REVIEWS


SRILANKAN AIRLINES Business Class


THE ROUTE: Heathrow to Colombo, Sri Lanka.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Clients are sure to breathe a sigh of relief as they step into the business-class cabin onboard SriLankan Airlines’ Airbus A330-300. The one-two-one Vw}ÕÀ>Ì >Üà vÀ «iÌÞ v ë>Vi >` i>ÃÞ >Ãi >VViÃÃ] and the attractive beige and teal colour scheme is subtle but soothing. Sari-clad attendants were on hand within moments Ì vviÀ > }>Ãà v V>«>}i >` > iÕ vÀ Ìi y}Ì] >` with good storage space, a plug socket and USB charger on hand, getting settled in was a joy.


THE FACTS: The supremely comfortable leather seat is the real star here, with more than enough legroom – if anything, I almost wished the footrest was a little closer – and an angled, ergonomic design that maximises both space and privacy. It’s easy to adjust using the seat control panel and transforms Ì > y>ÌLi` >Ì Ìi ÌÕV v > LÕÌÌ] Ã ÌiÀi½Ã  ii` to wait for anyone to make up a bed. The sizeable 15.4-inch screen was ample for watching the latest movies, although the noise-cancelling headphones could have been higher spec, as could the Aigner amenity kit which covered the basics but lacked a little in the way of wow factor.


CUISINE: Sri Lanka is renowned for its food so it’s only >ÌÕÀ> vÀ Ìà y>}V>ÀÀiÀ Ì «ÀiÃà Üi Ì Vià Ì VÕÃi] but the quality and choice of dining was exceptional. There were two starter and four main course dishes to choose from – including a vegetarian option even if clients haven’t pre-ordered – at each meal, followed by dessert and a


selection of fruit and cheese. Options included Sri Lankan kottu roti, prawn baduma, Arabic mezze and lamb kofta, but both the Sri Lankan and international dishes were equally interesting and the service consistent throughout.


WOW: It’s not just at dinner that SriLankan Airlines’ service stands out. A selling point of this airline is the attentiveness of its staff, who got the balance just right between being on hand to help while leaving passengers to work or enjoy


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


Ìi y}Ì ÜÌÕÌ ÌiÀÀÕ«Ì° />Ì V>ÀÀià ÌÀÕ} Ì Ìi journey to and from the airport, with a complimentary chauffeur-driven car available for Business Class passengers on their departure from or arrival to Heathrow, providing their pick-up location is within 50 or 75 miles (depending on the type of ticket; must be booked 30 hours prior to departure).


BOOK IT: SriLankan Airlines flies from Heathrow to Colombo daily in summer (until October 26) and nine times a week in winter (October 27 to March 26, 2020), from £1,900.


SRILANKAN.COM Katie McGonagle


SEPTEMBER 2019 ASPIRE 119


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