I arrived at Colombo Airport shortly after 7:30AM, plenty early for my 9:55AM flight to Dubai. Colombo Airport has tight security, as you have to go through two security screenings before they even let you into the check-in hall.
Colombo Airport check-in hall
Emirates’ check-in counter was located at the far left of the terminal, and was busy, given that the 777 to Dubai was fully booked. Emirates has a surprisingly large presence in Colombo, as they operate five daily 777 flights (three to Dubai, one to Male, and one to Singapore). There was no queue at the first class counter, and within a couple of minutes I was checked in and invited to enjoy the Emirates Lounge.
Emirates check-in Colombo Airport
After checking in I headed to the opposite end of the hall for immigration, which was a pretty quick process. At that point I took the escalator up a level to the terminal. At Bandaranaike International Airport, security is at the individual gates, so you don’t have to pass through a main checkpoint first (well, other than the two checkpoints to get to check-in).
Colombo Airport terminal
There’s a long hall with all the gates to the left, though the Emirates Lounge is located in the main terminal area, just across from the immigration checkpoint. When you pass the main area with gates you’ll see an elevator to the left, which takes you down to the Emirates Lounge.
Elevator to Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport
Upon exiting the elevator, I turned left down a hallway, and then the entrance to the Emirates Lounge was straight ahead.
Hallway to Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport exterior
There I was welcomed by an Emirates employee, who informed me that they’d make a boarding announcement in the lounge.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport reception
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport entrance
The Emirates Lounge Colombo is a decent size. Inside the entrance and to the left is the main seating are, which has several dozen seats along the window. Emirates is remarkably consistent when it comes to the design of their lounges. While they’ve updated their decor since (as you’ll find in the Emirates Lounge Los Angeles, for example), I find their old style of lounges to be painfully outdated.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport seating
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport seating
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport seating
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport seating
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport seating
This area of the lounge has excellent views of the apron.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport view
At 8:45AM I watched the inbound plane pull into the gate, after the overnight flight from Dubai.
Emirates 777 Colombo Airport
Next to the lounging area was the dining area, which featured many tables with 2-4 seats each, as well as some high-top seating. I decided to sit in this area, and while the other part of the lounge filled up quite a bit, this area remained empty for most of my stay.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport dining area
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport dining area
The breakfast selection was solid. I’ll let the pictures speak mostly for themselves.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport food
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport buffet
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport toaster & bread
There was a coffee machine as well as a Dilmah tea selection at the buffet.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport coffee & tea
In terms of alcohol, the wine selection included two whites, two reds, and Moet champagne.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport champagne & wine
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport red wine
Then there was a selection of self serve liquor.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport liquor
Over in the far corner of the lounge was another self serve drink section, with liquor, bottled water, soft drinks, etc.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport self serve bar
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport self serve bar
There were also some dates.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport dates
Back near the entrance was a business center with some PCs, as well as a printer.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport business center
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport business center
The lounge had Wi-Fi, though it was definitely on the slow side. Not unusably slow, but don’t expect to be able to stream video, etc.
The lounge’s bathrooms were in good condition, and the men’s bathrooms had two showers in it. In general I don’t love Emirates’ shower rooms, as they always seem to have them inside the main restrooms, meaning that the shower rooms don’t have private toilets.
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport bathroom
Emirates Lounge Colombo Airport shower
My boarding pass indicated that boarding was scheduled to start at 9:25AM, so I headed to the gate at around 9AM, knowing that I’d still have to go through security. Most gates at the airport are down a long hallway that’s perpendicular to the rest of the terminal.
Colombo Airport terminal
My flight was departing from gate 7, and the line to get through security wasn’t that long. There isn’t any premium security line, though I’ve never had to wait too long for security at the airport.
Emirates gate Colombo Airport
Even though boarding was nowhere close to starting, the monitor already indicated “final call.”
Emirates gate Colombo Airport
After going through security my boarding pass was immediately scanned, so for all practical purposes I was already on the plane. In the gate area they have a separate section for first and business class passengers, which is simply the very right of the gate area, by the window. I guess I was the first premium cabin passenger to show up.
Emirates gate Colombo Airport
Emirates gate Colombo Airport
While the 777 was already at the gate, it was clear that we weren’t close to boarding yet, as the crew was sitting in the gate area. The crew boarded at around 9:15AM, and at 9:40AM first & business class boarding was called.
Emirates 777 Colombo Airport
Emirates Lounge Colombo bottom line
Colombo Airport isn’t exactly known as a hub for the best airport lounges. Otherwise the best lounge at the airport is the SriLankan Serendib Lounge. With that in mind, the Emirates Lounge is actually quite solid. The lounge is spacious, has nice views, and a good food and drink selection. The decor is quite outdated, but that’s in line with many of Emirates’ older lounges.
Don’t arrive early to visit this lounge, but if you have to kill time here you won’t be uncomfortable.
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.