SriLankan Airlines doesn’t have the global brand recognition of some other carriers. But by joining the oneworld Alliance in 2014, SriLankan put its name on the map. Then, with SriLankan’s launch of direct flights to Australia in 2017, Aussies started taking notice. The best part? As a Qantas partner, travellers can earn and spend points across the SriLankan Airlines network – even on short Airbus A320 flights within Asia, if need be.
As it happens, I recently ventured to Delhi to attend a conference. Sure, I’d have loved to take Qantas’ direct Delhi-Melbourne flight to get home. But as luck would have it, Qantas withdrew from Delhi the week before I’d be departing. With Qantas Points to spend, I went looking for an alternative – and found SriLankan Airlines.
Travelling via the airline’s Colombo hub, I could get from Delhi to Melbourne in Business Class using Qantas Points, plus around AU$384 in taxes and fees. That sure beats paying full fare for an overnight international journey. Under Qantas’ recently revised reward rates, you’d now spend 125,400 Qantas Points for that two-flight hop. Or, for just this leg from India to Sri Lanka, it’s 45,000 Qantas Points plus around AU$73.
We’ve covered SriLankan’s long-haul experience previously – but what should you expect on shorter SriLankan Airlines hops like Delhi to Colombo? Read on!
Qantas American Express Ultimate
Check-in, lounge and boarding
With a priority line for Business Class, check-in is quick and easy in Delhi. I make my way through security and passport control in no time at all – thanks again to a priority line for Business Class flyers. Then, it’s off to the swish Encalm Privé lounge. It’s a third-party lounge shared by multiple airlines. Staff at check-in provide the relevant invitation.
I have to say, compared to the last time I travelled from Delhi, it’s a night and day transformation. This new lounge is fantastic – and probably one of the nicest ‘non airline’ lounges I’ve encountered on my travels. There are high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and ample places to sit.
Food selections are extensive, with a generous buffet complemented by chef’s stations serving up local delights to order. I discover that an industry colleague is taking the same journey as me back to Melbourne, after being in Delhi for the same conference. A catchup over a gin and tonic is the order of the day.
There are no boarding announcements in the lounge, so I make my way to the gate for the scheduled boarding time. The flight is a tiny bit behind schedule, which gives me a moment to explore some of the sculptures along the departure concourse. There’s a particularly striking face with hair styled to look like an aircraft engine. Then, ding, it’s time to depart. Priority boarding gets me straight onto SriLankan’s Airbus A320.
SriLankan Airlines Business Class seating on the Airbus A320
Seating comes in a comfortable 2-2 layout on the SriLankan Airlines Airbus A320. I’d originally chosen a seat in the second row, for the convenience of keeping my bag near my feet. But the day before departure, SriLankan Airlines gives me a buzz. It turns out, the entertainment screen is out of service at that seat, on the aircraft scheduled to operate the journey to Colombo. They offer me a switch to 1F: a window seat with nobody in front, and a working screen. Done!
The style of the seat is a little bit old. The remote control, for instance, looks like a car stereo from years gone by. The seat controls are basic, with a standard round button for recline, and the same for the leg rest. But, you know what? This is a 3.5-hour daytime flight, where I can put my feet up, kick back, and settle in. I really don’t need a bed, and having a leg rest is more than I can say of some other short-haul Business Class seats.
A pillow and blanket adorn the seat, and there’s also an adjustable headrest. There isn’t much in the way of storage. Just a small pouch on the bulkhead wall in front. It’s just large enough to house my Microsoft Surface Pro. Just.
Food and beverage in SriLankan Airlines Airbus A320 Business Class
The service starts before we leave the gate, with an offer of water or orange juice. The bar opens in the sky, with warmed nuts accompanying your drink selection. On this Airbus A320 flight, I take a chance to sample SriLankan Airlines’ chosen Champagne: Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut. It’s not at the higher end of the non-vintage spectrum, but it’s still quite drinkable. I don’t say no to a top-up.
Today’s flight aligns with dinnertime, and it’s pleasing to see a choice of four main meal options. There’s chicken Chooza Kesar, lamb stew, fish with tagliatelle pasta, and a vegetarian korma. I choose the fish… and, it’s okay, but quite dry, despite the sauce. I spend my meal eyeing off the lamb dish selected by my seatmate. Next time.
On the side, there’s a choice of bread. When there’s garlic bread and it’s still warm, that’s always my pick. On the side, a salad and a dessert of gulab jamun on a bed of rabri complete the meal. Translation: yum!
Service in SriLankan Airlines Business Class on the Airbus A320
There’s only a few hours between meeting the crew and bidding farewell – and in that time, they make a very good impression. They’re polite and attentive, without being bothersome or intrusive. They offer a refill before the glass gets empty and serve food promptly. It’s all you can ask for on such a quick flight.
I’m not seated with my industry colleague – being on the same flight was merely by chance – so I mainly spend the journey getting work done. There’s no inflight internet, but I’ve come prepared. I take the opportunity to explore the entertainment selections during mealtime. The provided headphones are of average quality, so I connect my own noise-cancelling cans instead.
Overall, there isn’t a huge amount of content. But what’s there isn’t bad, with relatively recent titles like Wicked. I save that one for a flight with a bigger and better screen, though. I happen to notice that the map doesn’t work… I can’t tell whether it’s displaying only ocean, or just a blue screen. Either way, to check the progress of the flight, I have to use my own device and connect to the entertainment Wi-Fi network on board.
I’m happy with my front row window seat. Being on the right-hand side provides a great view of the sunset. And while there are no amenity kits in SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus A320 Business Class, the lavatory is well-stocked with whatever you might need.
The verdict
Qantas may no longer fly from Delhi to Melbourne itself, but you can still use Qantas Points to get from A to B. You just have to be a little bit creative, and find reward seat availability to suit. Fortunately, these bookings on SriLankan are just about as easy as can be. There are no tricks or hacks needed to uncover these reward seats and pair them together. A basic ‘Delhi to Melbourne’ search on the Qantas website suggests the connection for you.
But is SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus A320 Business Class worth those points – or the cost of buying a ticket? Look, set your expectations appropriately, and you won’t have a problem. This isn’t the world’s best Business Class experience by a long shot. Especially with the timing of SriLankan’s onward flights from Colombo to Melbourne, which isn’t great for a jet-lag-resetting sleep. But it’s still quite decent, and it sure beats travelling in Economy, if that’s what you’d otherwise be booking without points to spend.
If you’re taking that connection from Colombo to Australia, read on for some tips to maximise your rest on these oddly timed flights.
Sleep tight: Rest test in SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus A330 Business Class (Colombo-Melbourne)
All photography by Chris Chamberlin, who travelled at Point Hacks’ expense using points transferred from the company’s Qantas Business Rewards account.
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