MCT-BKK Oman Air First Class
MCT-BKK Oman Air First Class Seat
The Oman Air First Class experience was an impressive one, and I was fully immersed in the Royal Middle Eastern hospitality on this flight. An experience that is definitely worth trying at least once in your lifetime!
MCT-BKK Oman Air First Class
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Following my delightful time at the Oman Air First Class lounge, I was escorted to the gate by the friendly lounge staff.
Departing from Muscat, we were greeted by clear, sunny weather!
Seats
Oman Air’s B787-9 First Class cabin consists of 8 seats, mirroring the design and layout of Qatar Airways' First Class to a large extent, but with the notable addition of a closed suite door, significantly enhancing seat privacy!
Once the cabin door is shut, visibility of neighbouring seats is minimal, requiring one to stand up to catch a glimpse, and even then, other cabins remain barely visible.
The legroom as expected is exceptionally generous, and managing the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) requires the use of the touchscreen IFE controller conveniently located at the side of your seat (the IFE screen itself isn't touchscreen anyways).
Features
On the sides of your seat, you'll find the generously sized dining table, headphone jack, and USB charging port. Seat controls are ergonomically situated on the right side, while an additional charging outlet offers both USB and main adaptor charging options.
The storage options are quite impressive, with a compartment below the IFE system that doubles as an ottoman (suitable for couple dining) and an elongated storage area beside the seat.
There's also a storage area near the window, serving as a complimentary drinks storage area! However, unlike the chilled storage on Emirates, this one isn't refrigerated 😢
Amenities
A headphone was supplied, boasting impressive sound quality and comfort. Interestingly, pyjamas were also provided for this daytime flight, featuring a wonderfully soft texture! However, they were a tad too large for me, and unfortunately, the smallest size available. This was a minor disappointment, as this would have been my new travel pyjamas if they were of the correct size.
The amenity kit was among the best that I have received from my flights! I particularly appreciated its size and texture. It contained socks, a comb, an eye mask that offered excellent comfort, hand sanitizer, hand and body lotion, and lip balm from Amouage, a local Omani brand. I found their fragrance to be really pleasant.
Additionally, slippers were provided, although their quality was average.
WiFi
First Class passengers have access to complimentary Wifi on board, with a promotional code provided during boarding. This was one of the instances whereby connectivity was excellent with minimal lagging—great experience!
Alternatively, Oman Air offers data plans below, which I found to be relatively expensive. Perhaps this is why the WiFi during the flight was exceptionally smooth for me?😝
In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)
The In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, named ARIA Inflight Entertainment, had a sleek interface, and the movies variety was decent enough, offering a selection of recent Western movies, though not as extensive as what you might find on airlines like Qatar or Emirates. Interestingly, there was a diverse range of Arabic movies available, if you happen to be interested in watching them.
Dining
First and foremost, would have to highlight how Oman Air really shines in terms of providing a premium dining experience, exemplified by their elegantly presented hardcover menu. Now that definitely feels like first-class travel 😉
The alcohol selection was equally impressive, with Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millesime being offered. Naturally, I couldn't resist indulging in this exquisite selection, perfectly complementing the accompanying mixed nuts!
Just prior to departure, passengers were also served dates and traditional Arabic coffee.
The safety video was also shown, showcasing the breathtaking scenery of Oman. I would definitely love to come back to visit the country in greater depth!
Meal service commenced with the unfolding of a generously sized and sturdy tray by the crew, reminiscent of those found in Qatar Airways' First Class cabins.
A delightful four-course meal awaited, starting with an amuse-bouche of poached scallop. While the scallop's unusual yellowish hue initially caught my attention, the pesto dressing harmonized beautifully with its flavour, earning my commendation! 👍
Of course, I had to select the Oscietra Caviar for the appetizer, which proved to be a wise choice and surpassing my expectations compared to the one on Singapore Airlines. (not that I can boast of a lot of experience with Caviar 😶). The accompaniments felt much better, enhancing the overall experience.
Moving on to the main course, I selected the Arabic Chicken Kabsa, featuring flavourful Kabsa rice that complemented perfectly with the addition of cashew nuts.
The dining experience concluded with a delightful Raspberry and Lychee Slice dessert, accompanied by a decadent chocolate sauce. The inclusion of poached apple served as a refreshing contrast, balancing the sweetness of the lychee and chocolate admirably.
Unable to resist, I indulged in an additional selection of cheeses, because why not?
In summary, a really nice First Class dining experience on Oman Air, standing shoulder to shoulder with offerings from other premier Middle Eastern airlines.
Sleep Experience
Unfortunately, I neglected to capture any images of the flat bed for some reason, so I'll be sourcing some pictures from Prince of Travel to illustrate. 😶
True to First Class standards, the lie-flat bed provided ample length and space for comfortable movement. The addition of a closed suite door further enhanced privacy and elevated the overall experience.
After indulging in a satisfying meal (and perhaps a few too many alcoholic beverages 🤣) I drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Upon awakening, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a basket of snacks and bottled water thoughtfully placed by the attentive crew. Naturally, I couldn't resist continuing to enjoy the selection of beverages on offer.
Overall, I had a great sleep experience on Oman Air’s First Class, thanks to the comfort and convenience of the lie-flat bed.
Bathroom
Just after my fantastic meal, it was time to change into my pajamas and make a visit to the restroom. The size was relatively standard, and was definitely not as luxurious as the Qatar Airways’ version! Bathroom amenities were provided by Amouage.
More surprisingly was the presence of a Japanese bidet - a rare find on a Middle Eastern airline! This certainly added a significant bonus to the overall experience, earning extra points in my book! 😄😄
Service
In my personal opinion, the service provided in Oman Air's First Class was truly exceptional. I would describe it as "unintrusive," meaning that the staff demonstrated a remarkable ability to be attentive without being overly imposing. They seemed to anticipate the perfect moments to attend to passengers' needs, such as seamlessly transitioning between meal courses and promptly placing the snack basket after my nap. Service requests were also handled promptly, perhaps aided by the fact that there were relatively few guests in First Class at the time. Anyway, this level of service excellence perfectly complemented the outstanding on-ground service offered at their First Class Lounge. Two thumbs up! 👍👍
With our journey concluding, we landed at BKK in the evening, where I made my way to my overnight accommodations under the cover of the dark night.
Conclusion
Overall, my inaugural flight experience with Oman Air's First Class left a lasting impression! I arguably found the experience even more enjoyable than my previous flights with Qatar Airways or Etihad (though I must admit, my perspective might be slightly biased as I wasn't feeling well during the flight 😶).
Nonetheless, I'm eager to try out Oman Air's Business Class (on the Apex Suites) in the near future!
