So, Fresh off a SriLankan Airlines flight from Colombo and gearing up for my next leg. Surprisingly, transit here is a breeze—no lengthy security checks between flights, just straight into the terminal and off to my gate when it’s time.
But let’s take a step back and talk about long-haul flights. We all know about ultra-long-haul routes like Singapore to New York, but what about the longest flight ever by duration? That record actually belongs to Sri Lanka, and today, as I fly SriLankan’s A330 Business Class, we’ll dive into the fascinating history of aviation in this country.
A Quick Airport Layover
Bandaranaike International Airport is a mix of old and new. The terminal dates back to 1967, with expansions still ongoing (originally planned for 2020, but now looking at a 2025 finish). I spent some time in the Serendib Lounge, which, to be honest, was underwhelming for a flagship lounge—decent food, comfortable enough, but basically just one square room.
How Sri Lanka Became a Key Player in Aviation
Back in 1934, the Colombo Flying Club was founded, and the country’s first aerodrome opened in 1938. By 1942, World War II changed everything when Singapore fell to Japan, disrupting Qantas’ Kangaroo Route from Australia to London. To keep things moving, a new route was established: Perth to Galle, Sri Lanka, using the PBY Catalina. This flight, known as the Double Sunrise Service, took over 28 hours and was the longest commercial flight in history, hitting 32 hours and 9 minutes at its peak. Imagine seeing the sunrise twice before landing!
After the war, Sri Lanka built its own aviation legacy. Air Ceylon launched flights to London in 1949, later evolving into AirLanka and eventually SriLankan Airlines, which today serves 48 destinations with 30 airlines.
Boarding Chaos & First Impressions
Now, back to my flight. Security at the gate caught me off guard (thought I was done with that!), and the waiting area was not great. Think old, windowless, crowded space—like a movie theater lobby from the ‘90s that never got a refresh. Boarding was a mess, with Business Class being called last—only for everyone to end up on the same bus anyway.
Once on board, though, things took a turn for the better. I was in seat 1A, and despite hearing horror stories about the condition of SriLankan’s Business Class cabins, my experience was surprisingly good. The 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout felt spacious, similar to what you’d find on Cathay Pacific’s A330s. For the price? A steal.
Affordable Luxury
One of the biggest draws of SriLankan’s Business Class is how cheap it can be. Frequent flyers have known for years that you can get one-way fares for under $500 and round trips from $700. For those chasing Oneworld status, it’s an absolute bargain, offering plenty of British Airways Tier Points.
The crew on this flight was fantastic—a stark contrast from my previous one. Instead of snapping at passengers for taking photos, they actually offered to take pictures for us.
Food & Entertainment
Dinner started shortly after takeoff, with cashews and a drink service to kick things off. The meal itself was solid:
- Starter: Mini mezze platter with moutabel, tabbouleh, and grilled paneer (meh, the paneer was grainy).
- Main: Masala marinated and stuffed chicken breast with saffron lentil rice—really good!
- Dessert: Opera cake with vanilla sauce (just okay).
Overall, an 8.2/10 for the main dish, while the starter and dessert hovered around 5/10.
Entertainment was better than expected, with 132 movies, a good moving map, and a responsive screen. The headphones were fine, nothing fancy, and the bathrooms were clean and well-maintained.
So, is SriLankan a world-class airline? No. But does it offer great value for money? Absolutely. For Business Class at these prices, with a lie-flat seat and decent service, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat.