Oman Air Business Studio

[andye]

This is not really a TR, more a reflection on the Oman Air Business Studio.

I like trying different products and amidst the QF DSC (three ago), I found a decent fare to Europe for a conference incorporating QF and WY

I booked SYD-BKK-MCT-LHR/FRA-MCT-MNL-BNE via the WY site for just over half the asking price for an all QF J option at the time.

The WY BKK-MCT-LHR legs were in Business Studio (for about $500 extra) which meant the SYD-BKK QF leg (QF flight number not codeshare) was classed as Business Flex. The WY Studio is not offered ex-FRA or MNL so the MNL-BNE leg was QF Discount Business.

 

[andye]

The Iran disriptions were a later worry but did note that Oman is south of the Straits, WY kept flying even during the missile phase and Oman was never designated "do not travel"

However, it wasnt a surprise to receive an email a month out saying I'd been downgraded to standard business, due to aircraft change.

Spoke to Oman rep on phone who said Id need to go the WY desk in MCT mid-trip to arrange the refund in fare difference

 

[andye]

A week out from travel, I was a bit miffed to receive a generic WY email offering a bid for upgrade to Studio for MCT-LHR.

Tried emailing and calling both Omani and Australian WY offices to right their wrong.

On the last couple of contacts, I was told that I should be reinstated but I never received anything to confirm

 

[andye]

At SYD I was given WY boarding passes for ordinary J along with my QF one. Suggested lounge was NZ which was fine for the intended gate until it changed to the QF end after a delay.

SYD-BKK was a good QF experience and we made up some time.

On landing in BKK, I schlepped up to the WY transfer desk who were unable to help. That diversion meant I missed getting into the WY lounge which I remember as being small but classy a few years back (during a long-layover solo PP lounge crawl).

 

[andye]

The standard business seat was pretty decent though short on storage. The IFE controls were pretty fiddly and its a long stretch to the touch screen.

 

[andye]

Pre-flight drink was a lime juice drink with a single but high-qiality date. Champagne was given when asked for too.

Food was pretty decent and service reponsive and professional

 

[andye]

When I arrived in MCT (22:30 local time) the WY service desk was unmanned. The transfer desk people couldnt get their heads around what I was looking for but were sure someone would come back in 10 minutes.
10 turned into 40 but I was determined to wait it our, even just to get my refund.
Eventually someone did arrive. It took quite a few phone calls, apparently to calculate the fare difference, but I eventually had my Studio boarding pass (my first saying F)

 

[andye]

The MCT WY lounge probably sits in the average range for oneworld hubs but was decent enough. There is sit down dining (no-one using) and a reasonable bar and buffet. Some of the plugs werent working.

 

[andye]

The Business Studio seat is a step up from standard J. Wider with a bigger footwell amd screen but the stand-out feature was the pretty door (which has a jacket hamger inside)..
There wasnt much more storage howver and the IFE comtrols just as fiddly.

 

[andye]

As far as I could tell l, there was no difference in menu, drinks or service from standard

So im summary, a better seat but I wouldnt call it "First-adjacent". It was a deductible work-trip so I thought reasonable for the extra cost buy wpuld be an individual decision.