Throughout my downgraded journey to Oman, I had a roughly seven hour layover at Muscat Airport. I used to be arriving from Milan in Oman Air’s 787 enterprise class, and flying to Frankfurt in Oman Air’s A330 enterprise class.
I spent my layover in each the Oman Air Enterprise Lounge and Oman Air First Lounge, and on this installment I’ll be reviewing the latter. The explanation I had entry to this lounge is as a result of I used to be presupposed to fly to Frankfurt in firstclass, however was downgraded resulting from an plane swap. In mild of this, I used to be nonetheless granted entry to the Oman Air First Lounge.
Okay, I’ve gotta be sincere, the Oman Air First Lounge Muscat completely fascinates me. It makes completely no sense in any manner. This can be a large lounge for the airline with one of many world’s smallest firstclass footprints. I don’t perceive why Oman Air has such an enormous firstclass lounge, however I had all the factor to myself for my complete go to.
This can be a unbelievable lounge, in all honesty, with personalised service, chef ready meals, and extra. Let’s get into the evaluation.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat location
As soon as within the departures space, the Oman Air Lounge is situated within the central space of the terminal, proper by all of the responsibility free procuring. You’ll must go up a stage to the fifth ground, because the departures stage of the terminal is on the fourth ground. Then you definitely’ll see a round walkway the place you may entry the Aerotel, the Primeclass Lounge, and the Oman Air Lounge.
The lounge entrance covers each sections of the lounge, so when you’ve got entry to the primary class part, you’ll be escorted there, because the door is hidden, and is true behind reception.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat hours
The Oman Air First Lounge Muscat is open 24/7, reflecting that Gulf airports have flights all hours of the day and night time. Although to be sincere, it doesn’t matter what time of day you’re on this lounge, you’ll discover it to be empty.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat entry necessities
The Oman Air First Lounge is completely open to passengers touring in Oman Air firstclass. This consists of a really small fleet:
- Oman Air has two Boeing 787-9s every with eight firstclass seats, which persistently fly to London (LHR), and likewise generally serve different locations, like Bangkok (BKK)
- Oman Air has two Airbus A330-300s with six firstclass seats, which generally fly to Frankfurt (FRA) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL); nevertheless, the airline usually doesn’t even assign these planes to routes the place it sells firstclass
Actually, it makes no financial sense for Oman Air to supply firstclass, because the airline sells so few firstclass seats, even on its London route. As talked about above, I used to be within the lounge for round six hours (together with simply previous to the London flight), and there wasn’t a single different passenger.
One fascinating consideration is that Oman Air is anticipated to hitch the oneworld alliance quickly. In principle, oneworld lounge entry insurance policies permit oneworld Emerald members to entry firstclass lounges. Nevertheless, lounges can select to be excluded from this association, so we’ll see what Oman Air does.
When it comes to using area effectively, it appears to me like Oman Air ought to let oneworld Emerald members into its firstclass lounge. Then once more, when the airline doesn’t even permit its personal prime tier elites into this lounge, maybe it’s not such a slam dunk.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat format & seating
The Oman Air First Lounge Muscat is sort of giant. By my rely, the lounge has over 75 seats, and I can’t think about this lounge ever will get greater than a dozen passengers (and that might most likely be the lounge’s absolute file crowding stage, as normally there is only one or two individuals in right here, at most).
Anyway, as you enter the lounge, you’ll discover quite a lot of seating preparations, usually with 4 or so chairs surrounding a espresso desk. The decor is blingy, although I additionally admire the eye to element within the design, because it actually is an exquisite area. Like, I wouldn’t wish to adorn my house this manner, however I believe it’s a great reflection of Omani design.
Personally I’d advocate sitting deeper within the lounge, the place you’ll discover much more pure mild, due to the floor-to-ceiling home windows. This space of the lounge has the gorgeous bar with six stools, 4 eating tables, after which rows of seats organized in rows, dealing with each other.
The again nook of the lounge additionally has a residing room-style space, plus some a workstation with an iMac.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat meals & drinks
The Oman Air First Lounge Muscat has extraordinarily personalized service, with fairly just a few foods and drinks choices. The second I arrived within the lounge, I used to be welcomed by Charlotte, the beautiful host who can be caring for me. She was the one one that was working within the lounge, however then once more, I used to be the one passenger, so I’d say a 1:1 employees to passenger ratio appears acceptable. 😉
As quickly as I settled in, Charlotte introduced me with the menu.
She additionally introduced me a tray of snacks, with all types of nuts, dried fruit, dates, and goodies.
To kick off my keep within the lounge, she ready me an exquisite cappuccino, which even had the Oman Air brand stenciled onto it with cinnamon.
A couple of minutes later, the chef appeared to welcome me, introduce the eating idea, and to inform me that he’d be comfortable to arrange a meal each time. Under is a have a look at the breakfast and all-day eating menu.
Then under you will discover the drink checklist, together with champagne, purple and white wine, beer, spirits, gentle drinks, espresso, and extra.
I made a decision to eat later throughout my go to, at round lunchtime. To start out, I ordered the mezze with hummus, shanklish, moutabal, fried labneh balls, and tropical fruit salsa, although I requested for it with out the lamb kibbeh.
For my primary course, I ordered the chargrilled salmon with balsamic star anise discount, with mashed parmesan potatoes, sautéed spinach, bell peppers, and carrots. I might have ordered the king prawn machboos, besides that’s precisely the dish I had on my earlier flight.
Lastly, for dessert I had the chocolate and mango sorbet, with berries.
The extent of personalization was nice, and Charlotte and the chef have been each so pleasant. I’d say the meals was good however not superb, as I didn’t suppose the meals was a lot better than on the airplane.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat loos & showers
The Oman Air First Lounge Muscat has loos and showers, situated at the back of the lounge, close to the bar space. The lavatory space consisted of two sinks and three toilet stalls.
The loos felt tremendous luxe, and even had Amouage facilities. They have been additionally meticulously clear, however you’d sort of count on that, on condition that there was nobody else utilizing the toilet.
On prime of that, the lounge has a single bathe suite, with a sink, a rest room, and a walk-in bathe.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat nap room
The Oman Air First Lounge has two nap rooms, named Muscat and Salalah.
These are non-public rooms, although sadly aren’t correct bedrooms. They every function a daybed with an ottoman and a TV, plus a drink and snack basket.
This can be a good facility when you’re trying to get some relaxation, although it’s not essentially probably the most snug sleeping setup on the planet, ought to you will have an extended layover.
Oman Air First Lounge Muscat spa
The Oman Air Lounge Muscat has a Shangri-La Spa. This may be accessed by way of the enterprise class lounge, as there’s a staircase from that lounge main as much as the spa. Top quality passengers are entitled to a complimentary 15-minute spa therapy.
I want I might have taken benefit of this, although sadly the spa was closed for “upkeep” throughout my go to, so I wasn’t capable of test it out.
Backside line
The Oman Air First Lounge Muscat is a cushty, unique facility. The lounge is big (given how few individuals have entry to it), and has a pleasant bar and eating space, nap rooms, personalised service, a big collection of drinks, and a la carte eating.
The economics of this lounge — or of Oman Air firstclass general, for that matter — make no sense. However nonetheless, visiting this lounge is such a deal with. What different firstclass lounge wherever on the planet are you able to go to for six hours, and have all to your self?
What do you make of the Oman Air First Lounge Muscat?
