Best Seat Sri Lankan In Biz? Any Clue?

[alyx]

Hey

Would anyone care to comment on the best seats for the long haul?

I feel like the middle lane is more convenient for a couple ( or am I wrong thinjing that they are more spacious than the one on the aisles? ) but what about the front or the back row?

There is a bassinet at the front

[AyG]

The best business class seats with Sri Lankan are with a totally different airline. See the comments on my experiences at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/591778-srilankan-airlines-again/

You don't say where you're flying, but flying BKK-CMB-LHR and back in October I experienced (read "suffered") three totally different configurations - and only the outward bound CMB-LHR was half decent. Entertainment system, poor; food, dire; seats not up to par.

[jimyoung]

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

[smokie36]

There's a trip report thread pinned at the top of the forum.

I'm sure many of us would value your contribution.

[Mosha]

Try seatguru.com

[lomatopo]

Best to check to routing to get a feel for equipment. I'm guessing a 330 to CMB, a 340 longer haul?

http://seatexpert.com/seatmap/549/SriLankan_Airlines_Airbus_340-300/

http://seatmaestro.com/airplanes-seat-maps/srilankan-airlines-airbus-a340-300-config-2.html

[alyx]

Thanks every one

Seat guru ....no real info

As a matter of fact I was not aware that there were different planes on the same routes (depends on the day one is flying)

Hey Aig I know but there are so many conflicting reports about it that it is hard to judge . in any case the flights are booked and I guess it is worth trying them for the price of an economy, don't you think? (I hope...)

I am flying some time Bkk-Paris in June so plenty of time to adjust the choice of the seats

DIRECT FLIGHTS:

Wed,Fri 01:15 Colombo (CMB) 08:15 Charles De Gaulle, Paris (CDG) 1

UL 563 Non-stop Airbus A330-200 (332) 10:30 Effective from 2013-04-03

Return

Sat 14:30 Charles De Gaulle, Paris (CDG) 1 05:15 Colombo (CMB)

UL 564 Non-stop Airbus A340-300 (343) 11:15 Effective from 2013-04-06

The flight arrives 1 day after departure.

If the 330 are that bad I will consider changing the date of the outbound but from what I s told in Bkk the planes are all flat seats equipped (???)

Actually, for those interested this the link I have just found to identify the planes by their flight numbers

http://info.flightmapper.net/search

Edited December 9, 2012 by alyx

[alyx]

Lomatopo

Thanks for the second link

I have changed for the aisle according to their layout but still wait for more insights on the long haul

Edited December 9, 2012 by alyx

[Chivas]

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

Why do you believe you'll be given a Hotel Room ??

Surely its your choice to having a connection flight of 13 hours ??

[nisakiman]

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

Why do you believe you'll be given a Hotel Room ??

Surely its your choice to having a connection flight of 13 hours ??

Not necessarily. I've had 12 hr + overnight stopovers in Bahrain twice, and on both occasions been given hotel room including evening meal and breakfast. And that was flying economy. Cheapest ticket I could find.

[WilliaminBKK]

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

Why do you believe you'll be given a Hotel Room ??

Surely its your choice to having a connection flight of 13 hours ??

Some M/E airlines offer overnight hotel for long connections, you have to really read the t/c's before booking. When looking google "airline" transit hotels or XX airline transit accommodation policy. You have to dig deep but it's there. There are probably more I just did this as an example.

Emirates

http://www.emirates.com/english/plan_book/essential_information/dubai-connect/dubai-connect.aspx

Etihad

Does Not Offer Service the service

Qatar Airways

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/transit-accommodation.page

Gulf Air

http://www.gulfair.com/English/info/TravelInformation/Pages/Transit-in-Bahrain.aspx

[endure]

Sri Lanka is south of the Indian sub continent - not in the Middle East...

[AyG]

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

If, when you check in, you ask them to check you in as far as CMB you'll get it back. However, you'll then need to recheck in for the next leg of your journey. Also that means that you'll have to get a transit permit, which can be done on-line and for free.

I understand that the hotels used by Sri Lankan are usually away from the airport - sometimes a 45 minutes drive away, and not great quality. When I flew back in October I was accommodated in the air-side hotel, though I don't know if this is always the case for business class passengers.

Incidentally (to the naysayers), it's Sri Lankan's policy to offer an hotel room to all passengers with a connection of 8 hours and more.

[jimyoung]

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

Why do you believe you'll be given a Hotel Room ??

Surely its your choice to having a connection flight of 13 hours ??

I know that i get a hotel room because i read other reviews before i booked saying any stop over of more than 8 hours a room will be provided and you can't access the biz class lounge at least 8 hours before departure.

Yes, It was my choice to have a connection of 13 hours, I wouldn't of booked the flight without knowing a room would be provided.

[alyx]

Now that the problem is settled could we come back to the topic?

[Mosha]

Thanks every one

Seat guru ....no real info

As a matter of fact I was not aware that there were different planes on the same routes (depends on the day one is flying)

Hey Aig I know but there are so many conflicting reports about it that it is hard to judge . in any case the flights are booked and I guess it is worth trying them for the price of an economy, don't you think? (I hope...)

I am flying some time Bkk-Paris in June so plenty of time to adjust the choice of the seats

DIRECT FLIGHTS:

Wed,Fri 01:15 Colombo (CMB) 08:15 Charles De Gaulle, Paris (CDG) 1

UL 563 Non-stop Airbus A330-200 (332) 10:30 Effective from 2013-04-03

Return

Sat 14:30 Charles De Gaulle, Paris (CDG) 1 05:15 Colombo (CMB)

UL 564 Non-stop Airbus A340-300 (343) 11:15 Effective from 2013-04-06

The flight arrives 1 day after departure.

If the 330 are that bad I will consider changing the date of the outbound but from what I s told in Bkk the planes are all flat seats equipped (???)

Actually, for those interested this the link I have just found to identify the planes by their flight numbers

http://info.flightmapper.net/search

Not always accurate that one. www.flightstats.com is better

[lomatopo]

If the 330 are that bad I will consider changing the date of the outbound but from what I s told in Bkk the planes are all flat seats equipped (???)

Actually, for those interested this the link I have just found to identify the planes by their flight numbers

http://info.flightmapper.net/search

The only potential problem is that if UL use both the 330 and 340 for CMB-CDG then it is always possible that they can swap these in/out - based on operational requirements - and you could end up back with the less desirable aircraft, the 330 I presume. To the extent that you flexible re: travel dates then it is a good idea to try and work towards routings with the most desirable aircraft, but don't be overly disappointed if you experience a swap.

For BKK-CMB it looks like they use everything 320/330/340, maybe better to use the UL engine to verify equipment by travel date?

If you do have a long layover then make sure all is OK re: visas - I've only ever turned at CMB - staying in int'l transit: in on TG out on TG (same aircraft), and in on SQ/out on SQ (same aircraft), and in on SQ/out on TG, back when they had the really cheap business class tickets on *A.

[WilliaminBKK]

Now that the problem is settled could we come back to the topic?

Which seat is best? UL swaps aircraft all the time there is no guarantee. Clearly the middle bank of seats would give a couple both access to the aisle which some would consider a plus, there is a lack privacy IMO and can be cold. Bulk head seats don't have storage under the seat in front of you usually, the bassinet is only installed if required. The last row on the aircraft is directly forward of the Y cabin no galley in between so you could be inches away from a screaming baby.

I would go for first row bulkhead opposite side of the aircraft so the lav isn't in front of you, window and aisle for privacy at least you'll be the first row for food options.

[AyG]

I know that i get a hotel room because i read other reviews before i booked saying any stop over of more than 8 hours a room will be provided and you can't access the biz class lounge at least 8 hours before departure.

Actually, you can't use the business class lounge until 10 hours before departure - unless you've already checked in to your allocated hotel room, when they'll let you in for a meal. (Not much use if your hotel is offsite, though.)

[jimyoung]

Now that the problem is settled could we come back to the topic?

Which seat is best? UL swaps aircraft all the time there is no guarantee. Clearly the middle bank of seats would give a couple both access to the aisle which some would consider a plus, there is a lack privacy IMO and can be cold. Bulk head seats don't have storage under the seat in front of you usually, the bassinet is only installed if required. The last row on the aircraft is directly forward of the Y cabin no galley in between so you could be inches away from a screaming baby.

I would go for first row bulkhead opposite side of the aircraft so the lav isn't in front of you, window and aisle for privacy at least you'll be the first row for food options.

I agree, first row bulkhead on the opposite side of the plane is best for the same reasons IMO

[Chivas]

Now that the problem is settled could we come back to the topic?

Wasn't a problem buddy............

Just made the point that myself personally wouldn't have expected a free hotel room on any airline, having booked a connection time of 13 hours....

[alyx]

Not to worry

I was merely trying to get answers to my questions and thanks to you all I think I have got a grip at what to expect

In any case warm thanks to William Bkk's comment, seconded by Jimyoung and tomatopo's links

I am sticking to the front row seats 1c and 2 a ( but only on the long haul as there is no way to book those seats online, I might give it a try at their office tomorrow)

Anyone can confirm that this is opposite the lavatory?

Edited December 13, 2012 by alyx

[alyx]

I mean that Ihave reserved 1a and 1c. Are these the one you are talkinhg about?

Is it better to get 1k and 1h

[jimyoung]

I mean that Ihave reserved 1a and 1c. Are these the one you are talkinhg about?

Is it better to get 1k and 1h

It is better to get 1k and 1h, but i wouldn't worry if you can't get them.

The toilet isn't directly in front of 1a and 1c, there's a storage unit and the exit seperating the seats and toilet, and a curtain is always drawn at either end of the cabin

for a bit more privacy.

[alyx]

Thanks Jimyoung

As a matter of fact I went to their office in Banhkok this morning and did book all the way 1a and 1c bu seats on the oher aisle are still available so I'il change the one I can on line and will go back there to have them changed.

Actually I asked the girl at the office about the toilets: She told me they were....at the back ( confused°

I also asked about the planes; the answer was that half of them had been refurbished and.....well whenever the have time they will do one from time to time. I also told her that I might change my dates to fly wth the right plane: they swap planes and one knows it only the day of departure (but lately it seemed to be pretty reliable from that point of view) o it is kind of a gamble

As for the 330 and 340 same number of seats for business and 40 more for the tourist class on the 340

[alyx]

All right...I have switched to 1h 1k on the long haul

Will go back to the nice lady to do the same on the Bkk Colombo legs

Thanks

Edited December 17, 2012 by alyx

[alyx]

Ok

Everything is settled

I will keep you posted in some months and, in the meanwhile, some can write an update, the it would be nice