Just in time. My review of Oman Air's First Class, a few days before it was "downgraded"
What are the most "desired" tickets? obviously the first-class ones, not many companies still offer at [...]
Oman Air
MCT
What are the most "desired" tickets? obviously those in first class, not many companies still offer this cabin on board their planes. For some the F is obsolete, for others it is no longer necessary, but fortunately there are still companies that are betting heavily on this seat.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- 787/9
- Class:
- First
- Treat:
- BKK - MCT
- Price:
- 62k Flying Boue + €283
- Book
The Flying Blue program is (probably) the one that Allows you to reserve the largest number of seats of F, but Oman Air is no longer listed since a few days after my flight the carrier announced the Downgrade its First Class to Business Suite.
Reservation
I love traveling by paying for tickets with points, the reason is simple: I feel like I am traveling for free. Of course it is not actually free, but especially when it comes to first-class tickets, the savings are really important.
This ticket cost me 62 thousand Flying Blue miles and just under 300€ in taxes and surcharges. Certainly not a few for a flight of just under 6h, considering that with 70k FB points you can fly business class right from Bangkok to Milan, but it was still first class,
At the airport
I arrived at the airport in Bangkok with my usual early arrival, although the morning departure is the one I hate when departing from Thailand's capital, the traffic is hell, but better not to risk it.
Fastest check-in procedures I have ever had at this airport, zero questions, but also very little attention to what for all intents and purposes was the only first-class passenger on board.
I was handed my boarding pass and invited to head to the Oman Air lounge. No escort or special treatment.
Only once I got to the lounge did I feel special., here I had been reserved one of the two relaxation corners. present in the waiting room of Oman Air.
I was then escorted to the gate by a lounge attendant, but even here I then ended up in line with all the other passengers at the boarding gate.
On Board
The cabin of this 787 accommodates 8 seats of First Class, a classic configuration for these first classes, but the difference is that we are not on a 777/300, but on a small Dreamliner. The structure has a double door that isolates the passenger from the rest of the cabin. The walls are very high and privacy is really total, in my case it was absolute since I was the only first class passenger.
No hatboxes and therefore really spacious environment and not at all oppressive given the presence of such high walls that could give a claustrophobic effect.
If traveling as a couple, the two center rows are the best choice; the center bulkhead drops down and makes it more comfortable to travel with a traveling companion. The ambience is very nice and is a major upgrade over the already Beautiful business class cabin on Oman's fleet.
Extra large bathroom, accomplice to the positioning in the middle of the cabin, lots of pampering available including even of the Japanese toilet seat.
The chair
As often happens I had chosen the 1K chair., the reason is the distance from the front door, which often means confusion when boarding.
Space is plenty, comfort is just as much, and the seat is very comfortable, but it could not be otherwise since we are in first class and not economy.
The bench under the screen can serve as a seat in case you want to eat, chat or play cards with a fellow traveler. Underneath as usual it houses a storage space.
There is so much space that there is a mock minibar, not refrigerated, that holds two cans and as many bottles of water.
The seat is operated from the hand control and touch screen in the armrest, the IFE controller is hidden under a flap, and a second storage space is to the right of the seat.
In bed mode, the chair drops down and becomes completely horizontal, and to make everything more comfortable, a topper of a couple of centimeters is also placed so that you can really sleep like in your bed at home.
When you close the door you are completely isolated, the wall is very high and completely isolates you from the aisle and protects you from the prying eyes of other passengers (when there are any).
A reading light and especially an air vent available to each passenger.
Very interesting that in the seat management there is also a "help" function that explains to the passenger where the various functions of the seat are.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes finding the outlet, where to hook up headphones or whatever can be nerve-wracking.
IFE
The entertainment system is called ARIA, as always it is the same throughout the aircraft, what changes is the size of the screen and possibly the presence, or absence, of a controller.
I can't complain at all about the quantity and quality of content, sure there was a lack of live TV, but for a 6-hour flight there is enough content to spend the entire flight in peace.
Good headphones and easy to use controller, which is not a given, to enjoy in-flight entertainment.
A crazy disappointment the wi-fi. Sure those who travel in First have a free voucher, but it is a faux time-based service since in addition to counted minutes you also have a traffic constraint, and today 100mb is really too little to say "you can do whatever you want."
Service
Ready to go comes Arabian date coffee, it is offered aboard all the Arab carriers and I don't like it, but out of politeness I always say yes, it's like going to someone's house and not accepting what is offered.
The amenity kit is full of Amouage brand products, a top-notch brand just made in Oman. I admit I was not familiar with it until a reader asked me about the products found in the business class beauty.
Being the only passenger definitely helped my experience, in fact there were two attendants just for me. Super pampered.
Spectacular porcelain, sure Etihad's are Armanai's, but I think they are the most beautiful ones ever found on board an airplane.
The assistant also prepared my bed in one of the available chairs, not the first time this has happened to me and it's not even the first time I've been alone in first class.
Food & Beverage
Wine list and menu delivered minutes after boarding. The wine cellar all made in France, with the champagne treat really a TOP label.
Excellent menu also considering that we were leaving mid-morning and I was afraid I would be served breakfast.
Not only for the aperitif, I enjoyed these bubbles throughout the flight.
Perfect the caviar service, perhaps one of the most elegant I've ever found at 30,000 feet, then on this china probably even a findus dumpling would look dirty.
The service was perfect throughout, perhaps only the dessert did not live up to the rest of the gastronomic journey taken on board.
In conclusion
I can say that I was doubly lucky. The first C- bump was getting to book this ticket, as soon as FB added Oman Air to its partners I jumped on this ticket. The second was just the timing, as the carrier in Muscat very few days after I flew this cabin decided to bid farewell to the F cabin.
Pro
- The service
- The chinaware
- The menu
Against
- The wi-fi
- No pajamas