SriLankan Airlines brings new business class to Melbourne

By Chris C., September 14 2018
SriLankan Airlines brings new business class to Melbourne

Passengers jetting between Melbourne and Colombo with SriLankan Airlines will find the carrier’s newest business class seats at the pointy end from late October, with fully-flat beds and direct aisle access for every traveller.

From October 28, SriLankan’s daily Airbus A330-200 flight will switch to the Airbus A330-300, transforming the business class experience from this, with angled seats in a 2-2-2 layout…

… to this – a more favourable 1-2-1 configuration, with 180-degree lie-flat beds, based on the popular Cirrus seat as also appears on airlines like Cathay Pacific:

That’ll prove most useful on the leg from Colombo to Melbourne (UL604), which departs just after midnight to reach Melbourne mid-afternoon, but the A330-300 also brings with it inflight WiFi, likely to prove popular when travelling out of Melbourne on UL605 in the afternoons.

Jumping online costs US$25 for unlimited time and data on that flight, although if it’s just a quick email you need to send, US$4 gets you connected for 20 minutes, with other packages costing US$8 for one hour or US$15 for three hours.

While the more favourable Airbus A330-300 occasionally appears in Melbourne’s skies, this change makes that a daily occurrence, with a spokesperson for SriLankan Airlines advising Australian Business Traveller that this would continue "indefinitely" on flights to Melbourne, despite flights scheduled from March 31 2019 continuing to display the A330-200 in reservation systems.

As a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, Qantas Frequent Flyer cardholders can earn Qantas Points and status credits on eligible SriLankan Airlines fares, redeem Qantas Points on SriLankan flights and enjoy the usual benefits of their status, such as access to the Qantas First Lounge in Melbourne for Platinum-grade members and other Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers before SriLankan Airlines flights.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.

04 May 2018

Total posts 43

Great,CMB is exactly half way between Australia and Europe so makes a perfect stopover or just to change'planes if the times are right.

Beach resort hotels close to the airport if you want a break and third world prices with a democratic government!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Sep 2012

Total posts 235

"Democratic government"

04 May 2018

Total posts 43

Elections to get a new PM unlike some countries!

22 Jan 2018

Total posts 100

I love this airline, cabin crew very warm

11 May 2018

Total posts 11

Wow, great news Chris thanks for the update, Not to mention, lack of fuel surcharges with UL this will be a great alternative to use QF points to get away to Asia or Europe. Quick question though, Do you know how many award seats UL generally release per flight? is it too hard to redeem two business class seats as a couple? many thanks.

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2449

Hi Zapz, as a Brisbane resident it's not something I've really looked into, but as SriLankan Airlines award flights can be booked via the Qantas website, you'll be able to see for yourself by searching for flights.

11 May 2018

Total posts 11

Thanks for the response. Yes, that's right, I was able to find a single business class availability most of the time through the Qantas website but never, two seats. Perhaps, UL only releases one award seat per flight hmm.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Jun 2018

Total posts 2

I often see three reward seats on Sri Lankan airlines so they def release pairs.

11 May 2018

Total posts 11

thanks for the reply, would you mind asking how early do you search?

Thanks

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2014

Total posts 100

A favourite Airline , I always order their Sri Lankan Breakfast
Its great.You can get some great fares ex CMB .Worth taking a positioning flight to CMB and buying a single ticket from CMB back to Australia
Good Status runs as well CMB -Singapore 80 QF sc etc

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

20 Jul 2018

Total posts 16

The older style business class on their 332s is fully flat not angled flat. That photo just shows the seats in various degrees of recline but they do go fully flat. However they are slightly odd seats (you feel quite exposed and weirdly high up when in bed mode) so the A333 product will be a very welcome upgrade.


I agree with comments about UL being a great airline - really, really lovely cabin staff, excellent service and delicious food. And yep, I'm another fan of the Sri Lankan breakfast, and the crew act almost as if it's a compliment when a Westerner selects the Sri Lankan breakfast option :)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2014

Total posts 100

Sri Lankan have great fares ex CMB
Eg Colombo -Melbourne UL then QF to Syd for $1590 next March one way

I can’t purchase tickets departing from MEL but booking flights into MEL has no issues. Very odd.


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