Oman Air and a Thai hospital have launched an innovative new scheme which allows Oman Air members to earn air miles while having a health check.
The Sindbad frequent flyer scheme offers members of Oman Air the chance to earn miles while being tested for diabetes, or have DNA, fitness, stress and blood tests as well as a breast check-up at the Piyavate Hospital in Bangkok. The hospital also has a dental clinic, a rehabilitation centre and a cosmetic surgery. Members of the scheme pay the hospital directly.
According to Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Shikely, the marketing manager for Oman Air, the airline came up with the idea for the partnership. He said Oman Air decided on a Thai hospital because "Thailand represents good value for medical tourism to a destination Oman Air operates to." Piyavate hospital was chosen because of its reputation, facilities and Western-trained doctors.
Al Shikely continued: ”Partnering with Piyavate in Thailand means that members can now afford the top quality health care services of an international hospital and the skills of top doctors at rates that are highly competitive.”
The partnership allows members enrolled in the programme to earn miles on all services offered by the 27-storey hospital, as well as the four-storey Tria Integrative Wellness Centre, which offers holistic treatments such as psychotherapy, reflexology and yoga. The hospital provides golf cars for patients visiting the centre, which is a five-minute walk from Piyavate.
Five flights a week depart from Muscat International at 0200 daily except Tuesday and Sunday and arrive in Bangkok at 1100. These flights leave Gatwick at 0940 except on Sundays.
For more information, visit omanair.aero ortriaintegrativewellness.com.
Sarah Riches