Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has been named ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’ in the prestigious Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012. 

The Business Destinations Travel Awards are voted for by readers of Business Destinations magazine, which is published in the UK every other month.

It has a worldwide readership of more than 100,000 and is distributed in premium aircraft cabins and airport lounges, to travel professionals and sold through retail outlets.

Wayne Pearce, CEO, Oman Air, said: “The award follows on from last year’s win by Oman Air of the ‘Best Luxury Airline, Middle East’ category, so we are extremely pleased that the quality of our premium service has been recognised for the second year running.”

The recognition follows the introduction over the last two years of a brand new fleet of Airbus A330s to the airline’s long haul routes, launch of Embraer 175s on short haul routes, the pioneering of onboard mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity and unveiling of new business and first class lounges at Muscat International Airport.

A state-of-the-art new business class lounge was also opened in Bangkok.

Oman Air’s business class provides a luxurious travel experience for every passenger, with seats in a 1-2-1 configuration which offers every passenger direct aisle access, convert to an 82-inch long, fully lie-flat bed at the touch of a button.

Each seat also has a 17-inch video screen offering the latest in-flight entertainment packages with a selection of movies, music, games and live satellite TV, as well as USB ports and iPod sockets which allow passengers to personalise their entertainment choices.

The airline also provides award-winning amenity kits, extensive wine lists, a la carte menus, web check-in, generous luggage allowances, first and business class limousine services, fast-track departures and some of the finest lounges in the world.

Over the last two years, Oman Air has won various awards including ‘Best Airline in the World’ at France’s leading travel show IFTM Top Resa in September 2011; ‘Best Business Class Airline Seat in the World’ and ‘Service Excellence, Middle East’ at the World Airline Awards 2011; ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ at Malaysia’s KLIA Awards 2011 and ‘Best In-flight Connectivity and Communications’ at the Apex Passenger Choice Awards 2011.

In addition, in April 2011, Oman Air was ranked ‘Official 4 Star Airline’ in Skytrax Airline Quality Audit.

“Oman Air’s aim is to continue to ensure an outstanding travel experience for all our passengers and, as this award again confirms, our business class cabins offer the ultimate in comfort, space and service,” Pearce concluded. – TradeArabia News Service