National carrier Oman Air has won two prestigious design accolades - best New First Class 2018 and Best New Lounge 2018 in TheDesignAir Awards 2018.

TheDesignAir Awards have been running for six years and celebrates the very best in aviation design across the globe. The judging panel, made up of eight aviation and design experts, awarded Oman Air with the accolades following the unveiling of the new lounge at Muscat Airport and the launch of the three-class Dreamliner earlier this year. The award acknowledges the carrier’s commitment to offering the very best in design and customer experience to its guests.

Oman Air CEO, Engineer Abdulaziz Al Raisi, said: “Oman has such a rich heritage and inspires us through design and also an inherent sense of hospitality and service. It is a great honour to receive such positive feedback from our guests and industry experts alike.”

Xia Cai, senior vice president of guest experience and branding, said: “We are delighted to be recognised as the leading airline in design. Oman Air’s guest experience, brand, and product development teams worked collaboratively to create our bespoke First Class cabin and lounge offerings, and we were delighted with the results.”

Saleem Amanulla, vice president, Airport Operations, Oman Air, said: “It is indeed an honour to be recognised with a design award for our lounges at the new passenger terminal.  We have integrated into the design element of the premium lounges the influence of the desert and mountains found in Oman and this inspiration has produced a beautiful area for guests to relax before boarding. Apart from receiving appreciation from our guests, such awards are also hugely motivating.” 

Jonny Clark, founder of TheDesignAir, said: "Oman Air has long been on our radar as a leading carrier in the Middle East. With these two new leading products, the airline has reaffirmed its position as a design-led airline with a focus on the passenger experience. These culturally sensitive, delightful products on the ground and in the air bring design touches that truly represent Oman's rich and diverse culture. Onboard the new First Class suites are elegant, refined and paired back, while the lounge in Muscat's new terminal is rich, luxurious and intricately detailed, creating an opulent space to relax between flights.” - TradeArabia News Service