OMAN AIR: Ditches First Class for ‘Business Studio’

With the re-organisation going on at Oman Air and the dropping of the A330 aircraft, the airline now only has two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with First Class.

As of 9 September 2024, Oman Air will no longer be offering First Class but will rebrand the cabin as ‘Business Studio’ – a business ‘plus’ product.

‘The traditional First Class experience has seen diminished demand, and after careful analysis and benchmarking against industry standards, we decided to retire the product. This decision allows us to focus on delivering an exceptional Business Class experience that better meets modern traveller expectations and is more closely aligned with the demographics targeted by the national tourism objectives.

Con Korfiatis, Oman Air CEO

Which routes?

Traditionally, the 787-9s have serviced the Muscat to London, and Muacat to Bangkok routes, so expect to see them remain on these routes, but with the Business Studio option rather than a full First Class service. I travelled on one of these aircraft earlier this month (August 2024) between Muscat and Bangkok. That’s where that sneaky look into the First Class cabin above comes from. I’ll be rolling out a trip report of those flights over the next few weeks.

The seat and the service

We don’t know exactly how the service will differ from standard Business Class yet. I suspect that it will be the same soft product but delivered in the wider and larger seats of the former First Class cabin that has higher walls plus doors and therefore more privacy.

Oman Air Business Class is arranged 2-2-2 with a total of 24 seats (73″ pitch and 20″ width) on the Boeing 787-9s, whereas the current First Class is configured 1-2-1 over two rows totalling 8 seats with an 80″ pitch and 30-inch width.

I expect that this former first cabin will stay the same for the new Business Studio.

This is a good idea

With only two aircraft sporting a ‘First Class’ cabin, it is uneconomic to have a whole different service for just a total of 16 passengers. Maintaining the cabins, but selling them as Business Studio still allows Oman to have a premium product available, and avoids those business guidelines that prevent some corporate travellers from booking a First Class fare.

First Class Lounge in Muscat

I would expect this lounge to be retired, or more probably just incorporated into the regular Business lounge at Muscat Airport.

2PAXfly Takeout

Oman Air will effectively eliminate its First Class offering, turning it into an upgraded business class titled ‘Business Studio’.

I expect that passengers in those cabins will experience business class service, but will enjoy the larger real estate of a longer and wider seat, with higher walls and doors to give a greater sense of privacy.

This follows the example of other Airlines like Malaysian which has also dropped First Class, and now offers a ‘Business Suite’ product as well.