Booked this a day before the flight at www.srilankan.aero – online booking worked like a charm and I was instantly emailed the E-ticket receipt. HKD 500+tax, hands down the cheapest one way from HKG to BKK available online. Don’t know what Orient Thai charges, but it can’t be much cheaper. This was still expensive compared to the ex-BKK fare of THB 1000+tax.

05 March 2007
Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok (HKG/VHHH) – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl (BKK/VTBS)
Srilankan Airlines UL/ALK 423
Airbus A330-243
4R-ALB
1805-1955 – On Time
Economy Class, Seat28K/ 50G (Bulkhead)

View Large View Medium Photo © Zhao Lu

View Large View Medium Photo © Raymond Wang

Checked in at the transfer desk after arrival from BKK on TG 600. I waited at least 20 minutes in front of the desk that said Srilankan – just to be told it wasn’t the UL desk, please go queue over there. Not impressed, but what can you do... This reminded me of Ryanair idiots in Milan Bergamo where I waited 30 minutes in vain (I won’t fly Ryanair these days though). Asked for a window seat in front and the agent claimed row 28 was the best she had, hardly believable 6 hours before departure, but whatever.

Headed to town with Superfly who missed his UA flight home, and took the bus to Stanley. However, didn’t have much time there, I bought a Delta Airlines jacket, it came in handy later that week when I went to Tokyo. Took the express bus back to Central (we took the regular double decker over so Superfly could enjoy the views), and traffic was rather heavy. Arrived at the Airport Express station about 5.30pm – a bit too close for comfort considering my flight was leaving at 6.05pm.

Boarding pass


A mad rush through passport control and security, I paid for one of those golf carts and told him to hurry to gate 28. I was the last to board at 5.57pm, and the door was closed as soon as I boarded. A friendly flight attendant greeted me, and I made my way to 28K. Another F/A was determined to find space for my small carry on despite me insisting it was fine under the seat – nice service! The flight was about 2/3 full, and most of the passengers were loud and misbehaved Chinese package tourists.

Legroom was ok, and the seats are pretty much an exact copy of Emirates A330 seats. The Srilankan machines are in a very high density layout though – C12 Y275.

At gate in Hong Kong


Welcome Aboard SriLankan


Taxiing to the runway past an Oasis 747


Takeoff was without delay, and I rushed to the lavatory as soon the seatbelt sign was off. Didn’t exactly have time to do that at the airport... The mid-cabin lavatories looked worn down and had an unpleasant smell as well. I noticed the bulkhead aisle and seat next to it vacant, so grabbed my bag and moved to 50G. Legroom there was very good.

Menus were handed out – the nicest ones I have had in economy on any carrier. These were later collected, but the crew were happy to give me one.


Drink list


HKG-BKK menu


Drink service followed, limited selection from a tray, perfectly suitable for seat 50G unlike 4A on the TG flight. I got myself some Srilankan beer.


I often find that these mid-cabin bulkhead/exit rows are the last to be served a meal – this was also the case today. They started at the front and back.

Unique dress of the F/As as she serves meals


I was very impressed to see three main courses offered – although the pork was the only one left as I was about the last to be served. That’s what I’d have gotten anyway, so no problem.

Dinner


Presentation was very similar to the old Emirates design, although the food is a little bit less on Srilankan it seems. It was all very tasty, and a class act to offer a proper appetizer with shrimp in cattle class. The drink cart never made it to my row, and my two requests of wine were ignored. The crew seemed not that enthusiastic to serve this package tourist crowd, and I frankly can’t blame them. Sometimes I wonder how Orient Thai crews handle the idiots they must get constantly on those low cost runs to HKG and Incheon.

I went for some wine in the back galley after the meal service – the F/As were all very friendly and nice. One was filling some alcohol inventory form but suggested she can leave the red wine out of the trolley so I can have a couple of glasses if I want. Colombo would be good value as a SQ F award from BKK, so we chatted a bit about the situation there – they said it’s fine to visit but I’m a bit sceptical with all the stuff that has been happening there lately.

Snapped these cabin shots from the back of the big bus




Descent soon started, and one of the friendly ladies took the jumpseat in front of me. She was happy to have her picture taken – the UL cabin crew uniform looks very nice


We landed a few minutes early at Suvarnabhumi, and arrived at gate on schedule. Apart from the forgotten wine orders, I was pretty impressed with the UL product – definitely good value for the fares they charge on BKK-HKG-BKK and elsewhere.

Thank you for flying Srilankan


Thanks for reading!

[Edited 2007-03-25 21:01:32]