Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 15 June, 2015 1:05 am |

Oman Air has won the Best Business Class Airline 2015 – Middle East category of the Business Destinations Travel Awards. The award recognises the outstanding quality of Oman Air’s Business Class passenger experience, both on the ground and in the air.

This year marks the fourth time Oman Air has won the award, having previously taken the title in 2011, 2012 and 2013. No other airline has won the award as many times as Oman Air.

Paul Greogowitsch, CEO Oman Air, welcomed the award, saying:

“Oman Air is delighted to accept the title of Best Business Class Airline 2015 – Middle East in the Business Destinations Travel Awards. It is a wonderful accolade to receive as we continue our ambitious expansion programme, which will enable many more air travellers to enjoy the Oman Air Business Class passenger experience.

“This is the fourth time that Oman Air has been presented with this award, which is a wonderful testament to the consistently high standard of our premium product. Over that time, we have continued to introduce more innovations and add even greater luxury to our Business Class service. For example, we have unveiled new airport lounges, introduced a superb premium check-in lounge at Muscat and launched a range of new products and services for our Sindbad frequent fliers.

“However, perhaps the most noticeable development has been the introduction on our new Airbus A330 and Boeing B737 aircraft of brand new Business Class cabins. Unveiled in late 2014, these retain the comfort and luxury of their predecessors, whilst adding even more features and contemporary styling.

“As a result, we are experiencing even greater demand for Business Class seats throughout our international network, and last year we carried more passengers than ever before.

“I would therefore like to thank the Business Destinations Travel Awards judges for this invaluable recognition and, most importantly, our customers for their loyalty and appreciation of Oman Air’s Business Class service.”

Business Destinations’ Features Editor, William Owen, adds:

“The team at Oman Air has continued to forge higher standards, offering wholly better services and standing head and shoulders above the competition for this category. The company’s dedication to fantastic customer service and expansion is certainly the benchmark for others within the industry.” 

Oman Air launched its most recent programme of expansion in October 2014. It will see the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman’s fleet grow to 50 aircraft by 2018, and to 70 aircraft by 2020. At that time, the fleet will consist of 25 wide-body aircraft and 45 narrow-body aircraft.

Each of the new aircraft features new Business Class and Economy Class cabins, including newly-designed and spacious seating. Oman Air’s long haul Business Class cabin offers 24 seats, each of which converts to a 77-inch/196cm long fully lie-flat bed. Whilst the seats are fitted in a 2-2-2 configuration, they still provide direct aisle access for every passenger, thanks to an ingenious cabin layout. In addition, each seat includes electrically-controlled comfort features, as well as a folding armrest for easy access.

Even the inflight entertainment (IFE) technology has been upgraded, and its expanded range of movies, music, games and information is accessed via a neat IFE handset and a vast 17-inch personal monitor.

The 12 Business Class seats on each of Oman Air’s new short and medium haul B737s are also brand new. They too offer electrically controlled comfort positions and PC power outlet. A 10.6-inch/27cm IFE screen offers access to the aircraft’s Thales AVANT in-seat AVOD system and its media content, which includes movies, music, games and information, and is able to support the MPEG4 format.

Inflight dining is based around fresh, seasonal ingredients, the a la carte menus are changed regularly and meals are served by Oman Air’s award-winning flight attendants. Delicious menus are also a feature of Oman Air’s Business Class airport lounges, which are located at Muscat International Airport, Salalah International Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Each lounge also offers a wide range of refreshments, well-appointed bathroom facilities, quiet zones, business centres and prayer rooms.

The Business Destinations Travel Awards are designed to showcase those companies whose products and services represent the pinnacle of the business travel industry. Unique in travel accolade platforms, the awards are chosen by a vast and diverse cross section of primary users and purchasers of corporate travel that make up the magazine’s readership. The magazine’s editorial board believes strongly that this exceptional recognition should be determined by the widest possible audience, whose first-hand experience of frequent travel is best suited to select the overall winners.

The latest issue of the magazine (Summer 2015) includes a two-page feature about Oman Air’s Business Class passenger experience. The feature can be read at www.businessdestinations.com/latest-issue.