do you have to walk miles at Doha Hamad? Excellent moving walkways and the train as well. Let’s be fair - Hamad is a class apart just like QR.
Sam,
Can you give more details about this:
"after the GVK Lounge in Mumbai (which isn’t technically a Priority Pass lounge but can be accessed with a Priority Pass membership if you talk your way into it)…"
@ Deepak -- I try not to just review the biggest airlines in the world, but also some more "random" ones. I actually think Oman Air is an incredibly useful airline for those traveling between Europe and Asia. They have an excellent business class product and exceptional business class fares. First class is probably a bit less useful generally.
But "bending over backwards to garner positive blogger reviews?" Huh? I paid for all of my own tickets on Oman Air and have no financial relationship with them.
@ Gio -- I'm not sure exactly when the last A330 will be reconfigured, though I imagine it will happen fairly soon.
I like the airport decor - the touches, layout and use of colours remind me very much of IGI Delhi.
Not one fare that I checked from Europe to Asia has oman business fares as competitive. I am sure one can find a meddle ina haystack. At any rate, does not seem like a useful carrier for most - certainly not for anyone in North America. I just think unnecessary hype around Airlines or hotels that not many would find useful, raises questions , that’s all. Most would not consider even the likes of QR mainstream airlines - ask any AMEX corporate travel agent.
Having said all that, many of your reviews are cool and useful so please dont take this the wrong way.
@ Deepak -- Not sure what fares you looked up, but the first fare I just checked was Paris to Bangkok for next month, which seems like a popular city pair. Oman Air is the cheapest, at ~$1,700 roundtrip. Same is true for London and Frankfurt to Bangkok, for example.
But I'm not sure why you're suggesting that this "raises questions?" Legally and ethically I'd disclose if I had a financial relationship with any of these airlines. I don't. I just like flying different airlines.
"Before I review the first class section of the lounge, let me note that it’s large, given how few flights Oman Air has that feature first class."
I think it's better to say "despite how few...", instead of "given".
Ben. Great review. However with its $800 a bottle liquor and a golden shower, I’m not sure what it takes to get in your top 10 lol
@Deepak as Lucky mentioned Oman air consistently has the cheapest fares between Europe and Asia (I've seen as low as 800€ rt).
Here's a surprising fact for you:
Not every reader is from the US
Ps it's ok if you're uninformed, but let people correct you and admit your errors 😉
Lucky, good review. I got in on the KUL- MUC cheap J fare almost 2 years ago, good experience all around, even with the old lounge. I can see Oman being useful for SEA to Europe if deals pop up.
I credited miles to Etihad Guest, and really had no use for them until I was able to redeem them for an ANA intra Japan trip that was pricing out near $400 so good value for me.
Lucky, please post deals on Oman when you find them.
@deepak might be one of the EK representatives for sure... Typical on Middle East to have to be the glitziest, the tallest and the 'goldenest' (sic)
So far autumn wish list:
'Fly WY F, enjoy Oman and Salalah beaches, delete QR, EK, EY...'
Really wanted to fly Oman Air via MNL-MCT-CMN but they don't have daily schedule out of MNL and my schedule is very tight.
I like that lounge and report, will put WY F to my list.
@Endre- When you fly on paid tickets only do you collect the miles from those flights and if, then how you spend them?
What a beautifully done lounge. And I really love that bathroom with the gold tiles in the shower.
It is really remarkable how they've dedicated such a large space and facility for comparatively little first class passengers.
Any guesses as to the fate of the first class lounge once Oman Air is down to two planes with F?
Enjoyable review.
In the 'Supper Menu', under 'Jumbo Prawns', they write "Smoked eggplant caviar" ?? What is it? They should have proofread their English menu, seeing it's used in their First Class lounge. They also write 'Chicken brest' and 'Assiette de Chef'.
I could add a First Class lounge without Jack Daniel's is not truly First Class, but that is HIGHLY subjective. 🙂
Again, thank you for the review.
@ben holtz - please don’t make moronic statements. Low yield Paris - BKk does not make for a business case - try LHr - SIN or LHr HKg and see if Oman can make that work at fantastic fares. I bet they can’t. How long can this 1:1 fawning last with 2 aircraft with First and the business class playing between low yield leisure travelers looking for bargain basement fares and eat their way through the entire menu in the lounge? Get real. Oh , and yes not every business travelled lives in NA, but for Airlines to make money they need the business form NA business travelers. Just facts
@ben holtz – please don’t make moronic statements. Low yield Paris – BKk does not make for a business case – try LHr – SIN or LHr HKg and see if Oman can make that work at fantastic fares. I bet they can’t. How long can this 1:1 fawning last with 2 aircraft with First and the business class playing between low yield leisure travelers looking for bargain basement fares and eat their way through the entire menu in the lounge? Get real. Oh , and yes not every business travelled lives in NA, but for Airlines to make money they need the business form NA business travelers. Just facts
Great review. However, the food selection seems a little mehhh to me. Food wise, it is similar to Qatar Airways Al Safwa first class lounge, which in my opinion, serves lousy food due in part to the fact that the food is precooked in another building 🙁
That being said, the design of the lounge looks great.
Lucky- are you already planning a trip to coincide with the opening date of the new IST airport in October or are going to give it some time for them to overcome inevitable teething issues? https://youtu.be/Ju6FJ8qRTtk
Having passed through the Muscat terminal recently I would say that it's one of the most beautiful in the world. Wow, what gorgeous architecture and tasteful decor!
@Lucky. I might try Oman F.
Who has access to the First lounge? Also those coming from Oman F connecting to Oman J?
@Deepak please unsubscribe from this blog. I cant imagine I will ever be in Oman, but I read Lucky’s blog specifically for posts like this......
@michael thanks for posting the video! I can't wait to see the new airport and new Turkish lounge! Going to Asia from the US in November and I may route through the new IST.
A new airport terminal is coming to Bahrain.
It will definitely be an improvement to the old terminal which is a relic.
I am going to miss the old terminal, but I think it is time.
I hope it is able to mirror the intimate feel of the Omani airport.