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Introduction – My trip to Oman
Review: Oman Air Business Class from London (LHR) to Muscat (MCT)
Review: Grand Hyatt Muscat (2022)
Review: The stunning Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman (2022)
Review : Oman Air First Class Lounge, Muscat International Airport
Review *Coming Soon*: Oman Air First Class from Muscat (MCT) to London (LHR)
Back in April 2022, I had the good fortune of planning my first trip to Oman. I had created for myself a 6 day ‘Intro to Oman’ package which included flights on Oman Air’s Business Class (LHR-MCT), and First Class (MCT-LHR) cabins. Since my return leg was starting out of Muscat, I was looking forward to a true First Class experience, including several hours in Oman Air First Class Lounge.
Oman Air First Class Lounge, MCT
The First Class lounge in Muscat International (MCT) airport is located in Terminal 1, just above the main Duty Free concourse. After clearing the dedicated First Class check-in and security area, I made my way to the lounge around 9:00am, a full 5 hours before my London bound flight.
The main entrance of the lounge was just to the right of the escalators, and oozes opulence. Dark brown wooden panels with ornate gold doors gave it a royal aesthetic. It’s hard not to be impressed by the overall aesthetics of the lounge, which captures the Omani heritage and landscape with its choice of design and artwork.
Entrance – Oman Air First & Business Lounge
The check-in desk of the lounge welcomes both – First class and Business class passengers. Upon presenting my boarding pass, the crew jumped into action and welcomed me to the lounge. One of the desk agents escorted me to a second set of ornate doors which led to the First Class lounge. There I was met Manel who showed me around the lounge and was extremely keen to personalize my lounge experience as we chatted our way into the lounge and through the facilities. She informed me that I would have the entire lounge to myself for the next 3-4 hours as no other passenger was slated to check into the First Class lounge.
Lounge foyer with WY Boeing 787 model
Check-in desk
Dedicated Entrance – Oman Air First Class Lounge
Orante First Class seating area
Main seating area
Manel showed me the various seating spaces in the lounge, and invited me to sit by the lounge bar which offered great views of the terrace, and plenty of natural light.
First Class Bar – overlooking the terrace
First Class – Family Seating area
Once I settled into my chosen seats, I was presented with hot towel, a welcome drink, and snacks. The lime/ginger drink was refreshing, while the hot towel and selection of snacks (dates, walnuts, mixed nut, and dried apricots) were just right to get me settled in.
Welcome Drink, hot towel and snacks
Since I was visiting the lounge during Ramadan, no alcohol was being served. The bar shelves wore a desolate look, but the lounge staff more than made up for it through their attentive and personalized service. The list of non-alcoholic beverages on offer were extensive to make up for the missing single malts and Paradis Hennessy.
First Class Bar – Ramadan version
Shortly after I had finished my first round of ‘mock-tail’, Chef Dashraj came by to present the menu and gauge my interest in breakfast. I asked Dashraj to surprise me with his preferred breakfast, since I had no allergies or food restrictions. Chef gleefully accepted my request, and few minutes later returned with a beautifully presented plate of omelette (with onions, tomatoes, cheese, and coriander), scrambled egg on savoury biscuit, veg croquette, chicken sausages, with grilled tomatoes and purple endive. Wow! And each item on the plate was absolutely delicious! I would have never opted for two egg items, but was glad that I was able to taste both. So much good food!
Breakfast – Chef’s Special
After my breakfast I requested the staff to prepare a shower room for my use, which they were most happy to show and setup. The shower room was just as bling’d up as the lounge was. The walls embellished with gold tiles, fancy light fixtures, and luxurious Amouage amenities.
Lounge washroom
Oman Air First Class Lounge – Shower Room
Shower Room amenities
After the most luxurious bath in an airport lounge, the staff showed me to the First Class Day room, which was underwhelming – a constrained room devoid of natural light, with just a lounge chair and a tv. Manel confirmed that the Business Class day rooms were much bigger and better suited to sleep since they were equipped with lie-flat seats.
Oman Air First Class – Day Room
After a tour of the Business Class lounge – which included expansive seating areas, prayer room, family rooms, and tons of buffet options – I opted to get some work done for the next couple of hours. The wifi in the lounge was good for emails, and watching streamed content. Chef Dhanraj came by again, this time to present me with the all day dining menu. Unfortunately, I was still pretty full from my large breakfast and not as keen to eat lunch. But the Chef twisted my rubber arm and we settled on a “truncated Arabic Mezze” – lamb kibbeh, with Hummus, Babaganoush, and Labneh.
Oman Air First Class Lounge – All Day Menu
Arabic Mezze platter
The First and Business Class lounge is also home to a full Spa, by Shangri-la, and First Class passengers have access to a 30 minute treatment of their choice. I had already booked myself a 60 minute body massage, for an hour before boarding time. And like clockwork, the lounge staff came by to bring me over to the spa for the appointment. The spa is located just above the First/Business class lounge and has direct access from the business class lounge. Since the 30 minutes were complimentary, I was only charged for a 30 minute massage service.
Shangri-la Spa, in MCT
Spa waiting area
Lounge Spa – Massage Room
The spa treatment was the best way to end my time in the lounge, rejuvenated for the epic 8-hour journey in Oman Air First Class. I made my way back into the First Class lounge to pick up my baggage and bid farewell to the fantastic Oman Air team (Manel, Chef Dhanraj, and Abdul-Majed) that had taken care of me for more than 5 hours. And as a parting gift, Manel walked me to the doors and said “Enjoy the First Class service today, you will have the cabin to yourself” 🙂
