Trip Report: Srilankan Airlines UL605 Colombo to Sydney
Flight details:
Airlines: Srilankan Airlines
Flight:UL606 CMB-SYD
Reg: 4R-ALL
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Departure Colombo Airport: 12:05 SLT [Actual Time: 1.35AM]
Arrival Sydney Airport: 2:55 AEST [Actual Time: 4.11PM]
Flight time: 10h 06m
Distance: 945 miles / 1520 kilometers
VIDEO: Srilankan Airlines 4R-ALL UL606 Colombo to Sydney
Introduction
This return trip report from April 2022. Continuing from earlier trip report: Srilankan Airlines UL144 Mumbai to Colombo.
I had selected seat at time of booking.
Security Check
After reaching the terminal, took escalator to departure area for security check. Checked the departure schedule. Time was already 23.55pm. Sydney flight would be departing from gate 14. Boarding had commenced. I knew flight would be delayed as passengers and bags were still arriving.
Gate 14 is located at the end of the pier. I joined the security queue. Two flight boarding were boarding simultaneously. Other being to Paris.
Passengers had joined whichever was the shortest queue as some passengers had from Paris flight. Cleared security without issue. At the entrance of the waiting area. ABF officers were checking passport. I took off the mask and he checked my passport and let me go, no questions asked. Following me was a small group of sports players. Not sure, probably from Srilanka or Pakistan. Officer checked with him and asked purpose of travel. Passport was checked in detail.
Next a short queue was formed for boarding pass check. It was scanned and small tab was torn. I took a photo of passport and boarding pass to fill the immigration form.
As it was past departure time, boarding was called. Queue formed to board.
Queue on aerobridge.
Srilankan Airlines 4R-ALL operating UL606 CMB-SYD
Crew waiting to check seat number and direct passengers.
Onboard
Settled in seat, noticed this flight was full.
Personal screen with flight information.
Window view, it was raining outside.
Captain announced it would be delayed departure due to weather. It was an hour and 30 mins delay. Must have spend at-least 40 mins onboard.
Pushback and Departure
Captain informed crew to close doors and announced pushback would commence. Video shared to experience the flight.
Safety demonstration was conducted on personal screen. After a long taxi, takeoff towards the city-end of runway.
Inflight
Cabin was darkened for departure. The IFE on my seat was buggy.
Cabin light sets to night mode.
As screen below, Flight information would not resize and full screen mode did not work. All other section worked fine.
Crew distributed the Australian immigration form and COVID 19 declaration form.
I filled the both the form on receiving them.
Refreshment Service
Service information was announced by crew after takeoff. Special meals were served first. Followed by meals for others. Option was fish with noodles or chicken with rice.
As I had chicken and rice on earlier flight, chose fish. Had a beer for drinks.
Cabin view
Trays were cleared and cabin light was set to night mode. I slept till late morning.
Mood lighting as most are still sleeping.
Flight on the way.
Passengers had woken and there was more activity as it was almost past noon in Sydney.
Window view
Time passed and flight was over South Australia.
Somewhere between Western Australia and South Australia.
Flight information
Cabin lighting was set to day mode.
Lunch Service
Lunch service commenced 2 hours before landing. Special service was served first.
Option was fish and chicken. I chose the Chicken Kiribath (SriLankan Milk Rice )
This food was really good. Chicken tasted fresh and had a good spice taste. My neighbour received special veg meal.
Cabin was active with queue to toilet. Some people don't know how to use aeroplane toilet. Crew did clean and stock toilet.
Pilot view of screen
Flight information in Sinhalese.
Cabin View
Most passengers resting after lunch.
Some had mask down.
Descend to commence shortly.
Srilankan part of Oneworld alliance.
Approaching Sydney
Captain announced descend would commence shortly. Crew made announcement and conduced safety check.
Aircraft flew North over Western Sydney. Landing on runway 16R.
It was rainy day, landed smoothly and exited runway.
Passing the cross runway 07-25.
Reached gate. Passengers queued to exit aircraft.
Crew waiting to see off passengers.
After disembarking, I reached the SmartGate kiosk. Filled the details and received ticket.
Checked out the duty free store on the way to immigration.
Immigration and QuarANtine
I was only one to pass the SmartGate.Others had joined the queue to see immigration office. Cleared immigration and entered baggage collection. My bag had arrived. A staff asked me about quarantine declaration. I had none, was directed to head towards the checking area. Immigration declaration and passport was checked was asked to exit.
Exiting Airport
After exiting airport as I stepped outside it was cold and raining.
I had planned to take a taxi.
Joined the taxi queue. In a few minutes, got taxi and was on my way home.
Flight Details
Flight speed and altitude information.
Flight information
Delay of an hour.
Google information.
Delayed departure from Sydney.
This Srilankan Airlines report completes the trip.
Hope you enjoyed this trip report. Thanks for reading.
:)
Thanks for this very nice series on UL! The 332 cabin looks nice, modern, and spacious, too bad the IFE was buggy. Once again both meals look really tasty! Seems the Intl arrival experience into SYD was mostly smooth--a relatively pain-free return home. What a difference from just a few months ago when borders were still closed and hotel quarantines were in place and most Australians couldn't leave the country and expats were stuck overseas. I couldn't believe that Australia stayed closed for so long! So glad everything is open again and I can't wait to plan a trip back to Australia next year!
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I was surprised too with how smooth the return procedure was. No one asked for the for the COVID declaration in Sydney as everyone had uploaded their vaccination status, RT-PCR test along with travel details before boarding flight, which checked at port of embarkation. Australia is now open to the world. Thanks for your comments. Cheers :)