Review: Colombo to Paris on Sri Lankan A330-200 international business class
I flew Sri Lankan Airlines' Airbus A330-200 service from Colombo to Paris, in business class. I'm not a big fan of lie-flat beds (that's fodder for another post), yet for a change, I slept decently well on the flight. Here's a review of the flight.
Index of posts
Review: Colombo to Paris on Sri Lankan A330-200 international business class
Review: Le Meridien Etoile, Paris
Review: Sri Lankan's lounge at Paris CDG
Review: Sri Lankan's lounge at Paris CDG
Review: Paris to Colombo on Sri Lankan A330-200 international business class
Flight review
CMB-CDG
UL563 | 11h 00m | 5273 miles | A330-200 | Business Class
We were called in to board at around 1.00 am, scheduled departure being 1.30 am local time in Colombo. We completed the security checks at the gate, and proceeded to the gate hold area to await departure. Unlike any other airline I've flown front cabin on, Sri Lankan (or at least, this particular flight) began the business class boarding well after economy class boarding commenced, so we were waiting for quite some time, actually!
We were invited for boarding after a few minutes. Sri Lankan uses two main aircraft variants for its long-haul routes - the A330-200 and the A330-300. The key difference is that the A332 has the older forward facing seats, while the A333 has the new reverse-herringbone seats. We were on the A332, featuring three rows of seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, for a total of 18 business class seats.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class cabin
Of the 18 seats in business class, 16 were taken up. Seats 3H and 3K remained empty, but I'll come to that later.
Each seat is in its own "shell", and is a fully lie-flat seat with a little over 6' 6" including the ottoman.
While the configuration in general, and the seats themselves, were clearly dated, the seat was surprisingly comfortable. The armrest featured the seat controls, while another panel by the side had the other controls for the lights, call button, etc.
In front of the seat there were cubby holes and storage areas, for personal items. Unlike most other airlines where such storage is provided closer to the seat or even in an enclosed space, I found UL's facilities a little too obvious for my liking and safety of my items!
Soon, one of the FAs came over offering a welcome drink - choices being water, fruit juice or champagne. I chose a champagne, though I was clear that this would be the first of only two glasses for this entire flight. I also requested for some water, which was promptly provided.
We were soon ready for departure, but not before a quick word on the flight, route, and some other technical specs from the captain (I note that the entire flight deck crew were of Sri Lankan origin). After a short taxi and roll, we were off towards Paris.
Once the seatbelt signs were turned off, Earphones, the crew came around distributing amenity kits (eye shades and socks had already been placed at the seat along with the pillows and blanket).
I love the colour of these kits - a nice bright orange - as well as the products from Crabtree & Evelyn (I remember Hilton used these in the mid 2000s for their in-hotel bath amenities).
And within a few minutes after that, it was time for dinner. The cabin crew had given out menus and taken dinner orders while we were on ground, and given the lateness of the hour, were keen to ensure that passengers were served the meal as soon as possible.
I chose the Pan Seared Salmon Steak.
Before dinner was served, there was another quick round of drinks, this time with salted cashewnuts.
And dinner was served soon after.
I didn't have any dessert, and decided to turn in for the night. Unfortunately, no bedding or turn-down service here. However, the seat controls were quite easy to handle, and the seat was a fully flat one, so I had no trouble in getting to sleep on the flight.
Coming to the point on seats 3H hand 3K - the last row business class window seats on the right of the aircraft. As I was getting to bed, there was some activity around that seat, and very soon, I saw this.
A curtain had been installed around those two seats, which remained in place until well after breakfast in the morning.
Upon inquiring, I was told that there were more crew on board than the crew rest areas could accommodate, so two of them were using these seats. Interesting! (And I'm not commenting on anything else!)
I woke up with a couple of hours to go before we landed, and was immediately offered a hot towel by the FA, who also took my breakfast order. They had loaded some Hindu meals as well, that were "off-menu", and I chose that version for breakfast.
The rather simple-looking breakfast was amazingly tasty - spinach omelet, chicken sausage, baked potatoes and a simply awesome side of curried mushroom.
Coffee and fruit followed, as a wrap-up to the service.
With just under an hour to go before landing, I decided to get some pictures of the cabin in better lighting than at the start of the flight.
Soon, we were somewhere over north of Paris...
...before finally touching down for our arrival at CDG Terminal 1, which Sri Lankan uses.
UL563 | 11h 00m | 5273 miles | A330-200 | Business Class
We were called in to board at around 1.00 am, scheduled departure being 1.30 am local time in Colombo. We completed the security checks at the gate, and proceeded to the gate hold area to await departure. Unlike any other airline I've flown front cabin on, Sri Lankan (or at least, this particular flight) began the business class boarding well after economy class boarding commenced, so we were waiting for quite some time, actually!
We were invited for boarding after a few minutes. Sri Lankan uses two main aircraft variants for its long-haul routes - the A330-200 and the A330-300. The key difference is that the A332 has the older forward facing seats, while the A333 has the new reverse-herringbone seats. We were on the A332, featuring three rows of seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, for a total of 18 business class seats.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class cabin
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class seat
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class cabin and seats
Each seat is in its own "shell", and is a fully lie-flat seat with a little over 6' 6" including the ottoman.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class seat
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class ottoman
While the configuration in general, and the seats themselves, were clearly dated, the seat was surprisingly comfortable. The armrest featured the seat controls, while another panel by the side had the other controls for the lights, call button, etc.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class seat controls
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class seat controls
In front of the seat there were cubby holes and storage areas, for personal items. Unlike most other airlines where such storage is provided closer to the seat or even in an enclosed space, I found UL's facilities a little too obvious for my liking and safety of my items!
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class seat storage
Soon, one of the FAs came over offering a welcome drink - choices being water, fruit juice or champagne. I chose a champagne, though I was clear that this would be the first of only two glasses for this entire flight. I also requested for some water, which was promptly provided.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class welcome drink
We were soon ready for departure, but not before a quick word on the flight, route, and some other technical specs from the captain (I note that the entire flight deck crew were of Sri Lankan origin). After a short taxi and roll, we were off towards Paris.
Once the seatbelt signs were turned off, Earphones, the crew came around distributing amenity kits (eye shades and socks had already been placed at the seat along with the pillows and blanket).
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class amenity kit and contents
I love the colour of these kits - a nice bright orange - as well as the products from Crabtree & Evelyn (I remember Hilton used these in the mid 2000s for their in-hotel bath amenities).
And within a few minutes after that, it was time for dinner. The cabin crew had given out menus and taken dinner orders while we were on ground, and given the lateness of the hour, were keen to ensure that passengers were served the meal as soon as possible.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class menu
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class menu
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class menu
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class menu
I chose the Pan Seared Salmon Steak.
Before dinner was served, there was another quick round of drinks, this time with salted cashewnuts.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class pre-dinner drink with salted cashewnuts
And dinner was served soon after.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class dinner
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class dinner
I didn't have any dessert, and decided to turn in for the night. Unfortunately, no bedding or turn-down service here. However, the seat controls were quite easy to handle, and the seat was a fully flat one, so I had no trouble in getting to sleep on the flight.
Coming to the point on seats 3H hand 3K - the last row business class window seats on the right of the aircraft. As I was getting to bed, there was some activity around that seat, and very soon, I saw this.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class enclosed seats 3H and 3K
A curtain had been installed around those two seats, which remained in place until well after breakfast in the morning.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class enclosed seats 3H and 3K
Upon inquiring, I was told that there were more crew on board than the crew rest areas could accommodate, so two of them were using these seats. Interesting! (And I'm not commenting on anything else!)
I woke up with a couple of hours to go before we landed, and was immediately offered a hot towel by the FA, who also took my breakfast order. They had loaded some Hindu meals as well, that were "off-menu", and I chose that version for breakfast.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class breakfast
The rather simple-looking breakfast was amazingly tasty - spinach omelet, chicken sausage, baked potatoes and a simply awesome side of curried mushroom.
Coffee and fruit followed, as a wrap-up to the service.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class breakfast
With just under an hour to go before landing, I decided to get some pictures of the cabin in better lighting than at the start of the flight.
Sri Lankan A330-200 business class cabin
Soon, we were somewhere over north of Paris...
View over Roissy prior to landing at CDG
CDG airport grounds
CDG airport grounds
...before finally touching down for our arrival at CDG Terminal 1, which Sri Lankan uses.
CDG Terminal 1
Overall impressions
The crew on this flight were simply amazing! The cockpit crew provided clear and timely updates on our flight status, without too much unnecessary information (which several pilots are guilty of, considering most of what's said isn't intelligible to the average flier). The cabin crew was spectacular - very responsive and timely with their service, without appearing intrusive in any way.I'm glad this flight turned out the way it did, and also that I'll be flying them on the way back. Sadly, that flight too will be on an A330-200. I'd have liked to fly the A330-300 with reverse herringbone seats, but then, I don't decide aircraft rotation!
I believe you meant Colombo to Paris and not 'Colombo to London' as in your first line.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! Corrected. What was I thinking!!! Thanks for pointing out...
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