Qatar Airways operated by Oman Air Business Class Review
By Flight Expert Mr Plane Guy
Flight Info
QR 1499 from DAR to DOH
Operating as Oman Air 1499
A4O-DH Airbus A330-343
Departure 06-NOV-2024 11:25Â
(20 minutes early)
Arrival 06-NOV-202416:50Â
(34 minutes early)
Flight time: 5 Hours 14 minutes
Â
credit to Jet_photos
A Qatar Airways/Oman Air Hybrid Business Class Review: A Unique Experience on the A330
Recently, I had a business class flight that could only be described as a unique blend. Although I booked through Qatar Airways, this journey was actually operated on an Oman Air A330, with Qatar Airways crew and service. A hybrid flight like this comes with its share of surprises—some delightful and others less so. Here’s my experience!
Check-In and Lounge Experience
Check-in was smooth, and the lounge experience was excellent—a great start! Qatar Airways’ attention to detail was evident, with helpful staff members greeting passengers and even escorting me personally to the lounge. The spacious lounge featured high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of charging stations, and a superb selection of refreshments. The staff in the lounge was engaging, making me feel truly valued as a passenger.
You can actually use this lounge by having a Priority Pass, it was such a great lounge! Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport VIP lounge access program, with over 1,400+ lounges in over 600 cities across 148 countries!
Exclusive Offer: I was kindly given a 30% off normal price link for a Priority Pass! Take a look her
Boarding and First Impressions
Once boarding commenced, I could tell this was a different kind of Qatar Airways flight. The aircraft was an Oman Air A330, and it became clear this wasn’t a standard Qatar Airways setup. Surprisingly, though, the business class seat was impressive—more spacious and comfortable than Qatar’s 787 seats. While it didn’t have the privacy door of the Qsuite, the seating offered a good level of privacy and comfort.
Although it was technically a Qatar Airways service, I noticed that there hadn’t been much communication about the fact that this would be a hybrid flight experience. Still, once on board, the Qatari crew made the transition seamless, and they maintained their usual high standard of service.
Seat and Cabin Features
The Oman Air A330 seat design was impressive, with a full recline into a lie-flat bed and substantial leg support. The staggered layout provided more personal space than I was used to on Qatar’s 787s. Although it didn't reach the level of privacy offered by a Qsuite, the seat felt roomy and had excellent storage options with side shelves for personal items.
The seat controls took a little adjusting, as each setting seemed to impact multiple aspects of the seat. However, once I found my perfect position, the seat was great for working, relaxing, and eventually sleeping.
Qatar Airways’ Service and Dining
Despite being on an Oman Air aircraft, the Qatar Airways crew upheld their reputation for world-class service. The dining experience began with a welcome glass of champagne, and the presentation of dishes was thoughtfully done. The meal options were diverse, with both international and Middle Eastern flavors.
For my main course, I enjoyed
I decided to skip a second meal/snack as a 5 hour flight one meal was sufficient. No snack bowl.
by a range of side options. The wine list was curated with Qatar’s usual touch, featuring quality selections for both red and white wines, making the dining experience feel distinctly Qatar Airways. The amenity kit provided was a sleek Diptyque collection, which added a touch of luxury to the overall experience.
In-Flight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
Oman Air’s entertainment system on this A330 was straightforward, with a solid range of movies and TV shows, including recent releases. Although the screen was set a bit farther from the seat, the clarity was impressive, and the provided noise-canceling headphones worked decently, though I ended up using my own for better sound quality. Unfortunately Wi-Fi was not available on this aircraft, not ideal for a long-haul flight.
Landing into DOHA Hamad Airport
The Business class experience didn't stop after getting off the Oman Air A330, I was wisked off to the arrivals hall in a business class only transfer coach. They also have a seperate immigration and customs hall which was quite impressive with luxury seating areas, shower facilities and drinks available. I had a quick coffee before presenting my passport.
Final Thoughts: A Mixed Experience
This Qatar Airways/Oman Air hybrid flight had some high points and a few minor drawbacks. The seat was better than I expected and certainly more comfortable than the standard Qatar Airways 787 configuration, albeit lacking the privacy of a Qsuite. The communication about the hybrid nature of this flight could have been clearer, but Qatar’s crew handled the situation smoothly.
In the end, it was an unexpectedly enjoyable journey. For those who may encounter a similar arrangement, I’d say expect a unique experience that offers the best of both airlines in one flight—excellent service from Qatar Airways and a well-designed seat from Oman Air. Just keep an eye out for potential differences if you’re hoping for the full Qsuite experience!
Hello I’m Paul a Travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you enjoyed this Qatar Airways operated by Oman Air Business Class Review do let me know in the comments........
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