In October last year the aircraft used was changed to an A330-300 , complete with the newer fit out and 1-2-1 confit in Business , dated no more. Current loads on this flight are very light , due no doubt to the events of Easter this year. I hope this doesn’t reduce the frequency or result in the aircraft reverting back to the older A330-200. If booking via the LK website , any transit in Colombo that has 8+ Hours transit comes with a hotel and transfer , good for London and the Maldives as connection times for those flights are not great. You have to contact them and request the hotel , but it’s free
Have been using Sri Lankan to Colombo frequently, A330-300 product has lie flat seats (similar to Cathay business). Like the fact direct into Colombo, flight back from Colombo leaves just after midnight and gets into Melbourne around 3pm, always sleep and feel refreshed on arrival. Great business fares also.
Also forgot to point out, if you book economy and seats are available, prices for an upgrade at check in are quite cheap - $900 or so I think. Which considering how cheap the economy fares can get, makes a great deal.
I flew in September so just missed the new planes 🙃
Just been told that company policy does not recommend transiting in Sri Lanka at present in case flight gets cancelled and I have to enter the country to stay overnight. Recent terrorism etc.
Their 1/2/1 J hard product is good, their other J hard product is okay. Their soft product is very average (you get what you pay for), food and service very perfunctory.
Lounge in CMB (Serendip) is not large and can get very crowded at times, food is okay, bar service limited. The other lounges except for the EK lounge are horrible.
The transit hotel (airside) is basic but clean and comfortable and quiet!
Like most things in Sri Lanka, 'do not deviate from the rules', whatever the rules are.
CMB airport is small and easy to navigate, can be a zoo outside with touts galore. Cheching in you go through multiple layers of 'security' before getting to the check-in desks including x-ray of all luggage to get into the terminal building - this was even before the bombings.
Their 1/2/1 J hard product is good, their other J hard product is okay. Their soft product is very average (you get what you pay for), food and service very perfunctory.
Lounge in CMB (Serendip) is not large and can get very crowded at times, food is okay, bar service limited. The other lounges except for the EK lounge are horrible.
The transit hotel (airside) is basic but clean and comfortable and quiet!
Like most things in Sri Lanka, 'do not deviate from the rules', whatever the rules are.
CMB airport is small and easy to navigate, can be a zoo outside with touts galore. Cheching in you go through multiple layers of 'security' before getting to the check-in desks including x-ray of all luggage to get into the terminal building - this was even before the bombings.
Transit Hotel airside? Tell me more, no need to enter the Country?
Ross: As our Comment Policy reminds, when a comment is held for moderation, please do not post that same comment again, or attempt to re-post it in a different way to avoid moderation. This only creates more work for the admin team to clean things up, and ultimately makes it take longer for comments to be approved. Instead, please be patient as comments are approved as soon as our schedule allows.
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
Anyone used this route for business to get to India? Seems a flight with good connections there and back. Thanks
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
Is fine, business class product is dated out of Melbourne though heard they were upgrading it. Service & food are good and Colombo is easy to transit,
EPC
EPC
Member since 12 Oct 2018
Total posts 8
In October last year the aircraft used was changed to an A330-300 , complete with the newer fit out and 1-2-1 confit in Business , dated no more. Current loads on this flight are very light , due no doubt to the events of Easter this year. I hope this doesn’t reduce the frequency or result in the aircraft reverting back to the older A330-200. If booking via the LK website , any transit in Colombo that has 8+ Hours transit comes with a hotel and transfer , good for London and the Maldives as connection times for those flights are not great. You have to contact them and request the hotel , but it’s free
UANTHONY
UANTHONY
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 May 2017
Total posts 2
Have been using Sri Lankan to Colombo frequently, A330-300 product has lie flat seats (similar to Cathay business). Like the fact direct into Colombo, flight back from Colombo leaves just after midnight and gets into Melbourne around 3pm, always sleep and feel refreshed on arrival. Great business fares also.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
Also forgot to point out, if you book economy and seats are available, prices for an upgrade at check in are quite cheap - $900 or so I think. Which considering how cheap the economy fares can get, makes a great deal.
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
Just been told that company policy does not recommend transiting in Sri Lanka at present in case flight gets cancelled and I have to enter the country to stay overnight. Recent terrorism etc.
Ross
Ross
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2014
Total posts 83
I use UL fairly often, they have great J fares.
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
Transit Hotel airside? Tell me more, no need to enter the Country?
Ross
Ross
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2014
Total posts 83
Indeed, it's on the first floor past the EK lounge. You need to email UL on [email protected] and give details of your arrival and departure flights.
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
UL runs the Hotel? Not a Hotel company?
Ross
Ross
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2014
Total posts 83
Don't know who runs it, but reservations are through UL reservations.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Ross: As our Comment Policy reminds, when a comment is held for moderation, please do not post that same comment again, or attempt to re-post it in a different way to avoid moderation. This only creates more work for the admin team to clean things up, and ultimately makes it take longer for comments to be approved. Instead, please be patient as comments are approved as soon as our schedule allows.
Ross
Ross
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2014
Total posts 83
Sorry, didn't realise it was being held up for moderation, just thought something was wrong and it wasn't posting.
akronflyer
akronflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jul 2014
Total posts 145
I always price my airfares ex Colombo , i got 4 bus class flights for $1309 in total on Malaysian and Sri Lankan