Travelling to Colombo and want to know if it’s worth the extra cost to fly business? This Sri Lankan Airlines business class review takes you through the experience.
The Sri Lankan Airlines Business Class Review: London to Colombo and Back Again
I spend a fair amount of my life in the air: enough to know what matters and what’s just clever marketing. Over the years, I’ve learnt that a good flight isn’t about gimmicks, it’s about the details that actually make you feel human at 35,000 feet.
So here’s my clear-eyed, suitcase-tested review of flying business class with Sri Lankan Airlines: what works, what doesn’t, and what you can genuinely expect on board their Airbus A330-300 to Colombo.
This review of Sri Lankan Airlines business class covers the full journey: from check-in at Heathrow’s main terminal to the Serendib Lounge at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, and the return flight home. Whether you’re planning to fly business class on the airline’s Airbus A330-300 from London to Sri Lanka or connecting via Colombo to destinations like Melbourne or Singapore, here’s what to expect.
Check-In and the Business Lounge at Heathrow
Sri Lankan Airlines operates out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow, sharing the check-in area with other oneworld members such as Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and British Airways.
Of course, you get a dedicated check-in desk and fast-track security, all of which make premium travel noticeably smoother.
Sri Lankan Airlines don’t have their own lounge at Heathrow, so instead I was directed towards the One World one.
It’s a large space, with many different zones. There are the seats by the window for plane spotters and a quiet zone with low lights for those hoping for a snooze. The bar is self service and regularly replenished and there’s also a self-service buffet with a large range of food, catering towards a range of dietary restrictions.
The kid zone looked large (but empty) when I arrived for my evening flight, with glass walls, a sofa and a few buckets of toys.
You’ll find plenty of charging points and different kinds of seating within an overall corporate hotel kind of feel.
First Impressions of Sri Lankan Airlines Business Class on the Airbus A330-300
Let’s get right to it. The main thing I always want to know about flying business is how I’m going to manage to sleep. So, does Sri Lankan Airlines Business Class have a lie flat bed? Yes, it certainly does.
The overall look is clean and calm, and I love the airline’s teal and cream colour palette and the subtle shimmer of the Sri Lankan logo stitched into the seat headrests.
The food is an excellent introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine, with fragrant, light curries and a backup of more western fare if you’re worried your travel stomach can’t take it.
The Seat and Cabin Layout
At the moment, Sri Lankan Airlines has an all Airbus fleet and they have arranged their business class cabin with a 1-2-1 configuration, which means that every seat has direct aisle access. (The class cabins on SriLankan’s A330-200 aircraft are similar, though smaller.)
The seats are wide and upholstered in soft leather, though if you value privacy, a window seat is your best bet. There isn’t a lot separating the two central seats and the TV screen from fellow passengers can quickly become annoying when you’re trying to get some rest.
Each of the flatbed seats reclines into a fully flat position, giving enough space to stretch out during long-haul flights. The cushioning is on the firm side, resembling more the dentist’s chair than a cotton cloud, but it’s comfortable enough once you’re horizontal.
Storage and Entertainment
Storage is decent: a shoe cubby, a small side area, and a place for your headphone and water bottle. The tray table folds out neatly from the armrest and is large enough for both dinner and a laptop. There’s also a reading light and a USB charging port, plus a hook for jackets and coats.
The inflight entertainment system includes films, TV series, and documentaries, though the touchscreen can be a bit sluggish and the choices feel ever so slightly dated. The headphones provided work well, though if you’re like my husband, you may just prefer your own pair.
You have a whole overhead cabin for storage, too, unless you’re in one of the row 7 seats. That said, no one struggled with storage. There is a limit to how much you want or need to take onto a flight after all.
Dining
When it comes to food and beverage choices, it really is worth being towards the front of the plane.
On the London to Colombo route, I checked in on the late side and was assigned seat 7G. This meant I had no choice by the time they got to me. On the return journey, I was in row two and the world was my oyster, so to speak.
On this long haul flight, you’ll get two meals, a dinner and a breakfast or a lunch and lighter snack. The main meals have three courses and a Sri Lankan or “British” option.
As you can see from the menu, there’s quite a range of drinks but this isn’t an airline that dives deep into the world of sommeliers and cocktails.
Instead, the range is in the Sri Lankan cuisine, all served beautifully on white cotton tablecloths with real salt and pepper shakers and proper metal cutlery.
Facilities and Amenities
On this A330-300, the lavatories were fine, with mouthwash and lotion (no clear brand) and a toothbrush and toothpaste provided. I’ll never get over the strange sensation of reviewing toilets at 35,000 feet but while these were fine, they weren’t the mini sanctuaries I’ve found on other business class routes.
They do provide an amenities kit, with socks, sleep mask, lotion and toothbrush and toothpaste in a zipped case. And while you do get a blanket and pillow, it’s not the duvets that some airlines offer and you need to bring your own pyjamas.
Service Style
It’s slightly difficult to write this but I feel as though I had two very distinct experiences. The route Colombo – London was as you’d expect business class cabin crew to behave: friendly, professional and welcoming.
On my outgoing route, it felt as though something had gone wrong. A crew member was arguing with a passenger for the whole boarding experience (said passenger was asking to swap to the unoccupied window seat because the glare from her neighbour’s TV screen was likely to trigger a migraine; the reply was that staff used that chair to sleep in and that they would not swap.)
This meant that no one received welcome drinks and the flight attendant seemed in a bad mood for the rest of the trip. Meals were slammed down, spilling and staining, drinks (including water) forgotten about and, well, I never did learn where the crew slept or what happened about the migraine.
What can we make of this? Perhaps it was simple bad luck. As I say, we had none of those problems on the way back.
And the business class offering here is a solid mid-range product, rather than the ultra luxury from, say, flying business with Cathay Pacific.
I’ve heard mixed reviews from other travel writers, so for this review, I suppose we’ll just say that the cabin set up is reliable and that service may vary.
The Serendib Lounge in Colombo
At Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lankan Airlines business class passengers can unwind in the dedicated Serendib Lounge. It’s not vast, but it’s clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully managed. The Wi-Fi works well, there’s a good buffet and bar service (no DIY drinks here), and a shower room for freshening up after the tropical humidity outside.
Staff in teal saris even come to find you when boarding begins, so there is no need to keep checking the screens. It’s a lovely personal touch and one of those rare reminders that air travel can still feel human.
There’s no kids’ area, which is something to bear in mind for families, but for solo travellers or couples, it’s a perfectly calm space to wait for your next leg – whether that’s a direct flight back to London or a connection via Colombo to Melbourne.
And for flight spotters. The huge windows are a treat.
The Return Journey: Colombo to London
The return flight to London began with the familiar comfort of a hot towel and a glass of champagne. This time, the experience felt smoother, relaxing and glorious.
Dinner arrived promptly, again featuring the signature curry as the main course, followed by tea and smiles from the cabin crew. The flat seats worked well for sleep, and as dawn approached, the cabin filled with soft light and the comforting arrival of freshly brewed tea.
This was the business class experience you want.
The Flight Review Verdict
To sum it all up, Sri Lankan Airlines business class provides a service that sits somewhere between luxury and nostalgia.
Sri Lankan’s business class cabins on the Airbus A330-300 and A330-200 aircraft aren’t the flashiest when it comes to design, but they’re comfortable enough for longer flights. The fully flat seats, usually good service, and thoughtful touches make for a solid business class experience.
In short, Sri Lankan’s business class may not be the most high-tech in the skies, but it offers respite for the long haul flight between Colombo and London.
Practical Details
- Route: London Heathrow (LHR) – Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Flight Numbers UL 504 and UL 503
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-300 (also operates A330-200 aircraft)
- Seat layout: 1-2-1 configuration, fully flat seats
- Best seats: Rows 2–4 for quieter cabin and quicker service; choose a window seat for privacy
- Lounges: One World Lounge at Heathrow; Serendib Lounge in Colombo
- Alliance: oneworld (partners include Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, American Airlines)
- Extras: oneworld Emerald members receive additional benefits
- Website: www.srilankan.com
More Business Class Reviews
- The British Airways Business Class Review
- BA’s New Club Suite in Review
- The Cathay Pacific Business Class Review
- Virgin Atlantic Business Class Review
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