My short flight from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur onboard SriLankan’s new A321neo was pleasant, even with the frequent disruption of a roaming child.
When I departed from (CMB), I noticed a huge line of cars waiting to get back into the airport, stretching miles down the airport access road. Every car entering the airport is searched. Thus, I left the Shangri-La three hours in advance, simply to ensure I had more than enough time to deal with any security checkpoints I might encounter.
That turned out to be more than enough time, but I am still glad I did not leave it to chance. Not only was the Uber checked, but I went through two security checkpoints before reaching the check-in desk. It took about 20 minutes, but that was at 6:00AM.
After checking-in and being stamped out of the country, I spent about an hour in the Serendib Lounge, which I’ve reviewed before. It was really crowded, though there was no wait for a free massage.
> Read More: SriLankan Serendib Lounge Colombo (CMB) Review
I walked to the gate about an hour before takeoff and found a huge security queue at the gate with no separate line for business class. 20 minutes later and I was finally sitting in the departure gate, waiting to board. We ended up boarding only about 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure, but still left on time.
SriLankan (UL) 314
Colombo (CMB) – Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Monday, July 08
Depart: 07:40 AM
Arrive: 02:00 PM
Duration: 3hr, 50min
Distance: 1,534 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo
Seat: 03F (Business Class)
Onboard, two flight attendants bowed and greeted me, then after examining my boarding pass, pointed out my seat in row three.
SriLankan A321neo Business Class Seats
Business class offers four rows of 2-2 seating for a total of 16 seats. Legroom and recline is very generous and a footrest extends to provide additional support. While still by no means a lie-flat seat, I find it is possible to sleep on these sorts of seats.
Each seat was equipped with a power port and USB charging port as well as on-demand IFE.
A pillow and blanket were also waiting on the seat.
It was a beautiful morning as we took.
SriLankan A321neo Business Class Meal + Beverage
With a flight time of only three hours, I knew there would not be a leisurely five-course meal, but even on China Airlines I wasn’t served this fast!
Menus were handed out before takeoff (and also viewable on the monitor), orders were taken, and meals were delivered less than five minutes after takeoff! I’ve never been served so quickly on plane, even on domestic flights in Germany!
Breakfast was served on one tray. I chose the omelet, which was served with fruit, yogurt, and choice of breakfast bread. The omelet was filled with cheese and an aromatic herb sauce and really hit the spot. Also on the plate was a cooked tomato, mushrooms, a fried potato wedge, and some sort of sausage that I did not touch.
Trays were cleared away about 25 minutes in the flight, leaving 2.5 hours to sit and be entertained…
SriLankan A321neo Business Class IFE
The on-demand in-flight-entertainment system included something novel…magazines. Movies, TV shows, games, music, and a moving map were also available. And of course the menu.
Pictures of the A330 business class kept popping up; an annoying reminder that my flight was originally scheduled for a A330-300 but swapped to an A321neo at the last minute.
Noise cancelling headphones were bulky, but blocked some outside noise.
SriLankan A321neo Business Class Amenities
While amenity kits were not distributed, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an eyeshade were offered from a basket.
SriLankan A321neo Business Class Lavatory
I visited the lavatory after breakfast and found it clean and well-stocked. There were more dental kits as well as shaving kits, mouthwash, and Acca Kappa aftershave oil.
SriLankan A321neo Business Class Service
You may have read about the little guy on my flight who could not stay in his seat. I won’t rehash that here except to invite you to read about it below.
> Read More: The Little Maniac On My Flight
> Read More: Rethinking The Unruly Child On My Flight
The crew was friendly enough, though had to be flagged down for additional drinks. I would have appreciated a bit more proactive approach. At one point (with two hours still to go in the flight), I asked for water and was just handed a bottle.
Still, the two ladies working first class were all smiles and quite friendly. I enjoyed a mint tea before landing.
CONCLUSION
As we landed in Kuala Lumpur, we passed what appeared to be an old Saudia 747-400. We taxied up to the gate and thankfully had an jetbridge waiting for us.
While there wasn’t anything fantastic on my flight to KUL, I appreciate the hearty breakfast and (relatively) comfortable seats. I would not hesitate to fly SriLankan again. Next time, I hope to avoid an aircraft swap at the last-minute!
Just eyeballing it it looks more like a 747-200 than a -400.
Agreed.
According to your menu pic, the “some sort” of sausage was lamb.
Not sure that Saudia Jumbo Jet you spotted after you landed in Singapore is a 747-400 as you described – as the door on a 747-400’s upper deck is in the middle of the upper deck, whereas here it is at the front, just behind the cockpit. The plane looks a bit too long to be a 747-SP, so it may be a 747-100 or 747-200. The 747-300 is a bit longer still, and has a door arrangement similar to the 747-400 or 747-8.
Apropos your report on the troubled kid on Air Lanka, the worst behaved kids I’ve ever seen in an airport have been in the Serendip Lounge: running riot, completely out of control, unsupervised or sanctioned. Perhaps it was partly ‘cultural difference ‘ but more likely just privileged brats. Seen it multiple times there.
Isn’t that one of the abandoned planes in KUL? I remember seeing these planes for years standing there.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35043937
“While still by no means a lie-flat seat, I find it is possible to sleep on these sorts of seats.”
But in your First Impressions of Icelandair’s 767 business class, you say:
“At the same time, I simply cannot sleep on this kind of seat”
Is Srilankan’s recliner seat that much better than Icelandair’s when it comes to sleeping? Even though it’s pretty much the same seat. Unless you meant to say it’s an ok seat for napping on shorter regional flights.