Trip Report: Srilankan UL609 Sydney to Colombo
Flight details:
Airlines: Srilankan Airlines
Flight:: UL609 SYD-CMB
Reg:: 4R-ALM
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Departure Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport Terminal 1: 07:55 AM AEDST
Arrival Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport: 01:25 PM SLT
Flight time: 11h 00m
Distance: 5443 miles / 8760 kilometers
Video:Srilankan 4R-ALM UL609 Sydney to Colombo
Introduction
This report is from March 2022. I was travelling to Mumbai after 3 years. I had checked different airlines most had stopped flights.
Qantas and Air India were other options as I would have meant backtracking, Chose to fly with Srilankan
Initially I had selected port side then changed.
Short transit in Colombo.
Checked the incoming flight info.
SriLankan Airlines 4R-ALM operating flight.
Check-in
I came to airport early for this flight not knowing the procedure. A counter was setup to check health and vaccination status. I asked my final destination. Vaccination certificate, For India, Air suvidha form which I had printed was checked and registration number circled. Mumbai Local government form was checked. In my case, I had printed and online copy of everything, which made it quick .
I reached check-in counter, bag was weighted and number of handbag was looked. As I was travelling light didn't have any issue. No Australian immigration form was provided. Boarding pass for both flights were issued.
No many passengers at the moment.
Immigration and Security
All shops were closed as it was early morning.
Reached immigration area, I was only on at the time clearing immigration. I passed through SmartGate. Since hadn't travelled for few years, wasn't sure of which way to enter security. I was directed by the Border staff, Security check was quick again as there was no one else. I organised self and then entered the departure area.
Departure Area
Entered the departure area, where everything was closed.
Checked schedule on the screen - that's whole days flight on the screen.
Shops don't open till 7 am.
Reached gate 58 where few passengers were seated.
Singapore Airlines night arrival at gate.
Sat for sometime in empty area. As I was travelling 1st time with Srilankan, decided to have some food before boarding.
Food COurt
I checked at Mcdonalds if they are open, was informed they open at 7a.m
As it was few minutes to open, checked with another shop. Placed order.
Air side view
Fiji Airways departing to Nadi as Srilankan has just landed.
Srilankan landed in Sydney
Qantas from Dallas
Qantas 100 year Livery taxis after arriving from Dallas.
Time was past 7.30am, walked back to departure gate
Sat close to gate, checked aircraft was parked at gate.
Sirlankan Airlines 4R-ALM Airbus A330-300 to operate UL609 to Colombo.
Aircraft delivery date: 19/12/2014 and is named "City Of Sihagiri"
Boarding
Settled near gate.
I took a photo of the documents to avoid opening bag.
Boarding call was made, Queue formed to board.
view of aircraft from aerobridge.
Crew was at door greeting passengers and directing them to seat.
OnBoard
View of business class
Walking towards the rear.
Aircraft was half full.
Settled in seat and waited to see if neighbouring seat will be occupied. Wasnt going to be.
Window view - Emirates in next gate
Leg rest and space
Enough space for more bags.
Pushback and Departure
Pushback was on time, safety demonstration was conducted from personal screen. Departure would be from runway 16R. After a quick taxi, held for United 787-9 Dreamliner to land. Departure was towards the south. Watch video above to experience the flight.
Seat pocket Material
Seat pocked contained information booklet, safety paper. Headphone was distributed after departure.
Personal screen with Ayubowan message, which was also greeting from crew on boarding and after announcement.
Srilankan Airline Airbus A330-300 safety paper
back side
Blanket was available on all seats.
Headphone jack
Flight Information
Flight path after departure
flight information
Breakfast Service
Breakfast was provided 1 hr after departure
Option was omelette or kari rice
Breakfast - Omelette, mushroom , tomato and potato cubes with orange juice
Food was good and tray was cleared soon after.
Cabin View
Cabin light was switched off and windows shades were down. Moodlight to night mode.
Flight Map
Rested for sometime
Flight information
Leaving the Australia coast
Inflight Entertainment
Checked the inflight entertainment. The screen was touch based. Watched few shows of The Big Bang Theory.
Checked out the other options on the screen.
I had prepare some documents and worked on the file for couple of hours.
Seat reclined to comfortable position. Did not encroach much into other passengers space.
Flying over the Indian ocean.
Time passed quickly as I was working.
Lunch Service
Lunch was provided 2 hours before landing. Option was fish or veg.
Approaching Colombo
Pilot announced descend would commence in 30 minutes.
Weather was hazy
Flight information on descend
Outside view
Cabin safety check was conducted by crew, Personal screen displaying safety information.
Outskirts of Colombo
Landed smoothly and reached gate after short taxi.
Disembarkation
Map showing aircraft has landed.
Disembarkation was orderly.
Thank you screen on Srilankan
Thanked the crew and exited aircraft.
Srilankan Airbus A330-300 probably from Melbourne followed the Sydney flight.
Terminal View
After exiting the aerobridge, entered the terminal building - a long corridor with gates on either side.
Terminal view
Lookiing back towards arrival gate. Reached the end of the corridor and then turned right for transit area.
Some shops in transit
Checked the flight schedule
Plenty of seats in departure area. Settled and got organised for next flight.
