Enjoy a Royal service With Oman Air

Oman Air is the national airline of the Middle Eastern emirate of Oman, which is located on the north-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsular. Based at Muscat International Airport, the airline serves 35 international destinations and is expanding fast as it seeks to challenge competitors like Qatar Airways and Emirates. These destinations include both Manchester and London Heathrow, while you can use the airline to connect to hard to reach places like Tehran, Karachi or Zanzibar, so there may well be a flight for you.

The airline was founded relatively recently in 1993 from an older national company called Oman Aviation Services. Since then, it has built up a fleet of 50 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and has gone from dealing mainly with regional short-haul routes to being a real long-haul contender.

They have also been technological innovators, being the first airline in the world to offer in-flight WiFi and mobile phone connections, and they have been regularly rewarded with international prices, such as gold medals at the French Laurier d'Or du Voyage d'Affaires awards.

Flying with Oman Air

If you want to fly with Oman Air, you'll have a number of options to choose from when you book. Economy Class is the no-frills option and the cheapest. If you fly Economy, you'll enjoy in-flight meals and WiFi and mobile connections, be able to watch plenty of movies and TV shows and relax in 34-inch pitch seats.

Moving up a little, Business Class features more sophisticated Arabic dining, access to the airline's "wine cellar" and use of their Air Lounges in Bangkok and Muscat. The 82-inch pitch ensures a comfortable ride, while seats fold out to form 77-inch beds as well.

In First Class, passengers can travel in "mini suites", which feature special massage systems, widescreen monitors, space to hang coats and much more. Recline on an 82-inch bed or in your 85.5-inch pitch seat along with only six other First Class passengers.

Those who fly regularly with Oman Air can also join Sindbad, their frequent flier scheme. Featuring three tiers (Blue, Silver and Gold), Sindbad lets you build points, enjoy duty free discounts, access exclusive offers and use priority check-in services.

Practical Information

Check-in: Oman Air offers two check-in options. The easiest is to check in via www.omanair.com, which you can do between 24 hours and 90 minutes before departure. If not, you can turn up at the airport and check-in there. The company advises that you arrive around three hours before your plane leaves and counters close 60 minutes before departure.

Oman Air operates the following general baggage guidelines:

• Economy travellers can check in two pieces of baggage weighing 30 kg in total.

• Business and First Class travellers can check in a 30 kg piece of baggage, plus an additional piece weighing 20 kg.

• Checked baggage must measure less that 158 x 158 cm.

• Travellers with Sindbad cards who are travelling Economy can also check in 20 kg of extra baggage.

• Economy travellers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage weighing no more than 7 kg.

• First Class and Business travellers can take two 7 kg pieces of carry-on baggage.