Flight Report |
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After a wonderful visit featuring interesting architecture and lovely seafood, my driver took me on an uneventful ride for my red-eye back to Hong Kong. A modern highway connects the airport with the city with no slums or beggars lining the highway. Sri Lanka is a clean and modern tourist destination with friendly people and wonderful food. |
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I won't miss the heat and humidity even during the late night hours! |
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The terminal is an aged facility with security screening before entering a secured area for check-in. Immigration followed in a small room obviously not big enough for the crowds with a bit of chaotic queuing. |
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Despite the queues, immigration didn't take that long and soon I was upstairs in the departures hall doing some plane spotting. I still remember vividly this airport was bombed by Tamil rebels during the civil war that ended a few years ago, destroying several aircraft. |
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This part of the terminal is shared with arriving passengers, who exit through another door to clear immigration. Security checks take place at the gate, which I think is very inefficient and a waste to populate so many machines to serve all the gates. |
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Crowded Lounge
The lounge wasn't anything to boast about. It was packed and there was little food selection. I got a soda and settled into a chair for a bit. I already had a feast at the hotel before leaving so didn't need any more food. |
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Silly Boarding Arrangement
When security checks happen at the gate, it is quite stupid to arrange 2 flights to depart at similar times that share the same checkpoint. Well, the airport authority did just that, and the line barely moved. It was a frustating wait with no priority line for Business Class. |
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Tonight's flight would be operated by an Airbus 330 with the new Business Class. This is key as I need a lie-flat bed for the red-eye. It's a short flight of 5.5 hours so I know I won't get enough sleep, but a few hours is at least better than nothing. |
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We departed a few minutes behind schedule and quietly took off. It really makes a difference sitting ahead of the wing with a lot less noise than in the Economy seats. | ||
I don't think a full dinner is needed for a flight leaving just before 1am. I think a breakfast close to landing would have been more appropriate. Nevertheless, I decided to enjoy a midnight snack which would fill me beyond able to sleep afterwards. I opted for my favourite alcoholic drink on the menu - the sweet port wine. |
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I think mattresses should be provided for all red-eye flights to cushion the lie-flat bed for a proper sleep. It felt a bit weird once the chair turns into a bed as there are separate cushions making up the entire seat which can still be felt. |
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I was awaken by the pre-landing checks after my short nap. The sun had already risen and we were ready to land in Hong Kong. How I wished the flight would take longer! We arrived at 8:42am, just ahead of schedule. But we parked at a far away gate so it took a while to walk to the people mover for the ride in. Luggage also took some time to come out, which was frustrating once again with inadequate sleep on the flight. |
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The direct nonstop Colombo service is actually new, as flights used to route through Bangkok or Singapore. My inbound was actually via Bangkok. However, red-eyes of this short length are quite annoying. Even with a lie-flat, it is impossible to get a decent length of sleep with a full dinner served and being awaken early for landing. |
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