You know the way I’m presently on a assessment journey to Oman to sit down on a sofa? Effectively, I’m nonetheless enroute to Oman, however sadly my journey simply took a little bit of a flip, which I feared may occur…
Oman Air has swapped planes and downgraded me
On Saturday, I’m speculated to fly from Muscat to Frankfurt on Oman Air in firstclass. That section was what motivated me to ebook this whole journey, as a result of Oman Air has a ridiculously cool Airbus A330 with the awesomest retro inside ever. It has a first-class cabin with six seats, in addition to a sofa in the course of the cabin.
Certain, Emirates might have showers, and Singapore Airways might have double beds, however this product simply seems to be like such an enthralling throwback, and it’s the only product that I’ve most been eager to fly.
After I wrote about having booked this itinerary, some readers warned me that Oman Air does typically swap planes, so I knew there was a threat of that. I are likely to handle my reservations very carefully, and whereas the airline hasn’t knowledgeable me of any adjustments to my itinerary, I do discover on ExpertFlyer that my flight now exhibits as being operated by an A330-200 quite than an A330-300, and the latter doesn’t function firstclass.
To assume that lower than 24 hours in the past I used to be the one individual to be booked in firstclass, and now I’m not even booked in firstclass… or a minimum of I’d assume I’m not?
Clearly that is disappointing, although one comfort is that the A330-200 working the flight seems to be one of many “historical” ones, additionally that includes a really cool enterprise class inside that’s a throwback. I like Oman Air’s retro interiors!
I perceive plane swaps occur for operational causes, however the way in which that Oman Air goes about that is greater than slightly shady, for my part. The airline sells firstclass tickets, after which with fairly some regularity swaps out the airplane. That’s not cool. Both don’t promote firstclass, or function reliably.
Certain, occasionally swaps occur, however it seems to be just like the airline has now swapped planes for 4 of the previous seven days. That simply displays careless scheduling, and never an appropriate stage of operational disruptions.
I’m curious to see how Oman Air handles this
Oman Air is a boutique airline, and solely has 4 jets which have firstclass cabins. I used to be the one individual booked in firstclass on this flight. Regardless of that, the airline hasn’t reached out or knowledgeable me of the downgrade, which you’d assume can be a standard courtesy in such a state of affairs. I solely find out about this as a result of I continuously monitor my reservations.
I’m solely passing by Muscat for a number of hours, so I’m curious to see what occurs after I get there. Anybody wish to place their wager as to how this performs out? This sort of state of affairs is a brand new one for me (particularly, a downgrade on a smaller airline the place I’m not aware of insurance policies), which is form of thrilling, frankly, as I get pleasure from studying from any new expertise.
To be sincere, I wouldn’t be stunned if I present up on the transit desk in Muscat, they usually difficulty me my enterprise class boarding move as if nothing occurred. Then after I clarify I used to be downgraded, I wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they shrug their shoulders, and that’s that.
My hope — and this ought to be the naked minimal in a state of affairs like this — is that they proactively advise me of the downgrade, nonetheless give me entry to the primary class lounge with all floor companies, and supply some kind of compensation (heck, I’ll take a bottle of Amouage cologne, or partial firstclass catering!)
It’s too unhealthy that this flight is to the European Union quite than from the European Union, as a result of if it had been the latter, EU261 would apply (for non-EU airways it in any other case solely applies when departing the EU).
Anyway, the rationale I’m writing about this now quite than ready to see how this performs out is as a result of I’m curious how OMAAT readers would deal with this, or if anybody has expertise with this on Oman Air That is my first time being downgraded in such a method on an airline the place I don’t know the coverage, so I wish to make sure you strategy this proper.
I don’t wish to be in any respect unreasonable, however I additionally really feel like I ought to push again slightly in the event that they don’t wish to even let me within the firstclass lounge, or acknowledge the downgrade.
Backside line
I had deliberate a assessment journey round with the ability to fly Oman Air’s superior outdated A330 firstclass. Sadly the airline appears to swap planes fairly usually, and I’m the newest “sufferer” of that. Whereas I’m after all bummed about this alteration, I don’t truly care that a lot, aside from being curious how the airline handles this example. I’m extremely fortunate to do what I do, and enterprise class can be nice too.
Let this even be a warning — should you’re additionally reserving an Oman Air A330 firstclass ticket, be ready to be upset with a swap. For that matter, should you don’t get swapped, benefit from the expertise much more, realizing how fortunate you’re!
Anybody wish to guess how it will play out? What would you anticipate from the airline (when it comes to remedy and acknowledgement)?
