Flights to Sri Lanka

Author
Discussion

James2593

Original Poster:

570 posts

136 months

Sunday 15th November 2015
quotequote all
I am travelling to Sri Lanka in January, meeting a friend who will already be out there. I need some advice on what flights to go for. I will be travelling 09/01/16, returning 19/01/16, these are fixed as leave is already booked at work. My closest airport is Manchester but i'd much prefer a direct flight, which means going to Heathrow. This isn't a problem.

The options are;

- Direct flight from LHR > CMB (20:40 Dep - 12:40 Arr) - Sri Lankan Airways

- From Manchester Via Dubai MAN (20:30) > (07:45) DBX (09:05) > (14:50) CMB - Emirates (both legs)


If I fly from Heathrow I will get the train down friday night and spend the saturday daytime in London.

I will be travelling alone so i'd prefer to get settled on the 1 flight, watch some movies and maybe fall asleep, wake up at the destination. I don't want the faff of a transfer.

As you can probably tell, i'm pretty much set on getting the direct flight, unless there's a good reason not to? Is there any advice you guys can give me? Feel free to offer other suggestions, the only part that is rigid is the dates.

While i'd prefer lots of leg room (wouldn't we all?!), I am by no means 'abnormal size', 5ft 11" and 12 stone, so this isn't a major issue.

Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Sunday 15th November 2015
quotequote all
Just came back from Colombo (well Maldives actually), was not impressed with the legroom on the 11hr flight. Strangely the 1hr flight from CMB-MLE had better legroom than LHR-CMB!!
For reference I'm pretty much exactly the same size as you.
Plane was pretty new and entertainment was good though.

Would definitely take the Emirates flight, much less hassle getting to/from the airport and only gets there 2 hours later. Dunno about you but I never sleep for 8 or 9 hours straight on a plane.

shirt

22,506 posts

200 months

Sunday 15th November 2015
quotequote all
just looked on emirates website and your man>dxb legs would both be on the a380.

less hassle to get to the airport, better carrier and legroom, and a minimal later departure. emirates seems to be a no brainer.


Old Merc

3,486 posts

166 months

Monday 16th November 2015
quotequote all
We flew to Sri Lanka with Emirates via Dubai this year,A380`s are the way to go,brilliant.Dubai to Colombo is only 3.5hrs.

James2593

Original Poster:

570 posts

136 months

Tuesday 17th November 2015
quotequote all
Thanks all. I guess that's changed my mind! Manchester it is.

Harry Flashman

19,282 posts

241 months

Tuesday 17th November 2015
quotequote all
OK, my family are originally from SL, and I go back once a year: have been doing so since I was an infant.

Forget Sri Lankan: rubbish entertainment, tired cabins, poor food and if there is a problem, utterly uninterested in helping you out. Despite the Dubai layover, use Emirates: they are the best. If your layover is long, buy some sort of lounge access as Dubai airport is not a relaxing place to be. New, shiny, lively, but huge, and not relaxing in the middle of the night.

We have been using BA, but that's mainly due to corporate Gold memberships that Lady F and I have, so we get Club upgrades and flexible availability etc. But BA's planes on that leg are a bit old, so economy won't be a patch on Emirates. And even the BA "direct" flight sees you waiting on the runway at Male for up to 3 hours with no cabin crew in the plane if they are changing crews.

Enjoy the country - Jan is a great time to go, and I love it out there. Let me know if you need any suggestions for when you are in-country.

ETA - you already made the right choice! Safe trip.

creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Wednesday 18th November 2015
quotequote all
James2593 said:
Thanks all. I guess that's changed my mind! Manchester it is.
Okey you bought your ticket, but just as an FYI:

I've flown on both Emirates and on Sri Lankan. I like Sri Lankan better. Sri Lankan weren't up to (say) Cathay Pacific standards, but there was nothing wrong with them. OTOH I've flown Emirates 4 times and the experience ranged from ordinary to outright bad. I no longer fly Emirates.