Good morning from Muscat, as I’ve reached the turnaround level of my assessment journey to Oman. I simply flew Oman Air’s Boeing 787-9 enterprise class on the very quick 5hr40min in a single day flight from Milan to Muscat.
Whereas I’ll have a full journey report quickly, on this submit I needed to share my preliminary impressions. It has been years since I’ve flown Oman Air enterprise class on a non-regional route. I’ve lengthy mentioned that Oman Air is one among my favourite airline manufacturers, and that Oman Air has one of many world’s finest enterprise class merchandise.
So, has my opinion modified? No, under no circumstances. Truly, Oman Air is even higher than I keep in mind, and my flight was past nice. Whereas Oman Air has a few quirks, this should be among the many most unimaginable experiences you’ll discover in enterprise class on an in a single day flight of this size. I can’t await Oman Air to affix oneworld later this 12 months!
As you learn the under, distinction this to my SWISS A330 enterprise class expertise that I simply shared my preliminary impressions of, and do not forget that my SWISS flight was two hours longer. Oman Air is simply in a totally totally different league.
Oman Air’s 787 enterprise class Apex Suites are superior
Oman Air’s Boeing 787s have Apex Suites, that are amongst my favourite enterprise class seats on the earth. In case you haven’t but flown on this product, you won’t suppose a lot of it, based mostly on the 2-2-2 format.
Nevertheless, the window seats on this configuration are powerful to beat. There’s a protect that goes up between the aisle and window seat, so it’s most likely essentially the most non-public enterprise class seat within the skies. Better of all, there’s no small footwell that it’s important to squeeze your ft into, however slightly you may have just about limitless house when in mattress mode.
The explanation these seats aren’t extra widespread with airways is as a result of they’re an inefficient use of house, as they provide a lot actual property to every passenger. This stays one among my favourite enterprise class seats.
One other cool factor is that Oman Air’s 787-9s have a ahead enterprise class cabin with 4 rows, after which a rear cabin with only a single row of seats. That rear cabin nearly makes you’re feeling such as you’re in firstclass, as you’re feeling like there are simply six seats (by no means thoughts that these are sometimes the final seats to replenish). The views from the seats are superior as nicely.
Oman Air’s enterprise class facilities are phenomenal
Oman Air’s enterprise class facilities are among the many finest supplied by any airline. For one, Oman Air presents prime notch bedding, together with a cushty pillow, a comfy blanket, and even a mattress pad. The crew can be comfortable to carry out turndown service for passengers.
On prime of that, Oman Air companions with Amouage on its amenity kits, which really feel tremendous high-end. This features a lip balm, a facial moisturizer, and even a cologne. Lots of the fundamental facilities, like dental kits, are available within the bathrooms.
Oman Air even presents pajamas and slippers in enterprise class. Sure, even on an in a single day flight that’s this quick. I like the standard of the pajamas and slippers as nicely. This can be a bizarre factor to level out, however the slippers are the heaviest I’ve been supplied on any airline.
Oman Air’s enterprise class meals & drinks are scrumptious
Oman Air has a dine on demand idea in enterprise class, with the choice of having fun with two meals on the flight. The meals high quality and presentation nearly felt extra like what you’d sometimes discover in firstclass slightly than in enterprise class.
Service started with drinks and blended nuts. I ordered champagne, and Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut was on provide. Oman Air has an important service process, with all meals being served immediately onto the tray desk, wine being poured on the seat, and many others.
To kick off the meal, I had a roasted pumpkin and yellow lentil soup, which was as tasty because it was fairly.
Then for the principle course, I had the prawns machboos, which was among the best dishes I’ve ever had in enterprise class.
Subsequent up was a cheese plate.
Final however not least was dessert, which consisted of a raspberry and white chocolate frangipane.
After a short meals coma, it was time for much more meals. Breakfast consisted of a fruit plate, in addition to a collection of bread, together with a croissant, a danish, and a roll.
In fact a overwhelming majority of individuals gained’t have two meals on this flight because it significantly limits the flexibility to sleep, however I figured it was my job. 😉
Oman Air’s leisure is nice, Wi-Fi is laughable
Whereas to not the extent of Emirates’ ICE system, Oman Air’s ARIA leisure is a large enchancment over what the airline used to supply, as there have been a whole bunch of flicks and TV reveals.
In fact as an avgeek, my favourite inflight leisure function is all the time the airshow.
Okay, I’ve had nothing however reward for Oman Air up till now, so let me level out the worst a part of the expertise. Oman Air makes use of OnAir for its inflight leisure, which is thought for providing among the many slower connectivity within the sky.
Not solely that, however Oman Air’s Wi-Fi pricing is past absurd. Like, it’s not just a bit excessive, it’s outrageous. A full flight Wi-Fi cross prices $39.90. Okay, that’s excessive, however I can stay with that. However wait, that cross has an information restrict of 150MB. That may final me about half-hour, at most.
In the meantime the three hour Wi-Fi cross prices $24.90, and is restricted to 40MB of knowledge. Suggesting that 40MB is a suitable quantity of knowledge for 3 hours of connectivity is much more laughable than the pricing.
Oman Air, you’ve gotta change this pricing, stat. This isn’t nearly it detracting from the general expertise, however there’s no manner Oman Air is maximizing income with this pricing. I’d prefer to suppose I’m one of many least value delicate individuals in relation to the price of inflight Wi-Fi, since I completely work remotely and fly on a regular basis. However this pricing provides even me pause, and I selected to not join on this flight.
Backside line
Oman Air is such an important little airline, with an incredible inflight product. Whereas my good inflight experiences with the airline return a few years, I feel Oman Air’s enterprise class smooth product is even higher than earlier than.
It’s clear that the airline places plenty of effort into offering an important enterprise class expertise, and that’s refreshing to see, particularly at a time the place so many airways go in the other way. Now if solely the airline put the identical quantity of effort into not swapping planes and downgrading individuals. 😉
What’s your tackle Oman Air’s Boeing 787 enterprise class?
