A northern hemisphere summer beckons, and with that comes many travel decisions. Fly straight to Europe or split the journey up part-way? Fly Economy, Business or even Business Studio? Pay with cash or use points? When answering these questions, the common options will likely pop into mind. But for many, flying Oman Air and stopping in Muscat probably doesn’t dominate your thoughts. Here’s why these two options should.
Before I start, I would like to give a shout-out to both Qantas and Oman Air, who invited me as a guest on this fantastic five-day trip.
The journey from Australia begins with Qantas
Oman Air doesn’t fly from Australia directly. But it does fly to many neighbouring Asian destinations, including ports that Qantas or Jetstar fly to from major Australian cities. These include Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Phuket, Bangalore, and Delhi. From there, fly Oman Air via Muscat to places like London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan.
The great thing is that Qantas Frequent Flyer members can use their Qantas Points to snare a seat on Oman Air in Economy, Business, or Business Studio. And in case you’re wondering, Business Studio is Oman Air’s old First Class product, but with Business Class service and slightly-higher-than-Business pricing.
As such, another option is available to use your hard-earned points to travel the world and live your best life!
I transit in Bangkok, but there are many other options
My trip sees me first heading to Bangkok from Sydney on the Qantas wet-lease aircraft provided by Finnair. The eight-hour journey on Finnair’s ‘cocoon style’ Business Class seat flies by, and before long, I find myself at the transfer desk in Bangkok, obtaining my onward boarding pass to Muscat.
Just behind the transit desk is the dedicated Oman Air lounge. As a Business Studio guest, I have access to the lounge, along with Business guests and Sindbad Silver and Gold members (for international flights only).
With Oman Air’s entry into the oneworld alliance around mid-2025, Qantas Gold/oneworld Sapphire and above frequent flyers will also have access to the Oman Air lounge.
My flight on Oman Air to Muscat
After a relaxing shower in the lounge and a quick beverage, it is time to board our Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight to Muscat. This aircraft has three cabins: Economy, Business, and Business Studio. I am lucky to be sitting in the latter on this leg. As a former First Class product, Business Studio has plenty of room. It’s beautifully appointed and has a calming and distinguished gold, cream and brown palette.
Naturally, with this amount of seat pitch, the seat easily slides into a lie-flat bed, and even the tallest among us will fit comfortably without the footwell causing any obstacles to a comfortable night’s rest. And speaking of comfort, the pillow that Oman Air provides is by far and away the most comfortable pillow I have ever slept on. And I have taken hundreds (or thousands?) of international flights in the last few decades. I am out like a light from the moment my head hits the pillow. And in case I’m not conveying the level of comfort here, during the start of the landing procedure, I place my pillow behind my head and doze off again the second my head hits the pillow. This is unlike me, but I’m putting it down to the pillow.
Of course, there is more to this flight than the pillow. The food is fantastic, and the customer service is first-rate. Make sure to read my full review of my Oman Air Business Studio flight from Bangkok to Muscat if you’d like to read a more detailed review.
And did I mention the pillow? (That one’s for you Sarah!)
Majestic Muscat is a hidden gem
For some, Oman may be a stopover to Europe or elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. But it should be a destination in its own right. If you’re heading to Europe, Africa or the Middle East, set aside time for this wonderful country.
Leaving Muscat International Airport, my first impressions of this beautiful city are threefold. I am struck by how clean the city looks, how much wealth there appears to be, and how safe the streets seem. To put it in context, we arrive around 11:30 pm, and people are freely walking the streets—families, children, and women—no worries. And the city seems so busy, although landing on Oman’s National Day probably has a lot to do with it! Everything is adorned in red, white and green, the country’s national colours. It is an amazing sight as I head to my accommodation at the Mandarin Oriental.
Mandarin Oriental, Muscat
Opulence is the right word to use to describe this hotel. I arrive just after midnight, and I am exhausted, nearing the point of collapse as I enter my Deluxe Mountain View Room. But I quickly pep up as I take in its grandness. A long hallway leads to a large main area, with an entry on my right to the bathroom. My room has it all: a large queen-sized bed, ample space to move around, a large bathroom with a walk-in rain shower, and a very inviting bathtub. I am seriously impressed and look forward to a great night’s sleep.
Speaking of being impressed, breakfast is fantastic for many reasons. Firstly, the view. The outdoor breakfast area is right next to the swimming pool, which is just as inviting as the bathtub in my room. And then there is the breakfast itself. An à la carte menu is on offer, with traditional breakfast dishes such as eggs benedict. But I opt for the shakshuka eggs and I am not disappointed. I love this dish so much that I order the same thing the next day!
A self-serve buffet breakfast is also available, including cereals, breads, pastries, fruits, and hot options like bacon, sausages, and potatoes. You won’t be left wanting at this hotel.
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
If you want to experience Oman’s religious traditions, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque should be on your itinerary. Its architectural beauty is second to none. The Sultan of Oman opened the mosque in 2001 to honour his 30-year reign. It covers over 416,000 square metres in size and contains a central dome with a diameter of 50 metres and a height of 34 metres, making it one of the largest in the world. It also includes five minarets, with the main minaret towering at 90 metres.
The prayer halls are divided between females and males. I enter the female hall first and am amazed by how beautiful and spacious it is—well, so I think anyway. Interestingly, the prayer carpet used in this hall comes from none other than Scotland. Everyone’s first guess, I’m sure. It is also interesting to learn that the carpet has segments where females are to order themselves on the carpet before prayer, with a process that dictates lining up from centre outwards, going front to back.
I head to the next prayer hall, but not before passing some beautiful courtyards along the way. After thinking the female prayer hall could not be beaten, I enter the male prayer hall. My initial thought is, ‘Wow!’ The space, the opulence, the grandeur—it’s all there. An Italian-designed chandelier takes centre stage in the hall and sits 14 metres tall, making it the second-largest chandelier in the world. The Qaboos Grande Mosque is a must-visit.
Royal Opera House
From the Qaboos Grande Mosque, I make my way to the Royal Opera House. By this point of the trip, I start to become desensitised to beautiful buildings. There are so many of them around Muscat that it’s like a car alarm going off. Of course, I mean this as a compliment to the consistently stunning architecture that abounds in this city. And the Royal Opera House is no exception.
As I enter the building, I am greeted by a grand staircase adorned by balloons in the national colours. Possibly a remnant of Oman’s National Day the day prior. The Royal Opera House is Oman’s premier venue for arts and culture, and walking into the main auditorium, it’s not hard to see why. The auditorium is not only impressive in its stunning regal-like red and gold colour tones, but also one of the most technologically advanced auditoriums in the world. Daily tours take visitors around the Royal Opera House and showcase the mechanisms that can change the auditorium from concert to theatre mode. Well worth a visit if you’re in town.
Old Muscat
Old Muscat, otherwise known as the Old Quarter, was the old centre of power in Oman. It was the country’s capital until 1970 and is located on the Gulf of Oman coast. The area is known for several buildings, most famously the Al Jalai and Al Mirani forts.
When I arrive in Old Muscat, my first point of call is the Al Alam Palace. The palace is still used today to welcome foreign dignitaries and heads of state. One of the first things I notice about this palace is its, shall I say, exuberance. The building’s colour palette is mustard yellow and aqua, and its architecture is strikingly different from its neighbours. Some people love this building, while others hate it. I love it.
However, Old Muscat’s drawcard is its forts. These forts are incredible structures and an awesome sight to see. They highlight Oman’s centuries-old history, and as I gaze out at them, I imagine what this place would have looked like hundreds of years ago when these forts were built.
I end the day with a relaxing sunset cruise starting from the nearby Marina Banadr Al Rawdah. Cruising provides a great way to see Old Muscat and its surroundings from a different vantage point.
Nizwa Souq markets
The next day, it’s off to do some shopping at the Nizwa Souq markets. While I feel it is relatively busy on the day I visit, I’ve heard it can be much busier later in the week and on weekends. I hear that Friday mornings are very interesting, as the animal market is on that day. Animals are paraded around, and an auction-style bidding takes place. I would love to see that, but alas, it’s only Wednesday.
The souq offers a variety of products, including fresh produce and, of course, Oman’s famous dates. There are dates of every variety available. I’m not a big date eater, but I am pretty confident I ate more dates on this five-day trip than I had all my life! And that is no exaggeration. So if you love dates, you’ll love Oman, no doubt. However, other products, such as oils, souvenirs, traditional clothing, and confectionary goods, are abundant. For the shopaholic, try and squeeze this into your itinerary, especially for a Friday.
Jabreen Castle
Next up, Jabreen Castle. This castle, also known as Jabreen Fort, was built in 1670. It is known for being one of the Sultanate of Oman’s most spectacular forts. It also boasts being the oldest palace in the country and the only one open to visitors. Made out of sandstone, the structure is breathtaking and includes some unique architectural design, starting with the entry itself in the shape of a patterned arc.
The castle includes some interesting features, including multiple jails. I am not really inclined to slide my way through the jail entrance to experience what I’m sure is a space falling well below a luxury standard. But my travel colleague does, and it isn’t a smooth slide-in for him either.
The rooftop offers extraordinary panoramic views of the fort’s surroundings, including the open plains and small towns.
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
From Jabreen Castle, I make my way up the mountains to the scenic Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. When I say up in the mountains, I mean up in the mountains. The temperature decreases from around 35 degrees Celsius at the castle to around 14 degrees Celsius at the resort. Mind you, I arrive early in the evening, and the mercury is well on its way down by that time. By late morning the next day, the temperature is back up, and I enjoy a very relaxing swim in the resort’s infinity pool. To say that leaning on the edge of this pool and taking in the breathtaking beauty of the Al Jabal mountains should be a bucket list item is an understatement.
I stay in a Premier Canyon View Room and find it to be incredibly spacious, occupying 60 square metres. Large-spaced rooms seem to be a common theme in Oman, and it is definitely not anything I am complaining about. The room comes with luxurious amenities, including a bathrobe and bathtub to relax and unwind. Some rooms even include private plunge pools.
The resort is all about relaxing and taking in the natural beauty of Oman and the Al Jabal mountains. It is well worth the two-hour drive up from Muscat.
Fly Oman Air to Oman and beyond using Qantas Points
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can now redeem their Qantas Points for Classic Flight Reward redemptions on Oman Air. At the time of writing, this only includes Economy and Business Class. However, Business Studio redemptions will be available from early 2025.
Some example redemptions using Qantas Points include:
| Route | Economy | Business |
| Sydney – Bangkok (Qantas) | 25,200 Qantas Points | 68,400 Qantas Points |
| Sydney – Jakarta (Qantas) | 20,300 Qantas Points | 57,000 Qantas Points |
| Melbourne – Bangkok (Jetstar) | 21,500 Qantas Points | 51,300 Qantas Points |
| Bangkok – Muscat (Oman Air) | 24,500 Qantas Points | 61,200 Qantas Points |
| Jakarta – Muscat (Oman Air) | 30,200 Qantas Points | 75,000 Qantas Points |
| Muscat – London (Oman Air) | 30,200 Qantas Points | 75,000 Qantas Points |
| Muscat – Paris (Oman Air) | 24,500 Qantas Points | 61,200 Qantas Points |
| Muscat – Milan (Oman Air) | 24,500 Qantas Points | 61,200 Qantas Points |
| Muscat – Dubai (Oman Air) | 10,000 Qantas Points | 20,000 Qantas Points |
Taxes, fees and carrier charges may vary and are subject to change, please visit Qantas.com.
Just note that the prices are additive. So, if you want to fly from Sydney to Paris via Bangkok and Muscat with Qantas and Oman Air, the total points cost is 74,200 Qantas Points + taxes, fees, and carrier charges in Economy and 190,800 Qantas Points + taxes, fees, and carrier charges in Business.
Also read: How to access the reward seat calendar with Qantas Points
Summing up
It is fantastic that Qantas and Oman Air have launched this partnership in advance of Oman Air’s entry into the oneworld alliance in mid-2025. It provides Qantas members with not just another option to head to Europe, Africa or the Middle East using Qantas Points, but also another destination for them to try in its own right. And Qantas members won’t be disappointed with Oman. It is a spectacular country. The people are friendly, the place is safe and clean, and its natural beauty is astounding.
A tip for a New Year’s resolution? Add Oman to your travel plans for 2025.
All photography by Daniel Sciberras, who travelled as a guest of Qantas and Oman Air.
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