Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has been awarded ‘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. The magazine has a worldwide readership of more than 100,000 and is distributed in premium aircraft cabins and airport lounges, to travel professionals and is sold through retail outlets.

Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s CEO, says: “We are delighted that Oman Air has been named as ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’ in the Business Destinations Travel Awards. This 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. My thanks go to Business Destinations’ readers and to all our staff, throughout Oman Air, who have played a vital role in transforming the airline into the luxury carrier it is today, and ensuring the success of our outstanding and internationallyrecognised business class offering.”

The award follows the introduction over the last two years of a brand new fleet of Airbus A330s to the airline’s long haul routes, the launch from March 2011 of Embraer 175s on short haul routes, the pioneering of onboard mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity and the unveiling of superb new business class 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, rivalling many other airlines’ first class offering. With seats in a 1 - 2 - 1 configuration which offers every passenger direct aisle access, they 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 great 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. Awardwinning amenity kits, extensive wine lists and delicious a la carte menus, served by highly-trained crew attired in Balenciaga-designed uniforms, add that extra touch of refinement.

Web check-in, generous luggage allowances, first and business class limousine services, fast-track departures and some of the finest lounges in the world ensure that the Oman Air experience reaches the same heights on the ground as in the air.

Over the last two years, Oman Air has won an average of one international award per month, 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.

Wayne Pearce concludes: “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. Whatever your destination, Oman Air’s competitive rates ensure that Business Class style and luxury are surprisingly affordable.”