Top travel agents endorse all-round luxury of SriLankan Airlines

It was certainly a day for discovery and pleasant experiences for the cream of Sri Lanka’s travel industry, when national carrier SriLankan Airlines hosted them to a familiarisation of its exclusive array of products and services recently.

More than 20 of the most experienced members of Sri Lanka’s largest travel agencies spent a full day with the airline, thoroughly enjoying the best of SriLankan both in the air and on the ground.

An initiative of the Sri Lanka Sales department of SriLankan Airlines, the event afforded the travel agents a taste of the traditional warmth and hospitality the airline is famed for when they visited the Semondu signature restaurant, the Silk Route Lounge for Business Class passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport, Serendib Business Class Lounge, Serendiva Transit Hotel, the upgraded Business Class Cabins and a ride on SriLankan Air Taxi’s float plane.

SriLankan’s Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Saminda Perera explained, “SriLankan Airlines has undergone a complete transformation over the last 12 months in terms of the entire experience that our passengers receive. We have invested heavily towards giving every passenger a truly delightful experience.”

“We wanted our partners in the industry who are the top travel agents of Sri Lanka to experience for themselves the level of sophisticated service our country’s national carrier now provides. We have a fleet consisting of more modern aircraft, and our passenger cabins are being upgraded with flat-bed seating in Business Class and sophisticated new AVOD entertainment systems. Most importantly, we have brought in a fully customer-friendly culture”.

The tour began with the travel agents visiting the recently commissioned Dandugama Oya water aerodrome to take off on a scenic flight on SriLankan Air-taxi, to experience the breathtaking aerial view of the landscape and also see first-hand how float plane operations can benefit tourism and afford convenient inland travel. The Air Taxi provides quick transfers to 15 domestic destinations from Dandugama which is located in close proximity to the Bandaranaike International Airport.   

The travel agents were particularly impressed with the Silk Route Lounge at the Bandaranaike International Airport managed by Airport and Aviation Authority (AASL) and were glad to learn of this new service which ensures business class passengers no longer need to go into the main terminal and stand in queues, but walk straight in to this lounge where all their travel needs are taken care of with a personal touch by AASL and SriLankan airlines staff while they sit in comfortable lounge chairs.

The group also visited SriLankans’ plush Serendib Lounge, available free to all of SriLankan Airlines’ Business Class passengers. Equipped with state of the art facilities and comforts, the Serendib Lounge is comparable to top airport lounges in the world.

Another port of call at the airport was the Serenediva Transit Hotel, managed by SriLankan Catering. This 24-roomed hotel on the upper floor of the BIA terminal is designed to provide rest and relaxation for passengers as they await their onward flight. Its facilities include deluxe and standard rooms and Conference Centre.

A sumptuous business class meal service on board a SriLankan Airbus A330 aircraft parked on the apron was the perfect ending to an eventful day for the travel agents, whilst being pampered by a team of friendly cabin staff in the comfort and luxury of the aircrafts’ upgraded business class cabin, giving a feel of the real in-flight experience with the national carrier.