Flight: Colombo (CMB) to Singapore and back  

Airline: Srilankan Airlines

Flight Number: UL308 and UL309

Plane: A320 (UL308) and A330-200 (UL309)

Cabin: Business Class

Seat: 3A (both flights)

This Flight

This is a review of two flights on Srilankan Airlines – from Colombo to Singapore, and the reverse.

My trip was a business trip to Singapore. British Airways and Qatar Airways wanted to charge a fortune, so I got creative and looked at a lesser known OneWorld carrier, Srilankan Airlines.  

The Colombo to Singapore leg leaves around 12:10 and lands in Singapore at 18:40. The flight is about 4 and bit hours.  

The Singapore to Colombo is scheduled to leave at 19:50 and land in Colombo at 21:10, and is around 3 hours – but don’t be surprised if it’s very late!

Checking In

Checking in for my flight to Singapore was surprisingly easy! Having landed in Colombo from London, I spent some time in the Serendib Lounge, before heading to the flight. It wasn’t necessary to re-check in at Security or go through immigration – very easy indeed.  

Checking in for my flight back to Colombo was less easy! The Check In desks didn’t open until almost 3 hours before the flight was due to leave – and I wanted to check out some of Singapore’s lounges in Terminal 1 (Srilankan depart from Terminal 3) – so time was of the essence!

The Lounge

In Colombo I used the Serendib Lounge, which I review here. I also briefly visited the Serendiva Lounge too!

In Singapore, the ‘official’ lounge is the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3. However, in Terminal 1 there is a HUGE array of extremely good lounges that were miles better than Marhaba – Qantas First, Qantas Business, Qatar Airlines and British Airways as good examples! So I went there. Kid in a sweetshop, I definitely was!

The Plane

My trip to Singapore was in Srilankan’s A320.

My return journey Colombo was in Srilankan’s A330-200.

If I am honest, both of these planes are showing the signs of being old and tired!

The Seat

In the A320, the Business Class seats are offered in 2-2 format. The seats are different to most domestic carriers, and have foot rests, etc. You can see my review of the A320 Business Class seat here.

In the A330-200, the seats are in 2-2-2 format, and give the impression of being early business class seats. They do however go to a flatbed! You can see my review of the A330-200 Business Class seat here.

Food and Drink

Drinks

Before takeoff on both flights, champagne or water was offered.

Drinks offered on both flights were the same, champagne, beers, wines and the usual soft drinks.

If there is one criticism I would make, its that both beer and white wine was served rather warm – which didn’t add to its appeal!  

Post takeoff, I tried what seems to be the Nation’s flagship beer, Lion – but the fact it was warm on both flights didn’t make it nice! This was served (on both flights) with cashew nuts.

One thing I would say is that the beers and wines are slightly ambiguous, and there is only one beer – Lion!

Food – CMB to SIN

Before takeoff menus were handed out, and orders taken.

Seemingly, there is a HUGE option of tea!

Lunch options on this flight included;

Salad starter

Main options;

• “Kahabath” with Devilled Chicken
• Mixed Seafood Noodle
• Stir-fried Oyster Beef
• Vegetarian potato, beans, cashew nuts, etc

Desert was a single option of fruit, tiramisu and a KitKat!

The lunch was served on a single-tray service, which was fine – and the same as many other airlines for this relatively short flight.

After the trays are handed out, the bread basket comes. All kinds of breads are available, such as garlic bread and naan bread. I have to say, I found the food really good and tasty!

Food – SIN to CMB

Again, orders were taken pre-flight, and there seemed to be a huge range of tea, again!

Dinner options on this flight included;

Salad starter

Main options;

• Imperial Chicken
• Prawn Masala
• Grilled Beef Steak
• Veggie choice, which was jackfruit curry……..yum!

Desert was again a single option of fruit, apple crumble and a KitKat – so again, a sort of choice!

I went for the beef, which I enjoyed – and again the bread basket came round.

All in all, I thought the food was good given the relatively short length of flights – it’s probably better than BA’s current offering!

Amenities

No amenities kit was offered on either of these flights.

Wifi

No Wifi was available on either of the planes.

Entertainment

Both the A320 and A330 had entertainment available for those who wanted to watch it.

It was the same on both planes; A320 on the left and A330 on the right, in the images above.

Entertainment was controlled by a tiny silver remote control, which slotted in t the sides of the seat.

Entertainment options, I would say are slightly dated – I took the pictures from another flight I did sitting in 1A, hence the difference in the screen.

Generally, there was plenty to watch and listen to during the flight – so it was all pretty good!

Headphones were offered on all flights; in fact they were waiting in my seat for both flights.

In general terms, for relatively short flights, it was a surprise to get an entertainment system.

Cabin Crew

The Cabin Crew for both flights (and more generally on Srilankan) were great. They are so friendly, super charming, and nothing was too much trouble!

During the whole of the flight my glass was refilled, and cashew nuts were at the ready. It was a really great experience!

One thing I thought that was quite funny was that the Cabin Crew serve everything from their golden tray. Nothing could be ‘given’ it was all from the tray!

Landing

Landing in Singapore was very easy indeed! After a short walk to the immigration (where I’d already filled out my E-Forms), my passport was scanned, and my bag delivered around 15 minutes later.

In Colombo, landing was even easier. I walked straight off the plane, and headed over to the Serendiva Transit Hotel for a nights sleep, before my next days flight to London.

Conclusion

There are many great things about these flights and Srilankan Airlines in general. The food, the entertainment system – and of course the Cabin Crew!

If there is a downside, it’s the lack of Wifi and the fact that the cabin was pretty old and dated on both aircraft.

That said, I’d be happy to fly with Srilankan again!

Score

74 out of 80 – or 93%.