Good morning from Muscat, as I’ve reached the turnaround point of my review trip to Oman. I just flew Oman Air’s Boeing 787-9 business class on the very short 5hr40min overnight flight from Milan to Muscat.
While I’ll have a full trip report soon, in this post I wanted to share my initial impressions. It has been years since I’ve flown Oman Air business class on a non-regional route. I’ve long said that Oman Air is one of my favorite airline brands, and that Oman Air has one of the world’s best business class products.
So, has my opinion changed? No, not at all. Actually, Oman Air is even better than I remember, and my flight was beyond great. While Oman Air has a couple of quirks, this must be among the most incredible experiences you’ll find in business class on an overnight flight of this length. I can’t wait for Oman Air to join oneworld later this year!
As you read the below, contrast this to my SWISS A330 business class experience that I just shared my initial impressions of, and remember that my SWISS flight was two hours longer. Oman Air is just in a completely different league.
In this post:
Oman Air’s 787 business class Apex Suites are awesome
Oman Air’s Boeing 787s have Apex Suites, which are among my favorite business class seats in the world. If you haven’t yet flown in this product, you might not think much of it, based on the 2-2-2 layout.
However, the window seats in this configuration are tough to beat. There’s a shield that goes up between the aisle and window seat, so it’s probably the most private business class seat in the skies. Best of all, there’s no small footwell that you have to squeeze your feet into, but rather you have virtually unlimited space when in bed mode.
The reason these seats aren’t more popular with airlines is because they’re an inefficient use of space, as they give so much real estate to each passenger. This remains one of my favorite business class seats.
Another cool thing is that Oman Air’s 787-9s have a forward business class cabin with four rows, and then a rear cabin with just a single row of seats. That rear cabin almost makes you feel like you’re in first class, as you feel like there are just six seats (never mind that these are typically the last seats to fill up). The views from the seats are awesome as well.
Oman Air’s business class amenities are phenomenal
Oman Air’s business class amenities are among the best offered by any airline. For one, Oman Air offers top notch bedding, including a comfortable pillow, a cozy blanket, and even a mattress pad. The crew is also happy to perform turndown service for passengers.
On top of that, Oman Air partners with Amouage on its amenity kits, which feel super high-end. This includes a lip balm, a facial moisturizer, and even a cologne. Many of the basic amenities, like dental kits, are readily available in the lavatories.
Oman Air even offers pajamas and slippers in business class. Yes, even on an overnight flight that’s this short. I love the quality of the pajamas and slippers as well. This is a weird thing to point out, but the slippers are the heaviest I’ve been offered on any airline.
Oman Air’s business class food & drinks are delicious
Oman Air has a dine on demand concept in business class, with the option of enjoying two meals on the flight. The food quality and presentation almost felt more like what you’d typically find in first class rather than in business class.
Service began with drinks and mixed nuts. I ordered champagne, and Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut was on offer. Oman Air has a great service procedure, with all meals being served directly onto the tray table, wine being poured at the seat, etc.
To kick off the meal, I had a roasted pumpkin and yellow lentil soup, which was as tasty as it was pretty.
Then for the main course, I had the prawns machboos, which was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had in business class.
Next up was a cheese plate.
Last but not least was dessert, which consisted of a raspberry and white chocolate frangipane.
After a brief food coma, it was time for even more food. Breakfast consisted of a fruit plate, as well as a selection of bread, including a croissant, a danish, and a roll.
Of course a vast majority of people won’t have two meals on this flight since it greatly limits the ability to sleep, but I figured it was my job. 😉
Oman Air’s entertainment is good, Wi-Fi is laughable
While not to the level of Emirates’ ICE system, Oman Air’s ARIA entertainment is a huge improvement over what the airline used to offer, as there were hundreds of movies and TV shows.
Of course as an avgeek, my favorite inflight entertainment feature is always the airshow.
Okay, I’ve had nothing but praise for Oman Air up until now, so let me point out the worst part of the experience. Oman Air uses OnAir for its inflight entertainment, which is known for offering among the slower connectivity in the sky.
Not only that, but Oman Air’s Wi-Fi pricing is beyond absurd. Like, it’s not just a little high, it’s outrageous. A full flight Wi-Fi pass costs $39.90. Okay, that’s high, but I can live with that. But wait, that pass has a data limit of 150MB. That would last me about 30 minutes, at most.
Meanwhile the three hour Wi-Fi pass costs $24.90, and is limited to 40MB of data. Suggesting that 40MB is an acceptable amount of data for three hours of connectivity is even more laughable than the pricing.
Oman Air, you’ve gotta change this pricing, stat. This isn’t just about it detracting from the overall experience, but there’s no way Oman Air is maximizing revenue with this pricing. I’d like to think I’m one of the least price sensitive people when it comes to the cost of inflight Wi-Fi, since I exclusively work remotely and fly all the time. But this pricing gives even me pause, and I chose not to connect on this flight.
Bottom line
Oman Air is such a great little airline, with an amazing inflight product. While my good inflight experiences with the airline go back many years, I think Oman Air’s business class soft product is even better than before.
It’s clear that the airline puts a lot of effort into providing a great business class experience, and that’s refreshing to see, especially at a time where so many airlines go in the opposite direction. Now if only the airline put the same amount of effort into not swapping planes and downgrading people. 😉
What’s your take on Oman Air’s Boeing 787 business class?
Flew them last Christmas. No amenity kits, poor food choice, no mattress pads or pyjamas offered. Inattentive crew. Paid for Wi-Fi that didn’t work at all and had no response when trying to get a refund.
No thanks, I’ll stick with Emirates.
Does not appear to be as special as the article claims. Just seems like what you "should" be offered in business class.
We flew Oman air Paris to KL earlier in the week (4 March 2024) Oman has been our favourite airline for years for flying between Australia and Europe. however it has really gone off and full of annoying faults and visible cost cutting. We were VERY disappointed On the Paris to Muscat leg, the chicken consomme was inedible .. a thick paste of artificial chicken soup powder which was revolting The FA mixed up my...
We flew Oman air Paris to KL earlier in the week (4 March 2024) Oman has been our favourite airline for years for flying between Australia and Europe. however it has really gone off and full of annoying faults and visible cost cutting. We were VERY disappointed On the Paris to Muscat leg, the chicken consomme was inedible .. a thick paste of artificial chicken soup powder which was revolting The FA mixed up my dinner order (I ordered lamb) dumped a plate of chicken on my tray and then promptly disappeared - not to be seen for hours, no printed wine list anymore, I had to ask for an amenities kit. No pyjamas offered. On the second leg..muscat KL on 5th March, The forward cabin was occupied by a head honcho (someone very important in the company) from Oman Air and his noisy posse who talked VERY LOUDLY the whole trip. Which was rude, disturbing and annoying. No amenity bag offered, no toothbrushes in the lavatories, no coffee and dates offered. again no printed wine list..it is now hidden in an unreadable font on the handset, mediocre food. The good point was that the flight attendant on this leg was a very charming and attentive young man. What is going on? Prices have gone up and the cost cutting is showing badly. What a great shame
For me the wifi pricing makes totally sense. If you have a bad internet provider making the internet expensive and with low data caps helps offering usable internet for those that need it. Would the cap be higher or the prices be lower people would use it more wasteful (and more people would book it) reducing the overall speed until it is not usable anymore.
I think they are the only airline that offers both hot and cold towels. Lounges at Muscat are a bit grim.
OmanAir is good in economy class too.
Where OmanAir is relatively weak beside with internet up-time and pricing is with in-person check-in. They seem so concerned about transporting people with the wrong travel docs that they take longer on average for my travel parties than any other carrier on which I have flown six or more trips in the last six years.
I look forward to seeing what WY does with MCT lounge access for...
OmanAir is good in economy class too.
Where OmanAir is relatively weak beside with internet up-time and pricing is with in-person check-in. They seem so concerned about transporting people with the wrong travel docs that they take longer on average for my travel parties than any other carrier on which I have flown six or more trips in the last six years.
I look forward to seeing what WY does with MCT lounge access for its economy class Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald passengers once it’s part of Oneworld.
I so agree. I had a couple of flights with Oman Air on their 787 Dreamliner in 2023. I've even booked another trip to Europe with them again this year. I will be flying in the opposite direction of your flight. I, too, rate this as one of my favourite Business Class cabins, both in terms of hard and soft products. Out of Australia, in partnership with Thai Airways and Malaysian Air, their prices are...
I so agree. I had a couple of flights with Oman Air on their 787 Dreamliner in 2023. I've even booked another trip to Europe with them again this year. I will be flying in the opposite direction of your flight. I, too, rate this as one of my favourite Business Class cabins, both in terms of hard and soft products. Out of Australia, in partnership with Thai Airways and Malaysian Air, their prices are pretty exceptional, too. Under AU$7,500 (US$5,000) return Business Class to Europe.
Four of us traveled recently from Qatar to Kilimanjaro on Oman Air. We were thrilled with the excellent service, furnishings and everything Oman Air had to offer. The flight crew on the business class was brilliant. Frankly, they were best in class for customer service as we had never had such genuine hospitality, love and care extended to us on an airplane. Having flown several times on Qatar Air, we were thinking they were top...
Four of us traveled recently from Qatar to Kilimanjaro on Oman Air. We were thrilled with the excellent service, furnishings and everything Oman Air had to offer. The flight crew on the business class was brilliant. Frankly, they were best in class for customer service as we had never had such genuine hospitality, love and care extended to us on an airplane. Having flown several times on Qatar Air, we were thinking they were top of the class but frankly Oman Air outperformed them in every way.
Nice! I'm waiting for Oman Air myself to join oneworld to plan me a trip. Though you say "very short 5hr40min"? Things are relative. I know you're used to flying 10hr+ flights but not most people. So what would you call a 2hr flight, like ultra very short?
Waiting for trip report from my wife who is on same flight right now to meet me in Muscat.
Flew K.L. to Muscat then to Dubai return. Cannot fault the airline, service or staff. Only negative is at K.L. no dedicated business entry at gate. From K.L. to Sydney on Malaysian with absolutely nothing good to say about it.
You rave about the Q suites which I think are claustrophobic, and in this article you are negative about the foot tunnel (great that Oman Air does not have it) yet Qatar has just that with a table that is so badly positioned right under the TV.
I know you and many, many others are Avgeeks, but it always cracks me up when you describe the "awesome" views of the engine. Sure, it's cool to see, but for me - it blocks the views of what I really want to see. Just one of those Avgeek quirks I always laugh about. Making a list of them that you can think of would actually make for an interesting/fun blog post.
I love the "engine view" when it's a quadjet. Other than that, I prefer to see a nice scenery instead.
2-2-2 seating. No doors. No air vents. The horror . Oman Air truly be exceptional if they overcame Ben's pet peeves.
And bad/expensive wifi.
Okay, Ben, let’s do this. You’re going to put EVA Air and Oman Air side-by-side, include Starlux in the comparison, and come up with a list of best boutique airlines in the world. (Okay, EVA is not exactly boutique, but it’s more off the beaten track than SQ or ANA.)
And THAT will be the stiffest competition that any of your Qsuite flights will face in terms of service. Enough of QR being the world’s...
Okay, Ben, let’s do this. You’re going to put EVA Air and Oman Air side-by-side, include Starlux in the comparison, and come up with a list of best boutique airlines in the world. (Okay, EVA is not exactly boutique, but it’s more off the beaten track than SQ or ANA.)
And THAT will be the stiffest competition that any of your Qsuite flights will face in terms of service. Enough of QR being the world’s best airline in business class — now let the little brother Oman Air bask in the spotlight as it joins Oneworld!
So how did they deal w the downgrade?
That's what I wanted to know!
I think that’s a separate segment. That was heading back to the EU.
Looks lovely. I’m keen to try it.
The bulkhead on the BA 747 upstairs had a similar very cosy secluded feel and plenty of leg room. Ironically one of my fav business class seats.
I would like to try that one day. You're lucky to have such an experience. Why is that ironic?
@lucky You didn't not comment on Oman Air's inflight crew and ground services. I recently flew MCT-BKK in F on their 789. The attention to detail with the ground personnel was beyond excellent. They were there to please and no reasonable request was turned down. The inflight crew was just as good if not better.
Were you tipsy when you wrote this? haha I love you Braai