SriLankan Airlines

DXB-CMB CMB-BKK in Business Class. Crew great in terms of service and attitude. Seat older style cradle but comfortable enough for flight times. Food service on the trolley and it was fine. Regular drinks service during the flight. Arrived on time at both stations.

FRA-CMB in Business. The flight time was changed a few days before departure and arrival in Colombo was almost 2 hours later than previously scheduled. The airline scheduled for a stopover in Dubai to pick up other passengers. Why - because the flight from Frankfurt was almost empty and it probably was loss-making. Nevertheless the airline marketed the flight as a "nonstop". Its station-manager refused any compensation. Airbus 340 was very worn out and the business class as old as it can get. Not to be recommended.

CMB-LHR prompt departure (having had a 5 hour delay in the earlier flight out of LHR). Check in line very slow and tedious online check in empty! A340 (new A330 stated on booking) with usual out of date IFE. Smiling crew onboard good meal. Prompt answering of call bells and frequent juice/water offered. Good breakfast.

LHR to MLE Economy. Check-in at Heathrow open four hours departure and for web check-in there were no queues for baggage drop. Internet check-in is supposed to open 48 hours before the flight and when I flew was still not open 12 hours after this time (ie. 36 hours before the flight) – a phone call to their reservations centre produced the information that check-in was not working (IT problem) but they were willing to reserve my preferred seat for the way out and way back in one weeks time. Drinks served after take-off followed by a reasonable meal and then lights out. Because the flight was only one quarter full we could spread out. Unfortunately not all the armrests could be lifted so I had to wriggle a bit to get comfortable but it was far better than sleeping upright. Inflight entertainment old seat back non AVOD and the choice of films was poor. Breakfast edible if you were hungry. They came round with the duty free trolley before we landed at Male selling all sorts of alcohol but they did not mention that you are not allowed to import alcohol into the Maldives – if you bought any on the plane (which I did not) it would have been confiscated on arrival. They also gave out landing cards for Sri Lanka (final stop) but not the Maldives where most passengers got off and then had to fill landing cards in at passport control. On the way back the flight was only 1/3rd full and once doors were closed we could again spread out. Service relaxed and attentive as the way out meal and film choice almost exactly the same. Although planes were a little old and showing internal wear I enjoyed both flights.

LHR-CMB A340. Delayed out but meal vouchers and written apology given. Chaotic boarding procedure but smiling welcome onboard by crew. Clean but outdated aircraft and IFE. Comfortable seat good bar service with nibbles 2 full meal services. Food range good but too spicy. Friendly efficient crew . Prompt baggage arrival in CMB.

We had an appalling experience flying with Sri Lankan and would advise families flying with infants to not fly this airline. We bought premium economy seats and reserved a bassinet seat. When we came to check in we had been bumped down to economy. We were offered no refund and were told there were no bassinet seats in premium economy. When we boarded the plane we found that there were bassinet seats and asked to be moved to them. We were told no because they didn't want an infant in premium economy disturbing the other passengers. We were forced to move to economy seats and to this day (we flew in February) we still have not received a refund. They also managed to loose our pram despite the fact that it was taken to the airplane door. As a result we missed our internal connecting flight and had to wait for 4 hours at Male airport with an extremely tired baby and no pram. When we eventually got our pram back (5 days into our holiday) it was badly damaged. We have written to Sri Lankan airlines and not had a reply and we sent the complaint eight weeks ago.

CMB-KUL surprised they are using an A340 for this route that continuous to SIN but was less than 50% empty. Service good food well presented but tasteless. Plane was old with old IFE and seats that needed refurbishing. I would use then again only if the price will be great.

London Heathrow to Male in Business Class. We boarded with ease and took our seats in row 3. Dinner was served shortly after take off and UL have this annoying habit of serving you from a trolley that is laden (to a point) with several options for you to choose and they'll plate it up for you. It took 1 hour to reach our seats (only row 3) admittedly we were the last to be served but what was left of the food was cold and not very appealing. Breakfast was just as poor. The seat is an old cradle seat they are switching in the future to flat seats. IFE was poor and I could hardly see a picture on it. The worst part for me on this overnight flight was that the crew had stowed their bags directly over my head when trying to sleep they did try to not disturb me but failed on every attempt so very disappointing and not worth the money to upgrade from Economy.

HKG-BKK-HKG economy. Flight departure delayed for 2 hours without explanation from the crew. Service was OK cabin crew pleasant and professional enough. Plane showed signs of age (frayed seat covers peeling carpets) IFE OK for a short flight although would be nice to have more varieties similar to CX SQ etc. Good value for money. Food okay but felt that more beverage selection could be available. Inflight magazine OK but should have more substance rather than ads.

Male-Colombo. Business Class was simple no entertainment system but seats comfortable. However after take-off they let some kid (screening in excitement) from economy class run up and down the aisle which was bothering. Stewardess did not respond to my request and let the kid continue for the entire flight.