Review: SriLankan Airlines Business Class A321neo Colombo To Abu Dhabi

There was a time when SriLankan was partially owned and wholly managed by Emirates. Same planes, great service, good prices and the airline at a point was even profitable even though it suffered strikes from the Tiger rebels from time to time. I was even getting my skywards miles when flying with them. Then the then Sri Lankan president had to take an unplanned flight to UK but the premium cabins were full and the airline's policy (same as with Emirates) foresees that no passenger is neither downgraded nor taken off the flight. In that case the demand was to bump 35 passengers off the plane to cater not only the President but also his full entourage. The CEO Peter Hill at that time, had his work permit revoked but to add to that also the negotiations to renew Emirate's management contract did not go very well. Emirates gave up it's management role and partnership (over 40%) which took years to finalize and since then, as per my knowledge, things didn't go as well. The product shown in these pics was unthinkable when EK and Sri Lankan were in business together. Any flight short as it might be would have been made by a wide body aircraft with the same comfort of the longest flight. This is what EK is famous about and policies were implemented in the same way for its managed business and affiliations.

I don't think what you were told about mobile boarding passes at CMB is entirely true — I transit CMB at least 4 or 5 times a year on my way to India and have always been able to use a mobile boarding pass to board my India-bound flight. Granted, I simply transit whereas you originated and cleared immigration in CMB, so there might be a difference, but I agree that it's annoying af for SriLankan to issue mobile boarding passes when they're supposedly not allowed

Presumably this flight took place prior to the recent terror attacks; in that regard it will be interesting to see how things change at CMB. Things had become rather ‘relaxed’ following the end of the Tamil Tiger civil war but already I read some reports of visa waivers/visa on arrival initiatives being deferred.
During that troubled period it was necessary for passengers to go onto the tarmac and identify their luggage, prior to it being loaded.
In contrast to Nicola’s view, I don’t see any diminution of service since the end of the EK deal; on the contrary, I think things are better. I will continue to use them unless the restrictions post the terror attacks become too onerous.
They’re ‘cheap and cheerful’ but I’m fine with that.

You describe what the food was, but you don't say whether it tasted any good. It looks delish. Should we read your silence on the matter as a statement that it was meh?

@Nicola Interesting history. I think the livery on Sri Lankan (especially the lettering) looks similar to Emirates. Is that the reason why?

FYI, Chai means tea. So, call it Masala Chai, or Masala Tea, but not Masala Chai tea. The "Black tea" being referred to in the menu is the type of tea (black vs. green)

@Sam, read the "Bottom Line" where he writes, "The meal service was tasty"

That's nuts about the line for departure immigration check. Why more countries don't just do what Canada and the U.S. does and have the airline collect the passport info and not do a physical departure check beats me. Singapore has a departure check, but they enable visitors to go through the automated gates since they collect your thumbprint upon entry.

@Jim

Well I think so because Emirates in fact has managed Sri Lankan for ten years until 2008, which means 11 years back. Was utilizing its influence to purchase aircraft at convenient prices and I recall boarding a business class of an A330 of Sri Lankan and seats, IFE, everything was resembling Emirates Except for the entertainment language in EK was in Arabic/English and in Sri Lankan was Sinhala/English. So since I guess many of the old staff are still there, things might not have changed dramatically.

Good review. I’m taking this flight in business class August, looking forward to it.

I noticed the sticker "Wake Me Up for Duty Free". Other airlines have that too. Wonder if anyone uses that anymore. Still, Sri Lanka does have a very interesting Duty Free selections that includes Sri Lankan items such as jewelry that can be very nice and very good value. I ordered it in advance and got a discount too. I checked before the flight to confirm my order was on board and it was. On board they did not bring me my purchase and I had to remind them of it a couple of times. Had to pay cash on board as not all flights accept credit cards. I think one of the reasons for that is Internet is not permitted over India (as I remember). This affects credit card payments as well as on board access.

Another issue is interlining in Delhi with British Airways. It may not happen, which will be a problem for me later this year.

Lucky, I flew CMB to DOH in February, but not on UL.
Seems I was told UL had their own terminal. Not true? The process for QR was like being in a garbage can, including the Business Class "lounge."
Did you ever report to us about the new airport that continues to sit empty?

Looks like a great flight. Love that tray presentation for desert!

Indeed, it looked like a great flight - the J cabin looks modern & updated.
I flew CMBKUL last month in Y & the service, cabin crew & aircraft cabin were all excellent.
The local meal choice was tasty - fish curry - I'd definitely love to fly with them again
CMB the airport itself tho' ... umm not so good

Hmm. UL don't enforce "no electronics" during take off or landing, so not quite sure what happened there - I've done over 40 UL flights this year alone, and always been able to use my iPad and BT Bose headphones during taxi, take off and landing without hindrance.

Moreso, and just as a data point, that menu hasn't changed in over 2 years - same meal on the AUH-CMB route, and same wines too. It gets very boring. But remember you can book your business class meal in advance if departing from CMB via https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/flying-with-us/meals-pre-order