Oman Air booking issues

[RooFlyer]

Just for info.

For the past 10 days, my TA has been trying book me Sydney-LHR and then CDG-Sydney return in June next year, on Oman Air, as I was keen to try them.

Going out no problem; SYD-BKK on QF, (overnight) BKK-MCT-LHR on WY. But had to wait for the return flights to come within range and availability on the lower business fare buckets going out was low.

First problem was that Oman Air don't fly daily from CDG (nor just about any European port except LHR). AND I wanted to fly the last leg on MH from KUL, as it was the most attractive fare and a daytime flight - my preference. But WY don't fly daily to KUL either. In fact I had to depart CDG on a Monday to be able to connect through. Couldn't do that.

So then looked at all the other ports (I have to Award flight position to the departure port, so it doesn't really matter which port I originate on WY on.).

LHR (daily) was out due to high departure taxes etc.

MUC and IST were out as it was a B737 into MCT, 5-6 hrs.

Down to ZRH and FRA. Still couldn't connect through KUL, so BKK then. Alternatives QF overnight, or TG day flight - again my preference. But the fare was $0.8K higher using TG over QF!!! Keeping it in the OW family, obviously.

So eventually got SYD-BKK-MCT-LHR, ZRH-MCT-BKK-SYD with the leg to and from BKK on Qantas, for about $6,800. (I've run out of points to get my usual Award positioning flight to/from BKK ).

Ex FRA on the return leg $300 more expensive

 

[German_flyer]

Have you tried the return flight from MXP ?
MXP is usally the cheapest WY B787 european departure point.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have you tried the return flight from MXP ?
MXP is usally the cheapest WY B787 european departure point.

Thanks, no, missed that one.

 

[Lat34]

Have you tried the return flight from MXP ?
MXP is usally the cheapest WY B787 european departure point.

Agree re $$ but schedule is not daily departure.

However this means we are able to fit in three night Muscat stopover on the way back to Oz via Manila.

 

[SYD]

Surprised there aren’t some more sneaky QR/WY codeshare options (given they’re new BFFs). ie book a QR tix but include some WY operated flights (for those looking to sample) or v.v?

 

[clifford]

Thanks, no, missed that one.

I guess you also missed FCO then.

 

[RooFlyer]

I guess you also missed FCO then.

Nope. B737.

 

[German_flyer]

Another way to drop the fare is when you start on the first leg with a Lufthansa feeder.
This works from ports like BER, HAM, CPH, ARN, OSL ,BRU, VIE and many others.
Mostly you will be then routed via FRA, MUC or ZRH.

 

[RooFlyer]

Another way to drop the fare is when you start on the first leg with a Lufthansa feeder.
This works from ports like BER, HAM, CPH, ARN, OSL ,BRU, VIE and many others.
Mostly you will be then routed via FRA, MUC or ZRH.

Thanks; good to know. I assume that means a ticket fully originating in Europe?

In my case I am originating from Australia and my issue is that I am very particular about the date to depart from Europe, the type of plane, the hours of the flight and the connections!

Hard to please .

This is a try and see exercise for me; I’m usually a QR flyer to Europe.

 

[German_flyer]

Thanks; good to know. I assume that means a ticket fully originating in Europe?

I think the final fare is a mix from where your outbound starts and from where your inbound starts.
Type of aircraft is today a bit of gamble. In my opinion could that affect many WY destinations in the future.

 

[SYD]

This is a try and see exercise for me; I’m usually a QR flyer to Europe.

As an aside, whenever I search for best fares ex CGK, MNL, SIN, BKK etc, to UK/Europe (searching across multiple cities). QR usually has the best available OW fare from one or more ports. CX often 2nd best. WY often ~$1k more.

Yet prior to joining OW, WY had a post Covid fare from Oz to Europe for sub $6k (from memory). Something we’re not seeing from others (other than maybe UL) but certainly not QR. We used to see excellent deals with JL and CX ex Oz but now, still pretty much all airlines have jumped on the post Covid “Oz Tax” gouging bandwagon…

 

[jase05]

As an aside, whenever I search for best fares ex CGK, MNL, SIN, BKK etc, to UK/Europe (searching across multiple cities). QR usually has the best available OW fare from one or more ports. CX often 2nd best. WY often ~$1k more.

Yet prior to joining OW, WY had a post Covid fare from Oz to Europe for sub $6k (from memory). Something we’re not seeing from others (other than maybe UL) but certainly not QR. We used to see excellent deals with JL and CX ex Oz but now, still pretty much all airlines have jumped on the post Covid “Oz Tax” gouging bandwagon…

I’ve been researching hard for next years trip in June/July and WY have J fares SYD-FRA for $6.2k using either KUL with MH or BKK with TG. If you choose the KUL option you just need to select the days that WY utilise their 787 and not the MAX. Pretty good fare for peak time IMO.

 

[SYD]

I’ve been researching hard for next years trip in June/July and WY have J fares SYD-FRA for $6.2k using either KUL with MH or BKK with TG. If you choose the KUL option you just need to select the days that WY utilise their 787 and not the MAX. Pretty good fare for peak time IMO.

We just need QF and/or WY to sort out earning tables and I’ll happily book it (or similar). I’m totally over the CGK stopover….

 

[jase05]

We just need QF and/or WY to sort out earning tables and I’ll happily book it (or similar). I’m totally over the CGK stopover….

I don’t do as many as you do I still enjoy my CGK stopovers and have another one in October but I have found that on several of our recent trips KUL actually has better prices especially on QR and we do love KL so tend to alternate between KUL and CGK now

 

[Lat34]

Surprised there aren’t some more sneaky QR/WY codeshare options (given they’re new BFFs). ie book a QR tix but include some WY operated flights (for those looking to sample) or v.v?

See here: Alliances and Partners : Oman Air

Please note that all passengers travelling on flights operated by other carriers (including codeshare flights), are not eligible to access the Oman Air Lounges.​

 

[SYD]

See here: Alliances and Partners : Oman Air

Please note that all passengers travelling on flights operated by other carriers (including codeshare flights), are not eligible to access the Oman Air Lounges.​

I’ve not checked but I recall some revised rules now that they’re OW?

 

[Lat34]

I’ve not checked but I recall some revised rules now that they’re OW?

info is "fresh" from Alliance section of Oman Air website, though possibly pending an update
Thinking more in reference to your earlier comment "Surprised there aren’t some more sneaky QR/WY codeshare options ..."

 

[SYD]

Thinking more in reference to your earlier comment "Surprised there aren’t some more sneaky QR/WY codeshare options ..."

That was more along the lines of potentially having more options given the constraints on routes and dates @RooFlyer described in post #1.

I wasn’t particularly thinking about lounge access - just assumed a J ticket in WY metal would work - as it does with QR lounges (so long as it’s OW operated).

OT, but curious now what QR does if you’re booked in J on a QR ticketed codeshare eg DOH-CGK operated by Garuda?