We are planning a trip to Sri Lanka. We will fly to Colombo from Bangkok, which is listed as a less than four-hour flight. Normally we'd buy coach for flight of this length, but have been considering business class on Sri Lankan Airlines since the price is not too, too high. Thai also flies this route, but the flight times do not work with our itinerary.
We assume the primary benefits of buying business class would be extra luggage allowance and lounge access (since what we read online indicates that many of Sri Lankan Airlines planes on these short routes do not have new equipment with an updated business class cabin). Much of what we read online seems to suggest that Sri Lankan Airlines flights are often delayed or cancelled. We are assuming that, should this happen, having business class tickets might ensure that we are re-booked first (hopefully causing the least impact to our trip).
Has anyone flown coach or business class on Sri Lankan Airlines from Bangkok to Colombo recently (or another short haul flight)? We would be grateful for advice on whether it would be worth it to pay a bit more for business over economy in this case. Thank you so much!
Sri Lankan Airlines - business class or economy class?
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Currently, the two evening flights show 340-300 while the early morning flight is a 330-200. Both medium- to long-haul aircraft. While they may not be most updated flat beds, from the photos on airliners.net, they look quite decent. Previously generation long-haul recliners with about 55-in pitch is my guess. Much better than the typical domestic First Class in N. America or Intra-Europe business class.
best of luck for your trip.
Thank you for your replies. If you have flown business class on Sri Lankan, could you comment on whether the lounges are worth the added cost (in case of delay especially)? Are the seats on the old aircraft (not updated) similar to Thai business class on old planes? Many thanks again.
My wife and I flew to the UK via Columbo on Economy which was ok as on the way out the aircraft was quite empty. I did enquire as to the cost of an upgrade which was $200 each for each leg. We could not book the UK leg and had to check when we got to Columbo. We did and they were all gone. The UK leg was not good. Very busy and cramped. It was also full on the return but we did manage to upgrade to business for $200 each from Columbo to Bangkok. It was great. The seats were comparable with Club on BA to be honest but did not lie flat. The food and service was superb. It was well worth it. We are are going home next year and I have just checked and Sri Lankan are doing a business trip to the UK from Bangkok for £1200 which is great compared to £2700 with BA. You also get use of the Business Lounge in Columbo. I would say "go for it".