Review of Oman Air First Class

Muscat International Airport is the main international airport of Oman and is located in Seeb, 32 kilometres east of the old city and capital Muscat. It first opened in 1973 and has seen significant redevelopment in recent years, most notably the opening of an architecturally ambitious USD1.8 billion passenger terminal in 2018, which combines striking Omani-themed architecture with the very latest technology - including the world’s first operational drone detection system at an international airport.

The Oman Air First Class Lounge at Muscat Airport, which can be found on the 5th floor of the terminal, compares very favourably with First Class lounges in other major international airports. It is stylish and suitably refined, with a tasteful traditional Arabic décor rendered in an appealing colour palette of soft brown and gold hues. There really is everything you could want here from a First Class lounge – both a varied buffet and high-end à la carte dining, a bar with a choice selection of drinks - including some premium, aged whiskies, a spa with a variety of treatments, quiet nap rooms and private showers.

Because Oman Air currently only operates a few First Class services, you are almost certainly guaranteed much of this stunning facility to yourself - and also the most attentive service. When your flight is called, you may not want to leave, which may be why Oman Air provide you with a personal escort to your gate!

Oman Air has its own lounge for premium passengers in Bangkok, and partners with other airlines or third-party lounge providers at other airports.

Oman Air features a solid Business Class product across its network but only offers First Class on selected routes, such as from Muscat to London, Frankfurt and Bangkok. These routes are served by a couple of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, each featuring eight First Class Suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. Oman Air also has a handful of Airbus A330-300 aircraft equipped with First Class, although First Class is not sold on routes served by these aircraft, and the airline is reportedly in the process of removing the First Class cabins from their A330s.

Oman Air's First Class Suite on the Boeing 787-9 offers a very high level of luxury, privacy, functionality, and comfort for the traveller. The decor combines traditional signatures of Omani design - for example, the Islamic arch, with a modern finish throughout - it really is beautifully done. There are no overhead storage bins as the cabin crew helpfully take any larger bags from you to store away.

You can electrically adjust your leg rest, seat cushion, backrest and lumbar and can pan your seat forward and back to suit – and then save your settings in the memory function so you can recall them at time during your flight.  The seat is 25.5 inches (65 centimetres) wide and has a generous pitch of 85.5 inches (217 centimetres). It reclines a full 180 degrees to create a flat bed with ottoman of 82 inches (208 centimetres) in length. It also has an eight-point massage system.

The suite is designed with extra tall, soft closing sliding doors and comes with a canopy behind each headrest to ensure privacy. Centre seats also have adjustable dividers to provide the same at the touch of a button.

There is dedicated stowage for coat hanging and cabin baggage and a number of pockets about the console where you can store smaller personal effects, so they are to hand if you need them.

The Oman Air First Class Suite features a chilled minibar with a selection of soft drinks and snacks within easy reach. While a few other airlines also offer minibars in their First Class suites, Oman Air deserves credit for offering a minibar that works and is actually cold. Each suite comes with a range of personalisation features, controlled via the touchscreen panels at your console.

First Class passengers on Oman Air enjoy an on-demand à la carte menu – Savor – which offers a delicious range of Omani, Arabic, and international dining options. There is a beautifully presented caviar service, an award-winning wine selection and exclusive menus. The food is of the highest order and served on exclusively designed Narumi tableware.

Oman Air First Class menus include highlights such as Iranian Beluga caviar; baked cod sayadia; stuffed chicken breast with spinach and pine nuts with saffron cream sauce; grilled fillet of beef with thyme jus; paneer jalfrezi. There is an appetising range of warm baked goods, cheeses, and desserts.

A signature touch of Oman Air First Class dining is that pepper is offered from an oversized pepper mill.

First Class passengers have the option of dining restaurant-style face to face thanks to the generously sized table and a large ottoman at every seat that doubles as a guest seat.

It is very much dine-on-demand – at your pace, and your taste.

Before departure, Arabic coffee, dates, a hot towel, and mixed nuts are offered. Champagne and other cold beverages are also offered as a pre-departure beverage.

As expected, the Champagnes on offer in First Class are of high quality. Oman Air offers a choice of two Champagnes in First Class, which may vary by route. The first is a premium Champagne - expect the likes of Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires or Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime – while the second is a more standard Champagne such as Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé.

Beverage options include exotic teas by DAMMAN, a range of coffees including Illy espresso, fresh fruit juices, mineral waters, mocktails and cocktails (everything from Bucks Fizz to Mai-tai and Mojito).

The Gulf airlines are renowned for excellent service and Oman Air does not disappoint. The airline – like the country itself – tries to use as many “locally-sourced” staff as possible. The crew all speak English perfectly and are charming, friendly and aim to please. Oman Air First Class cabin crew are well trained and if they are somewhat formal at the start of a flight, they warm up and become more light-hearted as the flights progresses.

Oman Air upgraded its cabin crew uniform in 2019. Both dresses and suits are dominated by turquoise – “drawing inspiration from the Sea of Oman”. The stewardesses don a dinner jacket onboard while stewards wear smart suits at all times. 

Oman Air’s inflight entertainment system, ARIA, provides all the latest blockbuster titles, an extensive library of television boxsets together with audio and games on a 23-inch (58 centimetres) video screen monitor. The moving map is interactive and allows you to zoom in on details of interest.

There are assorted connections for your tech, including two USB plugs and an Ethernet plug, a Wireless IFE handset (and backup), an audio and assumption (RCA) plug and a PC power outlet. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided, but the quality could be better.

Wi-Fi is available on Oman Air Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 aircraft, with First Class passengers receiving free connectivity access for three hours or up to 100 MB data usage.

Oman Air has recently introduced a range of enhancements including quilted duvets, fluffy silk trimmed sleep pillows and cotton sleeper suits with slippers. His & hers amenity kits are by Amouage – Oman’s own luxury fragrance brand – and feature luxurious essentials in a rage of generous sizes. The usual comfort goodies are also included - dental kit, mouthwash, silk eyeshades, hairbrush, socks & ear plugs. Ladies kits come with a vanity set whilst male kits include a shaving set.

Amouage traditionally produces quite powerful scents in its products but they are quite toned down for Oman Air. 

Hot or cold towels are offered multiple times throughout the flight.

Oman Air does not offer a First Class cabin on short or medium haul flights, meaning that any connecting flights are in Business Class. For shorter flights, the Oman Air workhorses are primarily Boeing 737-800, 737-900 and 737-MAX 8 aircraft, supported by wide body jets when needed. The Boeing 737s feature comfortable recliner seats in a 2-2 configuration.

Tackling climate change is a priority issue for airlines around the world. Oman Air is seeking to reduce its own environmental impact with a range of initiatives aimed at reducing its energy and waste. In part, they are doing this by increasing the local sourcing of supplies, operating smaller aircraft on short haul routes, and replacing older aircraft with new, more fuel-efficient planes, which can result in reductions of up to 20% in carbon emissions.