Roomy economy cabin layout makes this flight great for couples

The airline: SriLankan Airlines

• Route Sydney to Colombo, flight UL607
• Frequency Four times a week – Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday direct from Sydney (and daily flights from Melbourne)
• Aircraft Airbus A330-300
• Class Economy; seat 63K (window)
• Flight time 11 hours, 15 minutes (on time)

A SriLankan A330 taking off.Credit: iStock

Checking in

In December 2024, Australia ranked among the top five source markets for international tourist arrivals into Sri Lanka, according to a monthly report by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. With SriLankan Airlines currently operating direct flights between Colombo and both Sydney and Melbourne, it’s no surprise that when my partner and I arrive 2½ hours early at Sydney Airport, we find the check-in queue full. To our delight, every counter is staffed and the line moves steadily. Despite having booked our flights separately, we’re allocated seats together with no fuss – thanks in part to an advance call to the airline’s helpful customer service team. Seats secured and baggage dropped, we’re off to snap obligatory pictures at the Sydney departure sign.

Baggage

One personal item such as a handbag or laptop, one carry-on bag up to seven kilograms, and one checked bag up to 30 kilograms.

Loyalty scheme

FlySmiLes is the frequent flyer program. The airline is also a member of the oneworld alliance, which means you can earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points on SriLankan Airlines flights.

The seat

The economy cabin is set up in a 2-4-2 layout.

Peacock feather motifs on teal-toned seats preset with butter yellow antimacassars, pillows and blankets (a nod to the season’s trending hue, perhaps) complement the elegant, oriental-inspired design of the cabin crew uniforms. Economy class is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration – a welcome sight for antisocial travelling pairs – and each seat has a foot rest, a width of 17.5 inches (44.5 centimetres) and 32-inch pitch (81 centimetres). Comfortable enough, even for my 190-centimetre partner.

Entertainment + tech

The Wi-Fi is not working, but there’s plenty of entertainment on the inflight system.

Our seats include USB-A charging ports and access to the in-flight entertainment system loaded with movies, TV shows, music, games and an e-reader. The cabin crew informs us that Wi-Fi is unavailable for our flight, so we watch a film on concurrent screens, hitting play at the same time. After a short struggle with the provided headphones and armrest jack, we have sound – until my partner’s screen freezes, right at the climax of Cars 3. Thankfully, restarting the film resolves the glitch, and we can witness Lightning McQueen following his racing dreams.

Service

We’re welcomed onboard with a courteous “ayubowan” from the cabin crew, our first introduction to the widely used Sinhalese greeting. The warm hospitality synonymous with Sri Lankan culture continues throughout the entire flight – from the particularly catchy, rhyming safety video (“A safe flight is our promise to you, the crew is always around to guide you through”) to the friendly and attentive service.

Food

Two full meal services are offered.Credit: Georgia Dunkley

Two full meal services are offered, with snacks and drinks in between. Pleasingly, the dinner service features three choices – chicken, fish or vegetarian. I opt for the chicken curry, served with yellow rice and mixed vegetables, accompanied by a potato salad, bread roll, and blueberry jelly slice for dessert. Beverages are complimentary, so we kick things off right away with a local Lion Lager. Metal cutlery and glassware is a welcome touch.

Sustainability

Oneworld, including SriLankan Airlines, recently became the first airline alliance to join the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CO2 Connect initiative*, under which all 13 member airlines contribute their operational data to enhance the accuracy of CO2 emission calculations in aviation. The airline has also committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as part of IATA’s long-term goal.

One more thing

Bandaranaike International Airport – the main airport serving Sri Lanka – is located in Negombo, approximately 32 kilometres (about 40 minutes by car or a minimum of two hours by train) from the capital, Colombo. Plan your onward transfer in advance for a smoother arrival experience.

The price

From about $1400 return in economy.**

The verdict

The convenience of a direct flight, warm Sri Lankan hospitality, and the charming, rhyming onboard safety video outweigh the minor shortcomings of out-of-order Wi-Fi and fairly simple aircraft amenities.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer travelled at her own expense. See srilankan.com

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.