What's SriLankan Airlines like today? MEL-CMB-LHR return on UL in Business Class.

[Austman]

Thanks for the report.
Do you (or does anyone…) know if the Limo & Transit Hotel inclusions also apply when the J seats are booked as part of a OWCA?

I think you'll have to ask SriLankan Airlines? [email protected] seems to be an email address where you should get a response.

The Transit Accommodation online information, in general, is here:

https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/transit-accommodation

That information does state: "Passengers should hold a SriLankan Airlines through ticket under a single booking reference to be eligible for this facility." And sets some fare and transit time requirements. I know that both J and Y pax can receive transit hotels if they meet the requirements.

You get transit hotel transport but it's not a limo service. It might be a shared mini-bus or a car. The transit hotels are always fairly near to CMB airport.

The actual limo service at LHR was a surprise for me. I was informed about it, by email from the above email address, only on the day of my departure from MEL. I think it's only offered at LHR so a Circle Asia fare would not be going to LHR?

 

[jase05]

The actual limo service at LHR was a surprise for me. I was informed about it, by email from the above email address, only on the day of my departure from MEL. I think it's only offered at LHR so a Circle Asia fare would not be going to LHR?

Yes, limo service is only to/from LHR, no other destinations. I remember this from when I was checking out options a few months ago. I also remember that in the T&C’s it did state that tickets had to be issued by UL but I can’t recall seeing anything about award seats

 

[Austman]

I also remember that in the T&C’s it did state that tickets had to be issued by UL but I can’t recall seeing anything about award seats

The link is here: https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/special-offers/limo-service

I didn't know that link existed until now!

I see that it states it's up to 30 miles from/to LHR. So that conflicts with the advice in my TR that it was up to 45 miles.

Perhaps it depends on the limo company booked, but in my emails/texts from the actual limo company, Addison Lee, they allowed up to 45 miles.

My longest trip, Reading Station to LHR T3, seems to be right on, or just under, 30 miles anyhow.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Here’s the link to T&Cs governing Transit Hotel & Meal Vouchers:

https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/transit-accommodation

 

[Scarlett]

@Austman your TR matches almost exactly my sentiments from a couple of J class trips with UL over the past few years (to CDG this year).

The service is always pleasant; I love the nice strong flavour of the tea served on board; curry and cricket on TV in the lounge is very appropriate; and then the transit hotel experience at CMB seems to be the greatest random factor. Waiting at every stage of the process for yet more paperwork is annoying.

Most recently we were allocated at Vivanta by Taj and it was fine. I note a QR crew were staying there also.

 

[Seat0B]

You'd think, that with a daily flight CMB-LHR, the gate passport/BP control staff would know better ...

Maybe they're in training to upgrade to working in QF's South African call centre????

 

[TAK]

Very comprehensive thankyou - I have flown that route twice this year (and 4 times in prior years CDG FRA open jaw etc) and can add the following FWIW - you can email UL and have the CMB stopover hotel confirmed in advance ( you still have to go through the circus at the airport to get all the stamps for the transfer) Vivanta is the one to sim for - there food is out of this world, especially if you like Sri Lankan, as you said the rooms are basic but excellent for sleeping ( note the hotel has some shops and massage services, the latter can be a bit , ahem embarrassing as some staff seek to increase their tips) it’s on a vast tract of land and there’s land next door so can do a lot of walking ( you can’t easily get to the beach as there’s a swamp and a freeway in the way
I found the soft product slightly lacking with crew walking endlessly back and forward and having to ask multiple times for things - hey but it’s tremendous value
Absolutely use Qantas First in MEL, the Serindip is fine ( my gripe is there are 10 recliners in the “rest” section and as I maintain a light/dark regime - it’s alway full of brats and their devices any everyone else as they’re the most comfortable seats - if you do get one you need to ask for a blanket as the temp is set at -10)
Lastly, once again thx for the great review and I’m totally blown away by the Limo - does anyone know how to arrange that - or is it invite only?? Cheers

 

[TAK]

PS make sure you get the QF numbers right on your ALL boarding passes - it’s an absolute nightmare sorting it later - I’m still waiting one leg - go figure ( and that missing let will probably tip me out of OWE

 

[jase05]

does anyone know how to arrange that - or is it invite only?? Cheers

Limo is for all J passengers that arrive or depart from LHR
From the T&C’s

 

[Austman]

SriLankan Airlines, UL, Colombo complimentary Transit Hotels (and other options) mini-review.

I've been offered a SriLankan Airlines complimentary Transit Hotel at Colombo eight(?) times now, so I know a bit about them and the process you need to go through at CMB airport.

SriLankan Airlines Transit Accommodation information, in general, is here:

https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/transit-accommodation

But don't necessarily expect any response to emails from UL. Even if you call them, they will only say that your Transit Hotel has been "requested". If you do get a response, you'll get an email titled "CPS Voucher CPSxx_xx_X from SriLankan Holidays" with all the details of your Transit Hotel.

With or without a voucher, on arrival at CMB you need to go to the air-side (before passport control) SriLankan Airlines Transfer/Transit Desk to either collect a voucher or to have your voucher stamped. You'll have your Transit Hotel details confirmed then.

Here is a CPS voucher sent by email:



And one you'd get at the UL air-side Transfer/Transit Desk:




With your voucher, you then go though CMB passport control and customs and then out into the arrivals hall.

In the arrivals hall you go to the SriLankan Airlines Colombo Stopover Counter. They will take your voucher and give you another one that you need to hand to the hotel check-in desk. And you'll possibly get a further voucher to hand to your transport driver.



Then you are told to wait in the general public waiting area for your transport to arrive. They'll come and find you. It might be a 5 minutes wait. It might be a 25 minutes wait. You might have to share the transport with other transit pax.

At the hotel you might receive meal vouchers to use in their restaurant. Or they might simply add them in their system against your room number.

Check-out time is 3 hours before your flight. The hotel will arrange/order your transport back to the airport.

The hotels you might get.

They are hit or miss in my experience! From 4 stars to 2 stars. Business Class does in general seem to get the better ones. But, as I found out on this trip, that's not guaranteed!

Here are some possibilities. They are all within 10 to 25 mins drive from the airport.

* Vivanta by Taj - Airport Garden
A solid 4 star hotel with good facilities. You'll probably get an unrenovated room but it's still pretty good.

* Jetwing Sea Hotel
The jackpot in my experience. A nice hotel right on Negombo Beach.

* Ramada by Wyndham
An OK hotel. Nothing special. I've had 3 or 4 stays here.

* Full Moon Garden
I have not stayed but it looks OK.

* Beacon Beach Hotel
A nice location on Negombo Beach but it's very much a 2 star hotel.


Some other options.

You might have to pay for them but they are an option:

Serenediva Airport Transit Hotel
You can avoid the hassle of passport control, customs and security by staying airside. It's OK but not great. Currently starting at USD $85.

Hotels in Negombo Beach
This is considered to be a pretty good area and it's close to the airport. The better hotels are pretty nice.

Hotels in Colombo city
If you have a long transit, there's some pretty good hotels in Colombo city. With more to see and do around them. It can be good if you have never been to Colombo.

Stay in the lounge
If in Business Class, the Serendib Lounge (I earlier typo-ed SenendiP a couple of times) allows quite long transit visits. It has a darkened "relax" room with recliners. And there are showers. But it's still a lounge.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Cracking fare! I saw the 33% off but was unable to make it work for my recent trip.

 

[Magoo]

Very interesting TR.

Did you need a Sri Lankan visa?

 

[Austman]

Did you need a Sri Lankan visa?

You need a transit visa (ETA). They are for a transit stay of up to 2 days and are free. They seem to get, at least for me, an almost instant online approval.

As per the SriLankan Airlines Transit Accommodation information link, that can be done here:

www.eta.gov.lk

You also need to fill out a short arrivals card. Part of that card wants your address in Sri Lanka. So you need to know your transit hotel first (I guess?).