Summary

  • Oman Air offers free stopover accommodations in Muscat until the end of November 2024.
  • Passengers booking with Oman Air can get discounts and tour offers for stopover stays.
  • Other oneworld alliance members also offer similar stopover programs, with varying inclusions.

Oman Air has launched a program offering free or discounted hotel accommodation for passengers booking flights with a stopover in Muscat. This is currently only confirmed to be on offer through November 2024. Oman Air should be joining the oneworld alliance later in 2024. Several other alliance member airlines also offer stopover programs, and it will be encouraging for many to see that this is something that Oman Air is backing as well.

Stopover in Muscat Oman

Like many hub-based airlines, Oman Air
offers flights between many destinations via its base in Muscat. While many passengers simply connect and change aircraft, such routings can be a great opportunity to stay longer and explore an extra destination.

Oman Air is currently running a promotion that offers free accommodation for any passengers booking a stopover in Oman. This is operated in conjunction with the Oman government through the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism to promote the country.

Oman Air Boeing 787.

Photo: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock

The airline explains the intention behind this:

“As part of their shared commitment to highlight Oman as a preferred tourist destination, Oman Air and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have joined forces for a special stopover promotion for passengers transiting through Muscat. “

Oman Air stopover

Photo: Oman Air

Free stopover accommodation is on offer through October and November 2024

The offer is currently running until 30th November 2024. The free accommodation offer is open to any passenger who has booked a return flight with Oman Air, with a stopover in Muscat. It can be used once on the return booking.

Oman Air offers stopover passengers the following:

  • One free night accommodation for business class passengers.
  • Two nights for the price of one accommodation for economy class passengers.
  • The booking includes the room only.
  • Additional discounts on tours, car hire, and other services.
Oman Air Boeing 737 shutterstock_1489673534

Photo: LIAL | Shutterstock

How to book a stopover package

The offer is open to any passenger after making a stopover booking. This can be booked easily using the Oman Air website by choosing the multi-city booking option. This allows you to enter the flights separately, adding the stop in Muscat as you like.

Oman Air booking

Photo: Oman Air

Flights should be booked with a stopover of over 24 hours on either the outbound or return sector (the offer can only be claimed once per return booking).

Once flights are booked and confirmed, passengers should complete a request form on the Oman Air website. This asks you to input all the confirmed flight information, select how many nights you will stay in Muscat, and choose a hotel. Three, four, and five-star hotels are on offer. However, it is not clear what passengers are permitted to book or what the payment rates are.

Exploring Muscat and Oman

Oman is a fascinating destination to visit. With just a short stopover, you will likely be limited to visiting the capital city of Muscat. This is an interesting and historic city with plenty to explore. City center sights include the Corniche, Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, and the Mutrah Souq.

It is worth considering staying for more than one night, however. This would allow further exploration of Oman. Excursions to nearby villages, into the desert, or around fascinating Wadi scenery are easily possible.

Promenade Muscat

Oman Air explains:

“Launched just in time for the winter season, visitors can experience Muscat at its very best, with warm weather, stunning landscapes and cultural activities promising an unforgettable retreat. [Oman Air is] committed to promoting the natural beauty, rich heritage and friendly, genuine hospitality of its home-base.”

Other oneworld airline stopover programs

Although Oman Air is not yet a full member of oneworld, this is a promising offer for oneworld flyers. It remains to be seen what offers may be put in place after the airline joins the alliance, but it will no doubt be increasingly popular with the additional possibilities as an alliance member. In particular, it will be interesting to see if tickets booked using miles and points with oneworld loyalty programs would be eligible for anything.

There are already several options within oneworld for free or discounted stopovers at airline hubs. These include:

  • Qatar Airways

    offers one of the best stopover packages of any airline. The airline offers significantly discounted accommodation for up to four nights, with a range of hotel categories. Prices for standard category hotels start at just QAR 50 ($13.73) per night.

  • Royal Jordanian

    . Royal Jordanian’s Zuwar Stopover Program offers guided tours, hotel stays, and specific flights through Royal Jordanian to eligible passengers. Longer visits (including to Petra and Madaba) will include one night of accommodation. This offer can be booked as part of a Royal Jordanian booking on the website – but note that it is only available to full fare economy and business class passengers.

  • Iberia

    : The Spanish airline offers free stopovers on select international connections via Madrid. This needs to be booked on Iberia flights using the multi-city booking option on the website. A stopover in one direction of a return booking can be added for up to nine nights. The airlines offer some additional benefits, including a transport pass for Madrid and discounts on some domestic Iberia flights to allow further exploration.

  • Japan Airlines

    is currently running an interesting promotion for foreign visitors to encourage additional travel within Japan. Passengers flying with Japan Airlines into one of the main hubs can book an additional return domestic flight within Japan free of charge. Note that there is no free or supported accommodation on offer. Flights need to be booked in one booking – a stopover can be added for free (there is a $100 charge for US, Canadian, and Chinese bookings).

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