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SriLankan Airlines

Sri Lanka's flag carrier, flying from Colombo

  • Sri LankaCountry
  • ULIATA Code
  • ALKICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines is Sri Lanka’s national carrier and a oneworld member, flying from Colombo to India, the Maldives, the Gulf, Asia, Australia and Europe. Economy allows one 7 kg cabin bag, and flights between India and Colombo include a generous 30 kg checked allowance. This guide covers baggage, power bank rules, FlySmiLes and how SriLankan compares with Air India and Emirates.

SriLankan was founded in 1979 as Air Lanka and took its current name in 1999. Colombo is a handy connecting point between India, the Maldives, the Gulf, Asia and Europe.

SriLankan Airlines flights to Colombo
Photo: Tharoushan Kandarajah / Unsplash

Power Bank Rules on SriLankan

SriLankan follows the ICAO power bank rules in force worldwide since 27 March 2026:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh only with the airline’s approval.
  • No charging power banks, or devices from them, during the flight.
  • Never pack power banks in checked bags.

Check-In at Colombo

Online check-in is available on the website and app. Colombo’s airport is busiest at night, when many long-haul flights leave, so allow three hours. Apply for your Sri Lanka ETA before you travel.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Sri Lanka

Cheap SriLankan Airlines flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Visit the south and west coasts from December to April, the east from May to September.
  • Avoid Christmas and Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April.
  • Combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives on one ticket.
  • Use the 30 kg India allowance for family trips.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see SriLankan next to Air India, Emirates and others.

SriLankan vs Air India vs Emirates

Popular options for travel between Sri Lanka, India, the Gulf and Europe.

SriLankanAir IndiaEmirates
HubColomboDelhi and MumbaiDubai
AllianceoneworldStar AllianceNone
Economy cabin bag7 kg7 kg7 kg
Best forSri Lanka and the MaldivesIndiaGlobal connections

See our Air India guide and Emirates guide to compare.

Arriving in Colombo

Bandaranaike International is about 35 km north of Colombo; the expressway takes about 45 minutes by car or taxi.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is SriLankan Airlines a Good Airline?

Yes. SriLankan offers warm service, a useful Indian Ocean network and oneworld benefits, with a generous 30 kg allowance on India routes.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against a June 2026 SriLankan baggage summary and ICAO’s 2026 power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official SriLankan Airlines website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

SriLankan Airlines joined oneworld in 2014. You can connect in Colombo onto partners such as Qatar Airways, British Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Cathay Pacific and earn FlySmiLes miles across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

SriLankan codeshares with oneworld and other partners, linking Colombo with India, the Maldives and beyond.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) near Colombo is SriLankan's hub, a popular connecting point between India, the Maldives, Asia and Europe.

Popular SriLankan Airlines Routes

SriLankan's busiest routes link Colombo with Malé, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi, and fly to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok and London. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

SriLankan Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

SriLankan sells several Economy fare types, from the cheapest fares with the strictest rules to flexible fares with lower change fees, plus Business Class. The conditions for your ticket are shown when you book.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. For flights from India, DGCA passenger rules also apply.

  • Cheapest Economy fares Lowest prices and the strictest rules.
  • Flexible Economy fares Lower change fees and more flexibility.
  • Business Class The most flexible conditions.
  • Flights from India DGCA passenger rules apply.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on srilankan.com or the SriLankan app.

SriLankan Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose a seat when booking or at check-in, with some seats available to buy in advance. Business Class on the Airbus A330 has lie-flat seats on long-haul routes, and Business passengers can use the Serendib Lounge in Colombo.

Extra bags cost less when added before you fly than at the airport.

  • Seat selection When booking or at check-in; some seats are paid.
  • Business Class Lie-flat seats on the A330 on long-haul routes.
  • Serendib Lounge For Business Class in Colombo.
  • Extra bags Cheaper when added before travel.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

SriLankan Airlines Baggage Allowance

On all routes, Economy passengers can bring one 7 kg cabin bag (up to 115 cm in total) and Business passengers two 7 kg bags. Parents with infants can bring an extra 5 kg bag for baby items plus a carrycot or folding pushchair.

Checked baggage depends on your route: between India and Colombo, Economy includes 30 kg and Business 40 kg; to and from the Americas, Economy includes two 23 kg bags and Business two 32 kg bags. On other routes the allowance is shown on your ticket. No single checked bag may weigh more than 32 kg.

  • Cabin bag (Economy) 1 × 7 kg, up to 115 cm in total.
  • Cabin bag (Business) 2 × 7 kg.
  • India–Colombo checked Economy 30 kg; Business 40 kg.
  • Americas checked Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business 2 × 32 kg.
  • Other routes As shown on your ticket.
  • Infants Extra 5 kg bag plus a carrycot or folding pushchair.
  • Maximum per bag 32 kg.

FlySmiLes: SriLankan Airlines Loyalty Programme

FlySmiLes is SriLankan's free loyalty programme. You earn miles on SriLankan and oneworld flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades.

Elite tiers are Classic, Gold and Platinum, recognised as oneworld Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

  • Blue Free entry level for all members.
  • Classic oneworld Ruby status.
  • Gold Lounge access and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Platinum The highest benefits and oneworld Emerald status.
  • oneworld Earn and redeem across oneworld airlines.
Join or log in on the SriLankan Airlines website

SriLankan Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are SriLankan Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is UL. It appears in flight numbers (for example UL 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is ALK, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is SriLankan Airlines part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is SriLankan Airlines headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Katunayake (Colombo), Sri Lanka.

04When was SriLankan Airlines founded?

The airline was founded in 1979.

05What are SriLankan Airlines’ main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Colombo (CMB) – Main Hub.

06What is SriLankan Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called FlySmiLes. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is SriLankan Airlines' cabin bag allowance?

One 7 kg cabin bag (up to 115 cm in total) in Economy and two 7 kg bags in Business.

08How much checked baggage does SriLankan include from India?

Between India and Colombo, Economy includes 30 kg and Business 40 kg of checked baggage.

09Does SriLankan Airlines fly to the Maldives?

Yes. SriLankan flies frequently between Colombo and Malé, and many travellers connect in Colombo between the Maldives and India or Europe.

10Is SriLankan Airlines in oneworld?

Yes. SriLankan joined oneworld in 2014.

SriLankan Airlines, its logo and trademarks are the property of SriLankan Airlines Limited and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by SriLankan Airlines unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.