Oman Air has been named as a runner-up in the Most Improved Airline category of the 2010 World Airline Awards. The airline, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, was also commended on its product transformation.
This year's World Airline Awards were based on the views of 17.9 million air travellers, who were surveyed over a period of 10 months between July 2009 and April 2010. Over 200 airlines were considered under 11 headings and Oman Air took third place in its category.
The naming of Oman Air within the Most Improved Airline category follows the airline's introduction, starting from October 2009, of new Airbus A330 aircraft, new interiors, new seating – including extra-long lie-flat beds in First and Business Class, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, superior catering and crew services, and the world's first in-flight combined mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity. Oman Air has also introduced a wide range of new routes from Muscat to destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Welcoming the World Airline Awards' naming of Oman Air, Philippe Georgiou, Chief Officer Corporate Affairs at the airline, said:
"Oman Air's transformation from regional carrier to luxury international airline has been both rapid and recent. We took delivery of our first new A330 aircraft in October of last year and have since continued to introduce new products and services which offer space, comfort, convenience and value.
"It is particularly pleasing, therefore, that Oman Air has, in just seven months of the ten-month survey period, impressed so many people and been commended by the 2010 World Airline Awards. We are delighted and look forward to next year's World Airline Awards, when customers will have had the opportunity to experience Oman Air's outstanding service over a longer period of time."
Since receiving its first A330, Oman Air has introduced a further two A330-300 aircraft and two A330-200s. Two more will be delivered by 2011. New services from Muscat to Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Male, Colombo, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaima, Kuala Lumpur, Islamabad and Lahore have been introduced, with further new destinations to be announced shortly.
Onboard, new first class cabins offer just six seats, each with an 82-inch long lie flat bed, a built-in massage system and direct aisle access. Business class seats offer a 78-inch long lie-flat bed, direct aisle access and a buddy seat, which allows passengers to dine with a companion. Economy class seats offer a 34-inch pitch, with the seat's slim-line design ensuring even more legroom. Adjustable head and leg rests ensure a comfortable journey, even on long-haul flights. A state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system, which includes audio video on demand and live satellite TV, is offered throughout the aircraft, along with the world's first combined mobile phone and Wi-Fi connectivity package. A la carte dining is available in first and business classes and economy class menus have been redesigned and expanded.
Philippe Georgiou concludes:
"The World Airline Awards are highly coveted because they are voted for by the true experts in global travel - customers themselves. Everything we are achieving at Oman Air is focused on ensuring that customers enjoy the best possible experience aboard our aircraft and it is enormously encouraging to receive confirmation through the 2010 World Airline Awards that travellers welcome the changes we are making."
