The Best Business Class Seat? Oman Air's Apex Suite in Disguise....

[@matthewgordon-banks7553]

Everyone else has made the best points, but apart from saying 'great video', I'd say: What makes Matt's Planet truly 'extra terrestrial' are the 'stories'. It comes with long experience and is much appreciated.

[@s550days]

And the ‘cheers’ shots!!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Matthew - the advantage of being older is that I have had some experience stick to me!!!!

[@MandoMonge]

Those flights are operated by qatar airways crew who have been assigned to that fleet for 6 months because they need to follow Omani safety and first aid procedures. I used to be assigned to it and it’s basically a QR flight scheduled by WY with QR crew and services. Honestly, I enjoyed my time there and would love to do it again

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I think someone described it as a "damp" lease - not quite wet and not quite dry! Which I thought was a good way of describing it! Those planes only go to a limited number of places, but you were happy to work them with little variety of destination rather than being in the main pool and potentially going anywhere?

[@jimhankinson4428]

I transited through Amman a couple of years ago, during the day, and I really liked that lounge, and although there were more people in it than when you were there it wasn't overcrowded. More recently I flew Oman Air from Delhi to Muscat in business on one of those A330s and thought the product - hard and soft - was exceptional. I'm hoping to fly their 1st class next year.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Jim. Looking to be on Oman air proper later this year which I'm looking forward to sharing

[@divyamoditongya]

You're one of my favourite aviation youtubers because you respond to every single comment. Keep up the awesome work!🎉🎉🎉

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - it would be quite funny for this to be the first comment I don't reply to but I just can't do it!!!!

[@IndochineUK]

Qatar are definitely the world leaders in extra-cabin passenger experience. I await the airline battle (and future MTV series) of “Pimp My Cobus 3000”.

[@MattsPlanet]

I was watching something yesterday about an airport and I saw a bus with Cobus 2500 on it!!!! Other Cobuses are available!

[@GG-hi5if]

This apex layout is the same for Korean Air’s “prestige” (business) class on its 777s

[@MattsPlanet]

Which I am now really keen to experience!!!

[@GG-hi5if]

@@MattsPlanet and Korean service is amazing, the food is good if you enjoy bibimbap! The prices KAL charge out of Europe are insane though… I cannot believe competition authorities have approved (*except the USA) the Asiana/KAL merger…

[@charlesontravels]

I’ll definitely be very much looking forward to what I assume is a Finnair video coming soon?! It’s the most comfortable plane seat I’ve had, and the food was fantastic. I’m definitely looking to see how I can use Finnair again soon for upcoming trips!

[@MattsPlanet]

You're very very warm! Hot indeed.... I wonder if every video we release can be about the same seat for the next year... Don't really want to fly on lesser seats again!

[@charlesontravels]

@@MattsPlanet I’m sure we could think of a few reasons to justify at least another video or two about it that would still be entertaining to watch!

[@immikhanUK]

I'll be very glad to see you do your flight review from Helsinki, as that airline does a very respectable pricing for Helsinki to Singapore for 125K Avios and £79 tax for a Business class return. One to do at some point for me, I hope.

[@MattsPlanet]

That's a good price for such a long flight - and it is a long flight as Finland is so close to Russia and so needs to go the long way round to get there!!!!

[@markuskuhl1376]

Matt really likes his Cognac. Good man!

[@MattsPlanet]

Wait until you see what I got on Emirates!

[@markuskuhl1376]

@@MattsPlanet Bloody hell, you were having a shower with champaign...

[@cardiffst]

We’re all here for the “Cheers!” clips, Matt. Don’t ever leave them out 🥃

[@MattsPlanet]

Understood!!!!

[@jans.4309]

I have been in this Lounge in Amman also cause nearly every airline sends its status pax there (Austrian too). It was during the afternoon. Lounge was not overcrowded but it was difficult to get a free table at the buffet area. Pizza station and pasta station was open. Only the restrooms have been quite small for such a huge lounge.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - its a nice lounge and I'd love to go back when it was actually all open!

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

Nice review, flying JAL Sydney- Tokyo-London tomorrow and have a window Apex seat on both legs, very much looking forward to that.

[@MattsPlanet]

Fantastic! 2 nice long legs too...

[@rod_at_adelaide5766]

@@MattsPlanet yeah should be great 😄

[@richardstreet7518]

Only subs i have had are all white anonymous A320s with East European crew or city jet subbing for SAS using CRJ900s 😅 glad it worked out Mat.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

I've just had notification from Tui for my first: Ascend Airways - a British airline that I had never heard of before.

[@MattsPlanet]

This was certainly win-win on the substitution front!

[@richardstreet7518]

@@well-blazeredman6187 737 800 and 737 max

[@gilesrdavies]

Nice video, Matt! I had the pleasure of flying London-Bahrain-Manila return with Gulf Air in the Apex Suite 3 weeks ago. It definitely is an amazing business class seat! 💺 The window seats were super private, and even though I am "Big Boned" 😂 had no issues maneuvering into the seat and through the gap. Gulf Air are pretty decent offering reasonable meals, PJs on overnight flights and a good lounge experience. However they are not as polished as the other polished as the other Middle East airlines and the crew experience can vary.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks. Gulf Air has a good reputation and occasionally really good pricing too.... A shame they're not in an alliance as I'm trying to focus on them for the channel....

[@gilesrdavies]

@@MattsPlanet Yes you are correct, Gulf Air have some amazing prices from London to Asia, but their network is some what limited. I paid £1600 LHR-BAH-MNL, the connection times were not great, but when you are saving over £900 on the next cheapest ticket, you can make some sacrifices. Bahrain's new terminal is lovely too. My only critism is they are not as polished as some of the other ME airlines, but I did not have any bad experiences.

[@juakkers1]

Another great review Matt thank you. Am very excited to hear that you really liked the Finnair seat as I’m flying on that HEL - BKK in July. Was wondering if it would “work” but you obviously think so which is reassuring.

[@MattsPlanet]

I'll not spoil my upcoming video but the seat takes an hour or two to get used to, but when you work out what works for you its really good!

[@steve-marsh]

Cool vid! And looking forward to a business class seat that doesn’t recline perhaps?…

[@MattsPlanet]

Spot on Steve... Its so hard to describe - you can recline but the seat doesn't!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

100% agree Matt, this is an excellent seat, but also that the Finny AirLounge seat is the best biz seat I've flown too!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - we are in violent agreement!

[@michaelb1716]

The colour of the sky and the water in the backdrop of your Hong Kong intro looked spectacular!

[@MattsPlanet]

It was a magical day to be in Hong Kong, that's for sure!!!

[@Jacob-mv2jh]

Brilliant video as usual Matt! Very excited for some new airlines to come to the channel...

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Its interesting - lesser known airlines are fun videos to make but never do so well in the channel. Yet another video about BA does really well! I guess its a question of striking a balance!

[@tonyracks2956]

thanks matt for another great video and the way you explain everything as you make it all so simple

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonyracks2956]

@@MattsPlanet i watch and watched ALL your videos you knock all the others into a cocked hat mate

[@VisualApproach]

I asked the question on my A330 flight with this "hybrid" arrangement last year - so unless anything has changed: it's a damp lease. The pilots are Oman Air staff. The cabin crew are Qatar Airways staff. The cabin crew are seconded onto the Oman Air A330s and don't fly on QR operated aircraft during that time. They follow Oman Air procedures - you will notice some differences in annoucements - the pilots don't follow the exact (tedious/corporate) script you get from QR pilots. Their routes are/were to Amman, Colombo and I'm sure somewhere else but I forgot. Once they complete their "fleet" secondment they go through training to get them back onto QR spec. P.S I've viewed to try never to return to that Amman lounge. They charge their own RJ business class pax for showers!

[@MattsPlanet]

Fascinating - "damp" lease is a brilliant phrase. It didn't feel wet or dry when I was on it so damp is probably about right! But it seems to work! Was looking at Oman air routes last night as I am really keen to see how they operate those seats

[@HowardBobson]

I took this same flight back in October right after the conflict broke out. I remember that long walkway to the plane! I was in economy though and I just remember there were many church groups on the plane either wrapping up their holy land tours or getting out early. I imagine all that business has dried up.

[@MattsPlanet]

Not sure how easy it is to cross from Israel to Jordan these days... It was never easy but at least it was possible!

[@bummy5106]

I randomly found your channel by accident once, and have never looked back. Thanks for the awesome videos, Matt! 😊

[@MattsPlanet]

You are very welcome!

[@olly7673]

Thank you Matt and I do look forward to hearing how this flight cost you about £80 and how you sorted out the multi partner trip in its totality.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks. I'm in a quandary about talking about this trip - the multi-partner award can be spectacularly good - if you can get it to work.... Too good in fact... And I'm worried that talking about it might cause BA to look at it a little closer, which could be bad news....

[@olly7673]

@@MattsPlanet Understood Matt.

[@paulineparsons9399]

Love h.k...best place ever..thankyou for making it look good despite the weather 🙂

[@MattsPlanet]

I did my best but the elements weren't helping!

[@jackculpan]

Couldn't agree more about the seat found in and out of Helsinki!

[@MattsPlanet]

Its a real gem isn't it??? Video coming in a few weeks....

[@jackculpan]

@@MattsPlanet I've only experienced it from LHR - HEL so far but was very happy with it. BKK - HEL coming up very soon and can't wait!

[@nickflintoff8077]

I do like these Apex seats. Flew LAX-NRT on JAL in window and was a very pleasant trip, although I can see how some may find it a little claustrophobic - slight coffin vibe. Not for everyone but I would happily fly it again.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - that's a nice long flight to get the best out of the experience too. There's always a sacrifice in a business seat - in this case the slight sensation of being in a coffin!

[@michaelj3282]

Great vid Matt, I live in Dubai and go out of my way to fly Oman Air as opposed to EK, it's a better product, yes it takes a bit longer abut hey, that isn't a problem for me. It would be sad if they don't join OneWorld (along with Qatar), that would make me fly the even more as opposed to money grabbing Emirates who still sit alone with Skywards (rip off). Get yourself to Khasab in Northern Oman, you land across fjords and mountains and can see Iran, I'm amazed that not one reviewer has flown this route from Muscat. (Hint hint)!

[@MattsPlanet]

Very interesting... I loved Muscat when I was there for 3 days 20 years ago and I know Salalah is highly rated but I'll put Khasab on the radar too.... Thanks!

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@MattsPlanet]

You're welcome

[@divyamoditongya]

Can you please do more videos on Sky Team because you only focus on OneWorld and Star Alliance

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I am planning to a little later in the year! Thanks for the nudge - good to know the demand for that content is out there!

[@rtb5365]

Good video? Check. Informative? Check. Interesting? Check. Fun? Check. But really, for the sake of your dear viewers, please make the 'sacrifice' and continue the 'cheers' shots into perpetuity. Because, you know thats why we're all here. :) Regarding the Apex seats and Finnair et al. - cost aside, I am wondering if it would be possible to get around the world in only Apex seats? Something like LHR-HEL-SIN-SYD-HND-HEL-LHR? Looking forward to the Finnair post.

[@MattsPlanet]

There may be a triple cheers in the next video.... Finnair's seat isn't an Apex - its unique to them (for now at least). You could certainly get from London to Korea / Japan and on to New York on Apex but that last little bit isn't serviced by an airline with that seat

[@adamingleton8529]

Would love to try out this seat

[@MattsPlanet]

Its hard to find but it is really good when you do!

[@JettTyler17]

Another nice flight review Matt, I'm interested to see how things go with Oman Air & OneWorld- they might even join as a OneWorld Connect member like Fiji Airways!

[@MattsPlanet]

Which would still be a win for those with avios.... Fiji Air is another airline on my to-do list!

[@charliebrown5]

Thank You ✈️

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@georginacadbury2217]

Another great video thanks!!!!!!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@gregepps4710]

I like the lounge in Amman. Wines served were great, all the more special because I was heading to Jeddah and a month of fruit juice to look forward to

[@MattsPlanet]

A month!!! An amazing experience no doubt but that's a long time on the tea!

[@dospalmascb]

Hello Hong Kong! Still looks pretty warm in HK despite the rain. Thanks for another great Video! Just an observation, you would get more than funny looks if you tried to use TLV as a transit point lol Security would likely have the rubber gloves out LOL

[@MattsPlanet]

It was warm - and very, very wet! Transiting TLV on ElAl is probably not too unusual - transiting airlines might be entertaining for sure!

[@ianworthington2324]

Only the very slightest bit apropos, but I had my first ying-yang seat recently. Deliberately chose a rear-facing window just to see what I thought of that and had zero issues. And, like you here, loved the privacy achieved by the narrow access passageway. My neighbour complained several times about their forward-facing aisle seat (for which they claimed to have paid an astonishing $8000) though they refused to swap when I took pity on them, even doing my best to ignore their expressed political viewpoints.

[@MattsPlanet]

You only know you're flying backwards for the first and last minutes of the flight and the privacy can be exceptional!

[@markwaite5265]

Great video Matt, not least highlighting this very strange hybrid product - another consequence of QR’s ongoing fleet issues which has seen the likes of Finnair picking up the HEL-DOH routes on behalf of QR?? Which brings me nicely to the “to be revealed best business class seat in the sky” and my assumption as to the carrier … so looking forward to this review, not least because I think this is a “marmite product” - which makes me a jam eater!!

[@MattsPlanet]

You're on the right lines.... A few weeks before this review will be along but I liked it! And I like marmite too!

[@markwaite5265]

@@MattsPlanet if it is *that seat* there are two things I looking forward to hearing in the review: sustaining a prolonged working position; coping with that retracting hip-belt when trying to sleep.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Good video. Oman Air: one I want to try but getting around Oman, without resorting to a hire-car, isn't easy. Hong Kong: I'll avoid it. I visited it shortly after the handover, while it was still fantastic. Qatar: 7th out of 8 on the spreadsheet, wrestling with BA in the relegation zone. Nice jacket-tailoring though. Credit for that.

[@MattsPlanet]

Great comment! Hong Kong certainly isn't the same.... And Muscat really is spread out!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I was thinking "that's not Amman!"too much water and rain .But Hong Kong has plenty of mountains like Amman only you can't see them behind the buildings due to the rain!

[@MattsPlanet]

I didn't think I'd fool anyone.... Hong Kong really wasn't showing its best side that day!!

[@wessexTim]

For only £80 you can afford the indignity of such a luxurious bus.🤣 This looks like an interesting trip and may well be doing parts of it myself in the near future....Thanks Matt.

[@MattsPlanet]

£80 is ridiculous for that specific flight but you need to invest quite a lot overall to get that leg as part of the package!

[@aday246]

Ah you were in HK for the lovely weather we've been having here lol Great video as always which i always look out for here in HK Sunday evenings.

[@MattsPlanet]

It really was wet!!! Hong Kong has changed a lot in the 12 odd years since I was last there....

[@heinrichb]

@@MattsPlanet The only time I've been to HK was in mid-June and whilst I witnessed no raining except for the departure at the HKIA, humidity and 35C and above will ensure you are perpetually drenched one way or another.

[@aday246]

@@MattsPlanet It's changed a lot for sure, thankfully so did the weather today, the return of blue skies!

[@ss-xy2im]

No plans for Helsinki in the near future, sorry

[@MattsPlanet]

Those seats will be around for some time so no rush!

[@peetbothma1500]

Brilliant not to deal with your size 11's in my case, in a damn foot cubbyhole😂🇿🇦 Thanks for all the entertainment Matt👍

[@MattsPlanet]

My feet could roam free!!! FREEDOM!!!!!

[@nezbrun872]

Well, you really lucked out there chap! IME Qatar seemed to have upped their catering game on red eyes in recent times, I used to be pretty disappointed with just a couple of light options even on long haul. My own experiences of the Amman lounge at a similar time is the same as yours: almost everything's closed. I consider it a bit of a disappointment. As a result, I wouldn't want to spend much time there. Showers in the lounge are chargeable too IME. Throne buses for the win! I do hope Oman Air resolves their issues, and get to join OneWorld with their F & J product, another Avios spending opportunity (hopefully).

[@MattsPlanet]

Agree with all of that! They really weren't happy I wasn't eating!

[@gexrge-uk]

I love it!! When I get money should I travel or buy things more

[@MattsPlanet]

Travel! Easy

[@1983Ezekiel]

Apparently; London to Santiago de Chile, is BA's longest direct flight. Am hoping to do this next year. If not done already would you consider flying & reviewing it? Many thanks

[@MattsPlanet]

I have been trying to get on that flight as I am really keen to get to Chile - stay tuned!

[@timtony7153]

Hi Matt, I am scrubbing red wine of my carpet as we speak, as I lost it during your video.....did you just say POO....KET??? You rascall!!! I'm still laughing now. On a more serious note, I've done 8 J flights on Oman, And I rate them higher then Qatar. The food is something else! As always, stay well, stay great, Thomas

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm sorry about the carpet! I hope they do make it into OneWorld as I've heard lots of good things about them

[@GG-hi5if]

Any insights when Oman Air is going to finally join oneworld?

[@MattsPlanet]

2nd half 2024 is the official position, but that's a long time window!

[@adamingleton8529]

Qatar must have 8 different premium class products by now? We flew business on a ex virgin australia plane, leased to Qatar. Had the bar at the back expected by virgin, probs one of the better products if not Q suite. Was from Doha to Manchester

[@MattsPlanet]

Qatar has sacrificed consistency of product for expansion of their fleet! But I suppose that keeps things interesting!

[@phil1506]

You said seat 1A but your IFE said 10A lol

[@MattsPlanet]

There is absolutely no faulting your attention to detail! I wondered if anyone would notice....

[@speedendurance]

ice in cognac? Nooooooooooooooo!

[@MattsPlanet]

I know! I specified "no ice" but didn't want to waste time having it removed!

[@ryanwangf]

really? I do not like the new Finnair one as you need to squeeze yourself inside?

[@MattsPlanet]

I didn't love it for the first hour but once I sort of worked it out I thought it was great.... Video in a few weeks!

[@khalid969]

I'm glad you stood your ground and declined the Arabic coffee. We Arabs are under the impression that it is the best coffee in the world and serve it to tourists with a lot of pride, when in fact it looks, tastes and smells nothing like what Westerners consider to be coffee. The same applies to dates. We believe that they sit at the apex of fruit varieties just because the prophet used to eat them, not realizing that he only ate them because there were no other fruits available in this part of the world at the time. I, myself, would pick at least two dozen other fruits before even considering dates. Be that as it may, I just wanted to let you know that we do not consider it rude if you decline either.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks so much for that! I quite like arabic coffee as it is so different but I'm quite sensitive to caffeine so avoided it this time!