Trip Report: SriLankan Airlines, Colombo to Pakistan (September 2019)

Trip Report: SriLankan Airlines, Colombo to Pakistan
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I needed to travel from Colombo to Pakistan and there were a couple of options available - either through the Middle East, through Southeast Asia, or direct flights.  The direct option was the best in terms of overall flight times as well as the flight schedule worked for my schedule.  SriLankan is a part of the oneworld alliance so I used AAdvantage points to book my flight.  I booked my flight on American's website and then I called SriLankan to confirm the details and to get the SriLankan confirmation, but this seemed more difficult than it needed to be.  After speaking to two different agents at SriLankan, as well as emailing them, I gave up and worked with an American Airlines agent who provided me the information.  With my SriLankan reservation number, I was able to go online and modify my reservation, select my seat assignment, as well as select any special meals.

The SriLankan flight from Colombo to Karachi operates 5x's a week and departs Colombo at 12:20pm and arrives into Karachi at 3:20pm for an estimated flight time of 3hr 30min.  24hours prior to my flight I was able to checkin via the website, and confirm my preselected seat assignment.   My flight was scheduled at 12:20pm, but there is a lot of security checkpoints at Colombo International so I was advised to get to the airport 3hours ahead of schedule; in the end, there was a lot of waiting around as security and immigration were extremely quick.  Even though the flight was not scheduled until 12:20pm, at 10am they started announcing for passengers to go through security at the gate even though after security there is nothing to do but sit and wait for the flight which we did until proper boarding happened at 11:15am.  Boarding was supposed to happen in groups and by sections, but many passengers were not listening to the airlines instructions and the airline staff eventually gave up and just let everyone board at the same time. 

The operating aircraft for the flight was an Airbus A321 with a 2-2 seat configuration in business class and a 3-3 seat configuration in economy class.  The seat itself had a seatback PTV with a headphone jack and USB port, a full tray table, a pocket underneath which contained the airline magazine and the safety card, and there was a pillow on each seat.  The seat itself was generally comfortable and both the seat pitch and width were comfortable, especially for this short flight.  Once boarding was complete, there were some empty seats in the front so passengers were allowed to move around to more comfortable seats.  Once pushback started, a safety video was shown and then we taxied to the runway and took off for Karachi.

Once we reached cruising altitude, the inflight service commenced with lunch and drinks.  I had

preordered a special meal and that was delivered along with the regular meals - and the meal consisted of a main dish, a salad, and dessert.  While the quantity was fine, especially for this mid-range flight, the quality of the food was a bit subpar and it was the only disappointing thing on the flight.  Tea and coffee were also provided after the meal service and then once the trays were cleared, it was up to the individual passenger how they wanted to spend their time.  Some slept, some read, while others watched movies or TV shows on the PTV screens.  The selection was decent but a bit limited so I was not sure if this was their full range of videos or if they had limited it given the short flight time (because it was enough for this flight time but definitely would not be enough for their longer flights to London).  For the remaining flight, the FA's mostly stayed in the back and never walked through the cabin so if you needed anything you did have to walk to the back; they were responsive to FA call buttons.  After a while, we started our descent into Karachi and landed on time and quickly taxied to the gate.  

Overall, I was impressed with my flight with SriLankan.  I have been trying to fly with this airline for about 5 years but always one thing would happen and I would not have the opportunity.  I finally got the opportunity and they are an impressive mid-range airline.  They operate a mid-range number of flights and given their range and destination of flights I think they offer a good service with competitive rates and good amenities.  The seat was nice, the onboard amenities such as USB port and PTV screens was nice, and a complimentary meal was provided.  The negatives were the poor quality of the food, the limited entertainment selections, and the long waiting time in Colombo.  Based on this experience, I would definitely choose to fly with SriLankan in the future. 

Trip Report: Malindo Air, Kuala Lumpur to Colombo (September 2019)

Trip Report: Malindo Air, Kuala Lumpur to Colombo
comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

I was in Kuala Lumpur and needed to travel to Colombo.  There are a couple of options on this route, but based on timing and price I choose to go with Malindo Air.  I had arrived into Kuala Lumpur on Malindo (check out that review here) so I had a general idea of what I was expecting.  It is interesting to note that even when booking on one ticket, Malindo combines two one-way fares so you can either pay for them individually or separately; the fare will be the same (my two flights were the same price either booked together or separately).  Booking the flight through the Malindo website was easy and it allowed me to select which option best suited me.  From the reviews and previous passengers, Malindo used to provide full service experience at budget prices; however, now they have changed their product into bundles; the bundles range from basic to business with variations in between.  As I had checked baggage, I choose the option that included checked luggage - this fare only included checked baggage and not preselecting your seat, as there was another option that included both of these combinations; the bundle that I selected also included a meal (all bundles apparently included a meal).  Note: standard luggage allowance is 23kg but as Malindo is shifting to a low-cost carrier model, they have reduced their complimentary luggage allowance to 20kg; you can add more weight for a fee.

You could manage your booking either through the website or through the app - you got more services from the website than through the app; with the app, I was able to check-in online and select my seat 48hours prior to departure.  My flight was scheduled to depart Kuala Lumpur at 10:25pm and arrive into Colombo at 11:25pm but earlier in the morning I received an email from Malindo stating that my flight was delayed and that my new departure time was 11:35pm.  I appreciated Malindo's proactiveness in this situation and allowing the passengers almost all day to rearrange their schedule.      

Even though Kuala Lumpur is Malindo's hub, I had to wait until 3 hours prior to my flight before the check-in desks opened.  Check-in was a breeze, and even though my luggage was at 20kg, the weight enforcement was not stringent.  Once the gate was opened, passengers went through gate security and to the boarding area to wait for the flight; even though the gate was open the plane still had not arrived.  I got a bit nervous as whether the flight would be delayed further - also, Malindo has a 'flexible' definition of on-time; the plane landed, passengers deplaned, and boarded was done by groups.  Even though we were delayed and boarding started later than usual, there was no sense of rush or hurry amongst either the ground staff or airline crew; everyone took their time to board and get situated in their seat.

Malindo Air is part of the Lion Air Group which also Batik Air, Lion Air, and Thai Lion Air so even though the flight was operated by Malindo Air, the outside of the plane said Batik Air.  The operating aircraft was a Boeing 737-800 with a 2-2 in business class and a 3-3 in economy class.  The plane generally looked in good condition and looked fairly new, with mood lighting and updated overhead panels.  The seat pitch was very good and very generous - I am 6'1 and my knees weren't even touching the seat in front of me.  The seat looked new and stylish in black and red leather type, but it was not that comfortable and was really uncomfortable towards the end of the flight.  Malindo had prided itself of providing seatback entertainment on its flight and this plane had the seatback PTV with a headphone jack and USB port (my previous flight did not have the PTV).  The PTV had a decent selection of movies and TV shows, and while it was not extensive, it was enough to pass the time and provide a good distraction.  Below the PTV was a standard tray table followed by a seatback pocket which contained the airline magazine, the duty free magazine, and safety card.  Once all passengers had boarded, a safety video was shown as we taxied to the runway and took off for Colombo.  


The flight time to Colombo was 3hr 35minute but, as with my first flight, as we reached cruising altitude the FA's came around to start their service.  They were very fast and very quick (even though we had a lot of time) but it was late and I think they wanted to complete their service so passengers could rest.  The service consisted of a complimentary meal and complimentary water, tea, or coffee - other drinks were available but they had to be purchased and only with small American bills or small Malaysian bills (you could not use credit cards).  Again, the meal meal itself was small, basic, but it was better in taste and flavor than my previous meal with Malindo; the size here was substantial for the 3+ hour flight, but it was the same size as the 5+hour flight.  The meal service really reflected the struggle Malindo is going through - as they are not sure if they are a low-cost carrier or an economy carrier with perks.  The complimentary meal part of international economy, but the quality and size of it, as well as asking patrons to pay for other drinks besides water, felt more like a low-cost carrier.  Once the meal trays were cleared, the cabin lights were dimmed and most passengers slept since it was an overnight flight.  About 45 minutes prior to landing, the cabin lights came back on and the cabin was prepared for landing.  During the flight, FAs did provide water but mostly they were available in the back if passengers needed anything. 

My first flight with Malindo was very confusing as I was not sure whether Malindo was a standard economy airline or trying to be a low-cost carrier.  They seemed to be a mix or hybrid of the two with low ticket prices but bundled; complimentary meal but the quality and only option of water is very low-cost.  Positives of the airline include low ticket prices, generous legroom, usually PTV, and complimentary meal.  Based on my two experiences with Malindo, the question I have is - would I fly them again?  After this experience, I am not sure - I would definitely not fly them long-haul (the 5+hour flight was a bit rough) but I would not mind a 3.5 hour or less flight.  While they would not be my first option, the positive aspects of the flight, and the low price would make me not avoid them.

Trip Report: flyDubai, Dubai to Colombo (March 2014)

Trip Report: flyDubai - Dubai to Colombo

comment below and let me know your thoughts :)

FlyDubai is billed as the 'low-cost' alternative in Dubai.  The airline adopted the LCC model with a fee-for-service model and a single class (only recently did they adopt business class and priority boarding - for a fee).  When booking with LCC type carriers, it is important to remember what you are getting for the price you are paying; and more importantly what you are NOT getting.  For the price of the ticket, mostly all you get is a seat on the plane, seat assignment only 24 hours before the flight, and 7-10kg baggage allowance allowed on the plane; that's it!  everything else you want - checked baggage, priority seating, seat assignment when you book the flight, drinks, meals, entertainment - all comes for a fee.  If you do not mind and are able to travel lightly and take advantage of the LCC model, you can have a wonderful vacation at a relatively cheap costs.

I flew FlyDubai from Dubai to Sri Lanka.  I was only going for a couple of days so I knew I could pack lightly and wouldn't have to check-in a bag, and the flight was for 3 hours so I could bring my own food and entertainment on board.  Given all this, I went online to FlyDubai's website and choose the flight that I wanted (FlyDubai only flies once a day to many destinations, also limiting your options and flexibility).  After choosing the flights, you can choose your extras.  I choose the basic fare from FlyDubai which only guaranteed me a seat (no seat assignment) and a7-kg hand allowance (plus a personal item).   If you do want to choose extras, you can get cheaper rates when you book your flight or when the airline sends you an email about a week before your flight - booking these options at the airport or on board the airplane incurs higher costs.  Once you have booked your flight, you have multiple options of payment - you can either pay online (for a fee), pay at a FlyDubai shop (if one is nearby), or at a kiosk they have set up throughout the GCC.  

FlyDubai operates out of Dubai's DXB Terminal 2 (something to remember as most airlines, including Emirates, operate of T1 and the terminals are not connected).  T2 is undergoing A LOT of renovation to modernize the terminal as right now it does not look good.  There are two sections to Terminal 2 - departures and arrivals.  To get from Departures to Arrivals, you have to go out of the airport and walk next to the building for about 10 minutes and re-enter the airport (not very convenient).  FlyDubai is the dominant airline at T2 so it has a lot of counters.  There were lots of passengers from and flights going to Eastern Europe and Russia - all of whom had a lot of luggage - so this created some long lines.  I found a shorter line and checked-in and received my seat assignment (something which I was not allowed to do online).  

---Note--- no flydubai agent in Dubai ever measured nor looked at my bag to ensure it was under the required weight.  In fact, I saw many people on the bus who had bags well over the 7kg weight, but they were taking it on board as had luggage.

The departures' section has undergone renovations and is somewhat modern (still not as modern as T1, but modern).   There is free wifi (spotty but decent in the departures, but not available in the arrivals), some seats (although clearly not enough), AC (which not turned on or not functional in arrivals), a coffee shop, a travel store, a money charger (who charges very high rates - there is also a money changer in arrivals hall who has better rates).  After security and immigration, there is a duty free area on one side and three restaurants - subway, a patisserie/deli, and other restaurant.  

The 'gates' are seating areas next to doors all are bused to your plane - you may want to sit next to your gate since it's hard to hear the announcements (which sometime happen after the fact).  I was sitting next to my gate and they started boarding before they made the announcement.  Along with checking your boarding pass, this was the first time they actually checked people's luggage (they mostly checked those with hand rollers, all with backpacks were never checked).  There are two buses as passengers are divided into rear plane and front plane entrance (flydubai boards from both sections).  After the bus was boarded with our section, we were off to our plane.  The planes are parked somewhat far away from the terminal and seem to share space with cargo planes stationed at DXB.  We were boarding from the rear so we were called first, boarded the bus first so ideally we should've boarded first; however, when we got to the plane we sat in the bus for about 20 minutes just waiting.  By this time, the other bus carrying the forward passengers had also arrived and they had to wait as well (for about 5-7 minutes).  We were finally let out of the bus and took the stairs up to the plane.  

   

 seat pitch - not bad for a LCC

flydubai follows the LCC model of only one-type of plane so all of their planes are Boeing 737.  The plane was not that full, but it still took a while to board, boarding was very haphazard and we sat on the runway for a very long time.  When we finally took off, we were about 40 minutes behind schedule.  The plane itself is relatively comfortable with decent legroom.  The first 3 rows as well as the emergency exit seats have extra legroom, and these are available for a price.  On the back of each seat is a charging station (very convenient), a personal TV screen, and flydubai menu.  flydubai is an unbundled airline so everything you want, you need to purchase.  You can purchase your food and drinks online (for a lower costs), via the personal screen when you board, or when the flight attendants come down with their trolley (supplies are limited so if you like something, order it early).  There is also duty-free available on the flight as well.  Even though the flight was not full and most people had ordered, it still took a while for the flight attendants to conduct their service.  In addition to the food and drinks menu, you can purchase also purchase tv shows or movies to watch during your flight.  For free, you can track your flight path or read some global news.  There is also a kid section with games and cartoons to keep the little ones occupied during the flight.  

We took off from dubai around 8:40pm and landed in CMB around 12:30am.  We did make up some time in the air but were a bit behind schedule.  This flight runs 4 times a week and the flight has about 1.5 on the ground and then it departs back for Dubai (around 2:30am and arrives Dubai at 5:55am).  About 5 days I took the return flight.  The return flight was very similar but this time the flight was full (and trying to sleep on one chair was very uncomfortable).  I was sitting next to children and there was an empty seat in the front (with extra legroom) so I asked the attendant if I could move up to give the family more room and they were ok with that (other airlines have said no).  We landed around 5:55am again boarded buses to go to the terminal  

The buses make 2 stops, first stop is immigration for those existing in Dubai, while the second stop are transiting passengers (be careful which one you get off because there are no connections and you cannot exit back onto the active runway).  The arrivals hall at T2 is very plain, very old, and very small.  There is a money changer (with better rates than the departures changer), 2 phone companies, a large restaurant, a small coffee shop, a duty free kiosk, and a small sitting area (with no wifi).  

flydubai also operates a bus from DXB to Abu Dhabi and to RAK for those passengers who live there. The bus departs outside of Terminal 2 and stops at flydubai offices in each city (information and map available on their website).  You have to pay for these buses, which you can do online (for a transaction fee), reserve online or pay in a shop (with no transaction fee; I did this and it was very convenient), or pay onboard (no transaction fee but a higher fare).  I took the DXB to Abu Dhabi bus, which only has one departure in the morning and then one return in the evening (so double check to ensure it connects with your schedule).  I had to wait 2.5 hours upon my arrival for my bus, which was a very long and boring wait at T2.

The bus is a standard 20 passenger bus with a luggage compartment add-on.  The bus was comfortable and we had about 13 people on it, but the bus driver was asking the passengers to do his job (he seemed very confused) and was dropping passengers off anywhere they felt like it (even on the side of the highway).  We were supposed to be dropped off near the Corniche, but the driver wanted to drop us off at the main bus stand (which was very far away from the Corniche).  Only after our insisting that is not where the bus is supposed to go according to the website were we dropped off at the correct location.  

Even though FlyDubai's basic costs were cheaper (and cheaper than other LCC's in the area such as Air Arabia), had I factored in checked baggage (there and back), purchasing a meal and drinks, along with entertainment - all of which are standard on FlyDubai's competitors such as Emirates or Etihad - then sometimes FlyDubai was not that cheaper (both Etihad and Emirates also offer free bus shuttles to passengers holding same-day tickets).  Etihad was having a sale from Dubai to Sri Lanka and their fares were only marginally higher.  Had I been travelling for a longer period of time, or with family, I am not sure I would've chosen FlyDubai but for the short trip with no baggage, it was ok for the cheap price.  You don't pay a lot, and you don't get a lot but as long as its safe, somewhat comfortable, and will get me there on time -- I am good!  

Here are some pictures I took of my experience on flydubai --- enjoy and comment below if you have a similar or different experience (or your general thoughts on flydubai!)