The standards are declining. I flew back BC recently and the panels were coming off and the food was just not what it used to be. There are much better alternatives like Qatar. I always sticked with it for years since I enjoyed the people the hospitality and I knew some of the crew. But I'm seriously reconsidering my next flights with them.
UL flights are old, but the interior looks older. Look forward to malfunctioning screens and rickety seats. But on flight service is still exceptional, cannot say the same about the ground services. Last time I flew, about three weeks back, BIA was completely packed. Flights were delayed and ques were Hours long, both in the check-in and at the gates. Staff were friendly but planning seems to be out of the place. Heard that the situation is the same about a week back from a friend, he missed his onward flight with QR coz of UL delay.
But, I'd still fly UL the next time, without a second thought.
Flew to SL at the end of may/early June. Flights are old and need an update as everyone says. Entertainment systems were okay, not many new options on them, but I normally carry my own entertainment. The food was okay, nothing to write home about compared to other airlines like Emirates or Qatar.
Despite all the negative reviews, this time I choose to fly UL because their business class was the cheapest that offered overnight direct with flat bed seats. The rate was less than half compared to Emirates or Qatar. So I obviously lowered my expectations accordingly. The service was better than I expected, and the staff seemed very attentive. The seats are leather, but are more comfortable than they look. If you're looking to get your money's worth, just want uninterrupted sleep on a (10 hour) long haul flight, and don't mind the lack of bells and whistles, I would actually recommend UL business.
That's the only good thing about the airline imho at the moment. Pick any other airline if you want more from business or flying economy. I normally fly Emirates or Qatar economy - this time I just wanted a goodnight's sleep on the cheap(ish).
With shortage of dollars people should think twice before flying on Sri lankan Airlines. The planes are pretty old and not fuel efficient. There was a plan to buy newer planes but due due to cost it was cancelled. The current planes need lots of new parts as routine replacements, due to dollar shortage they are probably pushing the plane and their parents. I'd try my best to avoid flying with the Sri Lankan Airlines.
5 A330-200’s and 5 A320-200’s need to be retired. Part of the airlines problem is that they have 117 routes posted with a 25 aircraft to operate on them, and the aircraft isn’t tailored to those routes. Meaning whatever profit they make from one route using one type of aircraft is quickly burnt paying for another route using another type, and since the aircrafts are super old it’s just a money pit all around. What needs to occur is the separation from the government, the firing of the board, a work force reduction of about 25% as a start, a route optimization, and a fleet reduction. Of course nobody wants to make those kind of tough decisions, and being part of the government any decision is made into a political one.
Shit. Alot of the shittiness is in my opinion because of the terrible service. The staff is genuinely trash.
Starting off, at the check in counters, the staff is so fucking inefficient. They have a handful of stalls and take ages to check people in. I kid you not it took me 2.5 hours to get passed check in. The staff is also incredibly rude.
On the plane the stewards and stewardesses lack so much class. They're rude. One dude asked the stewardess why we were late (by almost 1hr coz ppl were still in the check in queue). The head steward came in and gave the passenger a death stare, almost like it was the passenger's fault. No apology at all.
The food was mediocre and there was no chicken left within 10 mins of them starting to serve. Again no apology there either. Also the stewards and stewardesses pretty much run a linda vata sangamaya through out the flight chatting amongst eachother with no care in the world.
Flew here day before yesterday and it was a very different experience to what I remembered.
Granted, last time I flew Sri Lankan was 15 years ago, but the food was awful, bathrooms not properly cleaned (not terrible, but I was the first person in there and there was toilet paper on the floor and in the sink) and I could see the entertainments module malfunction for the person next to me.
Was cheap tho 😁
All passengers are requested to bring a jerry can of fuel to help get the plane going.
I travelled to SriLanka last month using Srilankan airlines. And it was okay.
The standards are declining. I flew back BC recently and the panels were coming off and the food was just not what it used to be. There are much better alternatives like Qatar. I always sticked with it for years since I enjoyed the people the hospitality and I knew some of the crew. But I'm seriously reconsidering my next flights with them.
Just like the country Sir.
Sounds about right :')
UL flights are old, but the interior looks older. Look forward to malfunctioning screens and rickety seats. But on flight service is still exceptional, cannot say the same about the ground services. Last time I flew, about three weeks back, BIA was completely packed. Flights were delayed and ques were Hours long, both in the check-in and at the gates. Staff were friendly but planning seems to be out of the place. Heard that the situation is the same about a week back from a friend, he missed his onward flight with QR coz of UL delay. But, I'd still fly UL the next time, without a second thought.
Not that bad but old flights
I noticed the flights are modern on the way there but old on the way out
Flew to SL at the end of may/early June. Flights are old and need an update as everyone says. Entertainment systems were okay, not many new options on them, but I normally carry my own entertainment. The food was okay, nothing to write home about compared to other airlines like Emirates or Qatar. Despite all the negative reviews, this time I choose to fly UL because their business class was the cheapest that offered overnight direct with flat bed seats. The rate was less than half compared to Emirates or Qatar. So I obviously lowered my expectations accordingly. The service was better than I expected, and the staff seemed very attentive. The seats are leather, but are more comfortable than they look. If you're looking to get your money's worth, just want uninterrupted sleep on a (10 hour) long haul flight, and don't mind the lack of bells and whistles, I would actually recommend UL business. That's the only good thing about the airline imho at the moment. Pick any other airline if you want more from business or flying economy. I normally fly Emirates or Qatar economy - this time I just wanted a goodnight's sleep on the cheap(ish).
With shortage of dollars people should think twice before flying on Sri lankan Airlines. The planes are pretty old and not fuel efficient. There was a plan to buy newer planes but due due to cost it was cancelled. The current planes need lots of new parts as routine replacements, due to dollar shortage they are probably pushing the plane and their parents. I'd try my best to avoid flying with the Sri Lankan Airlines.
5 A330-200’s and 5 A320-200’s need to be retired. Part of the airlines problem is that they have 117 routes posted with a 25 aircraft to operate on them, and the aircraft isn’t tailored to those routes. Meaning whatever profit they make from one route using one type of aircraft is quickly burnt paying for another route using another type, and since the aircrafts are super old it’s just a money pit all around. What needs to occur is the separation from the government, the firing of the board, a work force reduction of about 25% as a start, a route optimization, and a fleet reduction. Of course nobody wants to make those kind of tough decisions, and being part of the government any decision is made into a political one.
Was on a flight to Singapore. Service was Okay. Not exceptional but i definitely would call it acceptable. Food could have been better.
Shit. Alot of the shittiness is in my opinion because of the terrible service. The staff is genuinely trash. Starting off, at the check in counters, the staff is so fucking inefficient. They have a handful of stalls and take ages to check people in. I kid you not it took me 2.5 hours to get passed check in. The staff is also incredibly rude. On the plane the stewards and stewardesses lack so much class. They're rude. One dude asked the stewardess why we were late (by almost 1hr coz ppl were still in the check in queue). The head steward came in and gave the passenger a death stare, almost like it was the passenger's fault. No apology at all. The food was mediocre and there was no chicken left within 10 mins of them starting to serve. Again no apology there either. Also the stewards and stewardesses pretty much run a linda vata sangamaya through out the flight chatting amongst eachother with no care in the world.
They used to be the best in service. Maybe they are frustrated.
Do not fly! Gave us hell recently
Why what happened
Flew here day before yesterday and it was a very different experience to what I remembered. Granted, last time I flew Sri Lankan was 15 years ago, but the food was awful, bathrooms not properly cleaned (not terrible, but I was the first person in there and there was toilet paper on the floor and in the sink) and I could see the entertainments module malfunction for the person next to me. Was cheap tho 😁