SriLankan AirlinesUL

SriLankan Airlines is the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, founded in 1979 as Air Lanka before rebranding to its current name in 1998. Headquartered in Colombo with its primary hub at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), the airline operates an all-Airbus fleet of approximately 24 aircraft serving over 35 destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.

In 2014, SriLankan Airlines became the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to join the oneworld alliance, providing passengers connectivity to over 1,000 destinations in 160 countries through partner airlines including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines. The airline is known for its warm Sri Lankan hospitality, distinctive peacock-inspired livery, and authentic cuisine featuring flavors from the island nation.

SriLankan Airlines uses a weight-based baggage system for most destinations, offering generous allowances compared to many carriers.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece	Total Dimensions
Economy	1 piece	7 kg (15 lbs)	115 cm (45 in) total
Business	2 pieces	7 kg each (15 lbs)	115 cm (45 in) each

Cabin Bag Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)

Additional Items Allowed:

• One handbag or purse
• Overcoat or umbrella
• Small camera
• Walking stick
• Infant food (for passengers with infants)
• Collapsible stroller

Duty-Free Items: Additional 2 kg allowed beyond normal cabin baggage allowance.

Checked Baggage

Class	Weight Allowance	Max per Piece
Economy	30 kg (66 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
Business	40 kg (88 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
Infant	10 kg (22 lbs)	—

Size Limit: 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions (L + W + H)

Important: No single bag may exceed 32 kg due to safety regulations, even if your total allowance is higher. Split luggage into multiple bags if needed.

Excess Baggage

Prepurchase additional baggage allowance online through the baggage calculator for discounted rates. Airport prices are significantly higher.

Excess baggage fees vary by destination zone. Prepurchasing online typically saves 20-30% compared to airport rates.

Elite Status Baggage Benefits

Status	Additional Allowance
FlySmiLes Classic	Base allowance
FlySmiLes Silver	Additional allowance varies by tier
FlySmiLes Gold	Enhanced allowance + oneworld benefits
FlySmiLes Platinum	Maximum allowance + oneworld Emerald benefits

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard	Counts toward weight allowance
Skis/Snowboards	Standard	Counts toward weight allowance
Bicycles	Standard	Must be boxed, handlebars turned
Surfboards	Standard	Subject to size restrictions
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/Mobility aids	Free	Carried free regardless of class

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at srilankan.com/baggage before traveling.

Business Class

Aircraft	Configuration	Pitch	Width	Bed
Airbus A330-300	1-2-1	78"	20"	Fully flat
Airbus A330-200	1-2-1	78"	20"	Fully flat

Seat Features:

• Zodiac Cirrus-style reverse herringbone seats
• Fully lie-flat bed with direct aisle access for every seat
• Personal entertainment screens (15-16")
• USB ports and power outlets
• Generous legroom with extendable ottoman
• Starry sky ceiling mood lighting

Bedding & Amenities:

• Pillow and silky blanket provided
• No mattress topper or pajamas (BYO sleepwear recommended)
• Amenity kit on long-haul flights
• Noise-canceling headphones

Dining:

• Multi-course meals featuring Sri Lankan and international cuisine
• Complimentary champagne and beverages
• Choice of main course pre-order available on select routes

Economy Class

Aircraft	Pitch	Width	Screen
Airbus A330-300/200	31-32"	18"	Personal seatback
Airbus A321neo	31"	18"	Personal seatback
Airbus A320neo	30-31"	18"	Personal seatback

Economy Features:

• Personal entertainment screens on most aircraft
• Complimentary meals on all international flights
• USB power on newer aircraft
• Signature Sri Lankan dishes available

Entertainment & Connectivity

Feature	Details
System	Personal seatback screens
Content	Movies, TV shows, music, games
Specialty	Sri Lankan and Bollywood content selection
WiFi	Available on select aircraft (fee-based)

Catering Highlights

SriLankan Airlines is known for its authentic Sri Lankan cuisine:

• Rice and curry dishes with coconut sambol
• Kottu roti and hoppers
• Ceylon tea service
• Fresh tropical fruits
• Vegetarian options reflecting local cuisine

Special meals available with 24+ hour advance request: vegetarian, vegan, Hindu, Muslim, kosher, gluten-free, child meals.

Booking:

• Book directly on srilankan.com for best service during disruptions
• Consider Business Class for long-haul to Europe/Australia—fully flat seats at competitive prices
• Check FlySmiLes for partner redemptions on oneworld airlines

Baggage:

• 30 kg Economy allowance is generous—use weight-based system to your advantage
• No single bag over 32 kg regardless of class—split into multiple bags
• Prepurchase excess baggage online for significant savings
• Duty-free gets additional 2 kg cabin allowance

At the Airport (Colombo CMB):

• Serendib Lounge access for Business Class and FlySmiLes Gold/Platinum
• Mobile check-in available from app—skip the queues
• Allow 12 hours maximum for transit connections via CMB

Upgrades:

• Paid upgrades sometimes available at check-in
• FlySmiLes miles can be used for upgrade awards
• oneworld status provides upgrade priority when available

Earning Miles:

• Join FlySmiLes before your first flight (first flight bonus available)
• Credit oneworld partner flights to FlySmiLes
• Keep account active every 24 months to prevent expiration
• Reinstate up to 50,000 expired miles at $0.01/mile

In-Flight:

• Request Sri Lankan cuisine for authentic island flavors
• A330 Business Class has fully flat beds with great privacy
• Starry sky mood lighting creates relaxing atmosphere
• Pre-order special meals 24+ hours before departure

Connections:

• Colombo is well-positioned for India-Middle East-Europe connections
• oneworld through-check available to partner destinations
• Seoul and Shanghai routes expanding in late 2025

Common Issues:

• European routes may have longer flight times due to Middle East airspace routing
• No privacy doors in Business Class (adequate but not cutting-edge)
• BYO sleepwear for overnight Business Class flights
• 7 kg carry-on limit enforced more strictly than some carriers