Checked out from the hotel at 1am and got Uber to the airport. Before I left I've requested upgrades on my two upcoming flights.
By the time I've got to the airport I've received email that unfortunately both flights are full and there is no possibility of purchasing upgrades. Short flights, not a big of a deal. I was dropped off at the departures level and proceeded to the check in desk.
Business class counter was empty, so I was checked in very fast. On my boarding pass, the agent wrote Oryx and explained it to me, that I can use Oryx lounge right after passing security. Lane to passport control was crazy long at this early hour. It took probably 30 minutes just to have passport stamped. Security check took less than 5 minutes.
After the checks you are let in to the huge space with huge teddy bear




Went to the Oryx lounge and found place at the very end. There were some guys from UK also going to Dubai. I had small talk with them, they've said that there is no alcohol in this lounge. Have to wait few more hours to have a proper drink
After having some finger food, I went to the smoking room in the lounge. I was very confused, because waiter brought to some guy big glass of whiskey with ice. I can smell whiskey when I'm around it. It wasn't ice-T. As I was leaving anyway I didn't investigate.


December 14 2017
WY668
DOH - MCT
Oman Air
Boeing 737-900
A4O-BY
34F Economy Class
Actual flight time: 1:05hr

I left the lounge and walked to my gate. On the way I bought some souvenirs from the store. Then I wanted to see on FR24 registration of my aircraft that will take me to Muscat. It was 15 minutes until boarding but the aircraft was still in flight and 30 minutes away from DOH. Great, another Oman Air flight late. At the gate I saw that my flight is delayed until 5am, but people were queuing to board. I was confused. Maybe there is another aircraft on the ground. Then some gentlemen working the flight said that the flight will board in 1 hour or maybe even earlier. So I can't go back to the lounge, and there is no place to seat. You have almost 200 people by the gate and they wont let them in to the seating area. What's the point of the chairs passed ticket check at the gate? Anyway, I went back few gates and found empty chairs.
Boarding started few minutes before 5am. I still had plenty of time to catch my connection in Muscat, as my original itinerary had 4 hours layover at MCT. Boarding took almost another hour and we were very late. Now I started worrying about my upcoming connection.
We took off very late and soon after they started serving prepackaged sandwich and drinks. However, I was in the back so by the time they started preparation for landing, they managed to serve only people up to row 22. I was thirsty but I can wait until the next flight, or maybe I can have some time in the lounge at MCT. The aircraft landed late and the bus came very late to pick up people.



By the time I boarded the bus to terminal, my boarding for next flight has already started. I've decided to try my luck and see if I can use my silver status with Oman Air, by going via fast track lane.
By the time I've got to security check point my flight started boarding 15 minutes earlier. Asked attendant at the security check point if I can use fast track (as a silver with Oman Air), he said yes, please go ahead. I had to open the tape thing in the fast track lane. Then some military guy started yelling at me. I've calmly explained to him that my flight started boarding 15 minutes ago, that I am silver with Oman and that the attendant told me to go ahead. He's replay was "I DON'T CARE!!!!! GET OUT OF MY SECURITY CHECK POINT!!!", I started apologizing, not to piss him off even more. Then he called the attendant and he was yelling at him in front of 200 people. Saying that he's going to beat the living crap out of him. I begged him to let me go via the fast track as I would miss my connection. After saying Sorry and Please so many times, the rude military guy let me go. I've made the last bus to the plane.
I was really scared. Because of this incident I will never go back via Oman Air ever again. The military guy was acting as I just killed somebody and got caught. Its not WTH anymore, it's .... I'm done with Oman Air and Oman as a whole. I've been to over 40 countries, and never at any place that I have visited, somebody would be this delusional.

Had to run to my gate, there was already queue being created for the next flight departing from this gate. I was afraid that I've missed my flight. Thankfully some agent was yelling that they are still waiting for passengers departing to Dubai.
I've made the last bus to the airplane!

December 14 2017
WY603
DOH - MCT
Oman Air
Boeing 737-900
A4O-BY
32A Economy Class
Actual flight time: 49 minutes


The bus approached the aircraft which I left 30 minutes ago. A lot of passengers from my Doha flight were also on this flight. This flight was also full. It wouldn't be an Oman Air flight if we left on time. This time only 30 minutes delay.
After the take off the cabin crew started in flight service. Around 20 minutes later I saw that my row wont be served, so I've asked passing FA for a cup of water. The answer was "we are about to land". So once again I didn't get water on the flight. The conclusion is, if you want water on Oman Air flight you have to seat before row 20.

Finally I was in Dubai. Another first for me. Left the jet bridge and followed the signs to the train. Arrived at the immigration and there was maze of people. It took over 30 minutes to get to the front of the lane. Then walk to the baggage claim, where my bag was already riding the belt. When I got my bag I went to duty free store to get something stronger for the weekend. Then ATM and I've requested Uber to my Hilton Garden Inn. The UberVIP wouldn't accept my request, so I switched to UberBlack. It was accepted and nice Tesla S picked me up from the taxi stand in front of Terminal 1. It was my first time in Tesla. When I saw the built in navigation system I was impressed. Never seen anything like that before.



Minutes later I've arrived at the hotel. I have requested specific room with the airport view, but was informed that it will be ready in 3 hours. That's fine, I'll wait on the roof



Dubai airport is on a bucket list for every spotter. I was so happy when I saw that the landings are from the sea side (runway 12L).
I've stayed on the roof almost until it got dark at 5pm, then I went downstairs to get key to my room.








I've opened my duty free purchase and relaxed little before going to the restaurant downstairs for first food in a long time.



I think I've ordered the biggest meal that they had on the menu. Lots of seafood. The waiter came and apologized that they are out of lobsters. No problem, just add more shrimps



After the dinner I went back to my room and had to do some work. I think I finally finished around 1am.
My alarm was set to 6am. Breakfast starts at 6:30am, but I was there already few minutes before. I was first person in the breakfast area, the lady working there asked me for my room number. After I've told her, she said "welcome Mr. BWIADCA" without looking at any lists.
I was impressed, and asked her how she can remember my name? Because you are gold HHonors member. That was pretty cool and impressive

The breakfast selection reminded more of European spread. I didn't order hot cooked meal because I was on hurry to get to the roof.
Just had some bread with cold cuts and veggies. Then quickly back to my room for my camera and one floor up to the roof.





Of course I was the first person there. The planes were still landing on runway 12L. I had bottle of water and my "special" drink mix. I had to go to my room just around 12 to refill my mix and then back on the roof until 5pm.
I was enjoying every minute on the rooftop pool area

When it got dark I went back downstairs to the restaurant to get some lunch/dinner. This time I've got butter chicken and pint of Heineken. Started eating, then realized that I don't have shot of it



After the meal I went back to my room to do some work.

Street view from the front of the hotel.



Again, I was working until 1-2am. I went couple of times to the roof to have a smoke during late evening hours. The pool area became hookah place. I got to know one employee after few trips to the roof. He gave me a fruit that looked like tomato, but was bitter sweet. Anyone know the name of the fruit?

My last morning in Dubai. Went back for breakfast, then to the roof.



Spotting until 10am, then I had to leave for the airport to catch my return flight to Riyadh via Bahrain.