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While, technically, this was a Qatar flight (with a Qatar flight number) all but the catering menu was Oman Air (i.e. this was a 'wet lease'). For reasons beyond my knowledge, the Doha to Colombo service is the ‘test track’ for Qatar Airways. I have flown this route many times but always get a different plane and configuration. I have seen the 777 with and without QSuites, two different A330 configurations, the A350s leased from LATAM, and now Oman Air!
Oman Air Business Class Review - Al Mourjan Business Lounge Experience
The Qatar Airways (Al Mourjan) business class lounge is still likely the best business class facility in the world. It’s just done as you’d expect it as a traveler - someone with real common sense has planned out and designed the operations of this traveler Mecca.
I took a lovely shower, had brunch and lunch later. The lunch options now have cold appetizers, a hot buffet (the only place at Doha airport where masks are required), and sushi. I liked the sushi the most - it’s made right in front of you.
Oman Air Business Class Review - Boarding Experience
Boarding can be tricky at this huge airport. My gate was a bus gate right at the end of the CDE gates. Several massive flights boarded at the same time, which made the area quite hectic and unpleasant. Qatar Airways also has that quirk of having the last bus only available for business class passengers. They’d like you to wait for this very late bus, which only arrived at the scheduled takeoff time. This was frustrating.
The bus transfer also took a long time, and we seemed to be driven to the last plane in the line. With all this, I was the last person aboard (rather unwillingly).
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Oman Air Business Class Review - Seats & Sleeping Experience
Oman Air has chosen a business class seat that resembles other airlines such as Japan Airlines. It’s a long suite with minimal storage options. It’s just about as wide as my shoulders, and I definitely felt cramped initially. You also sit right next to your fellow seatmate with no real privacy (as long as the privacy wall is down).
I wasn’t a fan of the seat while in the taxi/takeoff position - too many things shifted around constantly.
However, once reclined to a lie-flat position, the seat became one of my favorite business class seats. There is so much room to stretch out - I think even at 7 feet you’d have no trouble. Since there is no foot cubby you get the full vertical space as well, and it is easy to turn into almost any position. While I was not expecting to sleep much, the enormous amount of room made it easier to do so, only waking up a few times.
This was an almost full flight, so it was great to get the space and eventual privacy of business class.
Oman Air Business Class Review - Catering
I was not hungry but determined to see what Qatar or Oman would cater for this flight. There is 'only' a dinner service for this five-hour flight.
The appetizer and main course looked great, but I did not like the taste - maybe I was too spoilt from the awesome delights at the Qatar business class lounge a few hours back?
Oman Air Business Class Review - The staff
The staff seemed extremely friendly but somewhat distant. Maybe that’s the desired customer experience for many Gulf countries. I take it any day over the ‘Prison Guards’ or the rude flight attendants I've encountered on some flights.
Oman Air Business Class Review - The conclusion
Qatar makes this flight such a lottery - it is always a surprise to see what will await you at boarding time. This was no QSuites experience, but I really liked the Oman Air business class on the A330 and found it EASIER to sleep as a somewhat tall person than in the QSuites. I’d be happy to fly Oman Air again!
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