Business class review: ‘It doesn’t lead the field’
There are pros and cons of this international airline’s service on board a flight from Melbourne to Colombo.
There are pros and cons of SriLankan Airline’s service onboard a flight from Melbourne to Colombo.
Take a seat
The business class cabin has 28 lie-flat suites in 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout; the cubicle feels triangular as you sit angled towards the window. Seat adjustment is easy, with plenty of options. Two small shelves on the window side are fine for glasses and your phone but there’s no bin for shoes or small bags, nor a convenient place for a laptop to sit if charging. A basic amenities kit, delivered post-dinner, is by leather goods companyAigner and holds hand cream, lip balm, folding hairbrush and earplugs. There’s a good-sized pillow and a blanket but no supplementary mattress, although the seat cushioning is comfortable enough. My long frame fits OK when the seat is flat for sleeping, but my feet are cramped.
That’s entertainment
The 40cm screen resides in an angled console and swings out when needed. There’s a range of genres and cultures in the film and TV offerings to reflect the airline’s diverse operating market, but without any must-see new releases in the English selection, I fall back on West Side Story (2021), and then absorb several classic albums while doing some laptop work.
On the menu
On boarding, I’m offered juices, coconut water or Champagne (Joseph Perrier) plus a dish of plump cashews, Sri Lanka’s favourite nut. Wines on the menu card are simply “red or white”, although they’re revealed on-screen as an excellent Chilean chardonnay, sauvignon blanc from Argentina and two Australian shirazes: Yalumba Galway and Alkoomi.
The food menu is broad and I request chicken curry with eggplant but am told: “We may not have that.” The fallback of beef stir-fry with rice is good, and somehow I also end up with two entrees, a seafood selection of smoked salmon, seared prawn and tuna, and a more satisfying five-spice tofu.
Dessert is chocolate mousse cake, and the coffee comes with a Lindt ball, then I request a nightcap of arrack, Sri Lanka’s signature coconut flower spirit. For the pre-landing snack, I order a filling chicken and mushroom pie with salad.
Tech talk
There’s a USB-A slot, a universal power point and a headphones socket next to my shoulder. Wi-fi on SriLankan is subject to availability, and no announcement is made for this flight.
At your service
The cabin crew are efficient and friendly, and every request is responded to promptly, except my issues with the entertainment system, where I can’t work out how to change it from Sinhalese to English. None of the crew can offer a solution, each futilely suggesting I merely restart the screen. After a lot of trial and error, I locate the correct setting myself.
In the bag
Business class passengers can check in two bags up to 40kg in total, with no piece weighing more than 32kg. Carry-on is capped at two pieces of up to 7kg each.
Make your points
The airline has the FlySmiles loyalty scheme and is part of the Oneworld Alliance, which includes Qantas, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and British Airways.
On the ground
Despite the Oneworld Qantas connection, in Melbourne I’m directed to the generic Marhaba Lounge, which isn’t crowded, has a reasonable buffet and drinks selection and a great view of the runway.
In the know
SriLankan operates daily between Melbourne and Colombo, supplemented by three services a week from Sydney. The return flight from Colombo is an overnighter. SriLankan has a new partnership with Virgin Australia for connections to other Australian centres and the Pacific.
The bottom line
From $4019 one way based on airline website search, departing two months from date of publication.
The verdict
SriLankan’s business cabin experience doesn’t lead the field but it’s relaxing, organised and there are genuine Sri Lankan touches in the presentation and the menu.
FOR MORE BUSINESS CLASS REVIEWS, CLICK HERE.
Jeremy Bourke was a guest of Hilton Yala Resort, Sri Lanka.
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