There’s been a lot of talk in my circles recently about what to wear on planes, especially on my recent travels, doing a flight review of Jetstar Australia’s new route from Melbourne to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The question is: can form and functionality exist on planes? Go the sloppy joe and leggings, or the whole influencer and strike a pose while you try to scam your way into Business Class or the lounge?

I was thinking of it on my recent flight to Colombo – it was Jetstar Australia’s inaugural flight to Sri Lanka and is now its longest route. I was covering it for New Zealand title stuff.co.nz and was booked in Economy, as is the way with travel writers these days. So it was a gorgeous surprise to find our media group had been upgraded to Business Class.

Look, Jetstar business isn’t Qatar Airways business – that one wins all the awards, with its sweet little suites – but for a 10-hour flight, the ability to pull the seat into a cradle and be fed like a battery hen and make friends with the drinks trolley is is absolutely welcome, no matter how you’re used to travelling.

But back to the dressing nicely part: when we pulled into Colombo, I was ushered off the plane by the flight attendants to a wall of Sri Lankan paparazzi, at the airport to cover the flight. So that hasty slash of red lipstick didn’t go astray. Sending thanks to my friend Andrea Boekel in Colombo, who spotted me on the evening news!

You can read the flight review here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/361030488/jetstar-launches-longest-route-yet-new-sri-lanka-link-kiwis 

Belinda Jackson on Jetstar Australia’s first Melbourne-Colombo flight

And we’ve also talked through the journey on The World Awaits travel podcast.

Elephants, tea, ancient cities and fish markets; our co-host Belinda Jackson is in the guest’s seat this week, talking about travelling through the cultural triangle of central Sri Lanka.

Listen https://lnkd.in/gWW_69sD
APPLE https://lnkd.in/gYx2atAz
SPOTIFY https://lnkd.in/gAYXzhZh

To recap, I flew Jetstar Airways‘ inaugural flight from Melbourne to Colombo, travelled with Intrepid Travel and stayed with Sri Lankan hoteliers Jetwing Hotels.

We’re talking coconut hoppers with pineapple jam, cave temples and best times to visit the UNESCO sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Dambulla.

We’re also looking at the best places to eat in southwest USA, which now has its own Michelin Guide. Wallet says no? Don’t forget the Bib Gourmand rating for classic regional dishes at affordable prices.

And our tip this week is how to shut down a chatty seatmate on flights; we’re quoting flight-attendant-turned-etiquette-coach Jacqueline Whitmore, tune in for our take on this story in Travel & Leisure magazine.

Links: Check out the new Michelin guide to eating in the USA’s southwest states and and their best places to eat near London Tube stations.

Jetstar now flies Melbourne-Colombo direct; jetstar.com

Intrepid Travel has 11 Sri Lankan itineraries intrepidtravel.com

Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Hotels offer value, stylish mid-range and new luxury villa stays, jetwinghotels.com