History of SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines was launched in 1979 as Air Lanka following the termination of operations of the original Sri Lankan flag carrier Air Ceylon. The airline began with a fleet of two Boeing 707, leased from Singapore Airlines, and a few domestic routes. In 1998, the airline was rebranded as SriLankan Airlines and became the national carrier of Sri Lanka.
In 1999, SriLankan Airlines joined the Oneworld airline alliance, becoming the first airline from the Indian subcontinent to join a global airline alliance. The airline has won numerous awards over the years, including “Best Airline in South Asia” and “World’s Friendliest Cabin Staff” by Skytrax.
However, the airline has faced its fair share of challenges as well. In 2008, the airline was forced to suspend operations due to financial difficulties, but was later restructured and resumed operations. More recently, the airline has had to overcome multiple incidents that occurred in the country, from terrorist attacks to the Easter bombings. Despite these challenges, SriLankan Airlines remains a popular choice for travel to and from Sri Lanka.
Fleet Information
Current Fleet
SriLankan Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet of 24 modern, sophisticated aircraft. The fleet includes twelve A330 aircraft for long-haul flights and twelve A320/A321 aircraft for medium-haul flights. The airline’s widebody fleet is composed of two variants of the A330. The A320/A321 aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, providing passengers with a comfortable and safe flying experience.
Historical Fleet
SriLankan Airlines has operated a variety of aircraft throughout its history. The airline previously operated a fleet of A340, A350, and A380 aircraft. However, the airline has since retired these aircraft and transitioned to an all-Airbus fleet. The airline’s current fleet is composed of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft that are designed to provide passengers with a comfortable and safe flying experience.
Destinations
SriLankan Airlines operates flights to both domestic and international destinations. Here is a breakdown of the destinations served by the airline:
Domestic Destinations
SriLankan Airlines serves one domestic destination, which is Mattala.
International Destinations
As of July 2023, SriLankan Airlines serves 36 international destinations in 21 countries. These destinations include cities in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Some of the popular international destinations served by SriLankan Airlines are:
- Chennai, Mumbai, and Trichy in India
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Dubai, UAE
- London, UK
- Male, Maldives
For a complete list of destinations served by SriLankan Airlines, refer to their official website.
In-Flight Services
Cabin Classes
SriLankan Airlines offers three cabin classes: Economy, Business, and First Class. Each class has its own unique features and amenities. Economy class passengers can enjoy comfortable seats with ample legroom, while Business Class passengers can take advantage of fully-flat beds and a range of entertainment options. First Class passengers have access to a private suite, personalized service, and a range of gourmet meals.
In-Flight Entertainment
SriLankan Airlines offers a range of in-flight entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, and music. Passengers can choose from a selection of international and local content, including Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood hits, and Sri Lankan classics. There are also games and a range of audio books available.
In-Flight Meals
SriLankan Airlines offers a range of meals to suit all dietary requirements. Passengers can pre-order special meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. The airline also offers a range of snacks and beverages throughout the flight. Business and First Class passengers can enjoy a range of gourmet meals, including traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.
Frequent Flyer Program
SriLankan Airlines offers a frequent flyer program called FlySmiLes, which rewards loyal customers with a range of benefits and exciting ways to spend their earned miles.
FlySmiLes
FlySmiLes offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Members can earn miles by flying with SriLankan Airlines or any of its partner airlines, including oneworld members.
Miles can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. Members can also enjoy a range of benefits, such as priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, and more, depending on their tier of membership.
FlySmiLes members can also earn and redeem miles with SriLankan Airlines’ non-airline partners, such as credit card companies, hotels, car rental companies, and more.
Overall, FlySmiLes is a great way for frequent flyers to earn and redeem rewards while enjoying a range of benefits and privileges.
Corporate Social Responsibility
SriLankan Airlines recognizes the importance of social responsibility and has made it a priority to give back to the community. The airline has identified health, education, and youth empowerment as its topmost priorities.
Through its CSR initiatives, SriLankan Airlines has been able to positively impact the lives of many individuals and communities. Some of its notable CSR programs include:
- SriLankan Cares Education Fund: This fund provides financial assistance to underprivileged children to pursue their education.
- SriLankan Cares Health and Nutrition Program: This program aims to improve the health and nutrition of children in Sri Lanka through various initiatives such as providing nutritious meals and conducting health camps.
- SriLankan Cares Youth Empowerment Program: This program focuses on empowering youth by providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
SriLankan Airlines has also been recognized for its CSR efforts and has won several awards, including the Sri Lanka Best Employer Brand Awards and the South Asian Partnership Summit & Business Awards. The airline remains committed to making a positive impact on society and continuing its CSR initiatives.
Awards and Recognition
SriLankan Airlines has been recognized as a leading airline in the Indian Ocean region, with numerous awards to its name. In 2020, the airline was awarded the title of “World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean” and “Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean” at the World Travel Awards. Additionally, the airline won the “Marketing Carrier” award at the PATA Gold Awards and was named one of the “Top 5 Airlines by Absolute Cargo Growth” at the Changi Airline Awards.
SriLankan Airlines has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, winning the “Best Aviation Sustainability Program Category – Socio-economic Pillar” award at the 2022 Aviation Sustainability Awards. The airline’s upcycling program was also recognized with a global sustainability award.
In 2016, SriLankan Airlines won two prestigious awards for Human Resources Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Sri Lanka Best Employer Brand Awards and the South Asian Partnership Summit & Business Awards 2016.
These awards are a testament to the airline’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of its operations, from customer service to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Controversies and Issues
SriLankan Airlines has faced several controversies and issues over the years. One of the most significant controversies was its procurement process, which raised public concerns. The airline issued a statement welcoming and respecting the rich debate in the public space on matters concerning the operation of the airline in general and the ‘notice of procurement’ process in particular.
The airline also faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which decimated passenger numbers. To overcome this, SriLankan Airlines engaged its grounded and parked fleet in special “Mercy Flights” operated under World Health Organization (WHO) approved special COVID-19 airline operational procedures.
SriLankan Airlines has also faced criticism for its customer service. Several customers have complained about the airline’s bad-faith behavior and zero customer service. For instance, a passenger had to cancel their flight to Colombo due to the imposition of emergency and curfew in response to protests, but the airline did not respond to their queries for more than a week.
Additionally, SriLankan Airlines faced a billion-dollar lawsuit against Airbus, which can be traced back to a UK 2020 Crown Court ruling. The airline had ordered six A330-300s and eight A350-900s under a purchase and lease deal.
Overall, SriLankan Airlines has faced several controversies and issues, but it has taken steps to address them and improve its customer service.