My 546-mile Garuda Indonesia 777-300ER flight from Singapore to Jakarta operated like a well-oiled clock: takeoff, serve the meal, collect the meal, land. There’s nonetheless very so much a full-service custom on East Asian carriers and that was readily apparent on this flight.
Garuda Indonesia 777-300ER Financial system Class Consider
This was but yet one more puzzle piece of my SAS EuroBonus Million Mile puzzle. Tickets worth 152 USD each and included every carry-on objects and a single checked bag (though we have now been touring very gentle and had solely baggage that match beneath the seat).
After reaching Singapore from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, we stopped by the Garuda Indnoensia transit desk to pick up a boarding go for the flight. I inquired about an enhance to enterprise class and was instructed the worth was 544 SGD, the equal of about 404 USD. For a one-hour flight, even with a lie-flat mattress, that is not worthwhile.
Apparently, Garuda has an enhance bidding system on its website that I missed out on…now I do know (I even obtained an email correspondence inviting me to bid that I someway uncared for). Considering the enterprise class cabin was solely half full, Garuda would possibly must ponder better-monetizing airport upgrades as correctly. I would have gladly paid 100 USD for the enhance…nevertheless not quadruple that.
Our airplane arrived late from Jakarta and so boarding was delayed by about 25 minutes. It was a moist November afternoon in Singapore.
Garuda Indonesia 833
Singapore (SIN) – Jakarta (CGK)
November 2024
Depart: 3:40 PM
Arrive: 4:40 PM
Interval: 02hr, 00min
Distance: 546 miles
Airplane: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 41C (Financial system Class)
Boarding was by means of two doorways: one for enterprise class, one for monetary system class.
Seats
Garuda Indonesia has two 777 configurations: one with first-class, one with out. This airplane had no first-class (and as well as has no premium monetary system) and included 26 enterprise class seats and a whopping 367 seats in monetary system class.
No matter all these seats, Garuda maintains a 3-3-3 format in monetary system class…most carriers now squeeze a further seat into the center half. Furthermore, legroom is a very comfortable 32 inches. Even so, the seats are a bit earlier their prime and felt a bit lumpy. Usually these outdated seats are good because of they’ve so much padding, nevertheless these weren’t primarily essentially the most comfortable seats.
Happily, the flight was flippantly booked and the seat between Augustine and me stayed open. Many people have been able to stretch out on this flight.
There are not any air overhead vents: merely finding out lights.
We pushed once more a few minutes late, nevertheless the captain launched a quick flight and on-time arrival at Soekarno–Hatta Worldwide Airport.
LOVE + Wi-Fi
Although the cabin suggested wi-fi was on the market, it was not helpful on this flight.
Seatback screens included a very dated IFE system with a restricted variety of movement photos, TV displays, and music (no video video games). Headphones have been equipped.
Overhead shows confirmed a shifting flight map.
Meals + Drink
Shortly after takeoff, flight attendants sprang as a lot as current a meal service…even with a cabin that was solely about half full, it’d take some vital hustle to feed all people on such a short flight.
We now have been supplied a choice of fish or beef. I chosen fish, Augustine had beef.
I’m sorry to confirm every what every frequent reader knew I would do, nevertheless who would eat this slop? Greasy fish in some overly sweet sauce? No. Thank. You.
Augustine’s choice…fatty beef with noodles…regarded even worse.
I try of us, I try…nevertheless I’m merely not going to eat meals like this. It’s non-public need to ensure, nevertheless I was glad I had a bag of nuts and a protein bar in my bag.
I do give Garuda Indonesia credit score rating though for offering a full meal on a short route. Flying Garuda (like flying Vietnam Airways earlier inside the day) truly seems like stepping once more in time. Garuda even makes use of metal cutlery, not plastic or wood…that is appreciated.
Loos
With an monetary system class cabin so huge, Garuda has eight bogs (plus three further in enterprise class). 4 are located between the first and second monetary system class cabin (behind row 35), two further between the second and third monetary system class cabin (behind row 49) and two further inside the rear of the airplane.
I wanted to chuckle the least bit the lavatory warnings plastered all over the place in the bathroom.
Service
As I already talked about, the cabin crew truly wanted to hustle to complete the service. Even so, the staff was courteous and atmosphere pleasant.
Augustine ended up sleeping on your complete flight. When the flight attendant noticed he was sleeping, she proactively launched over a blanket, which was a very good contact.
I’m uncertain the crew would have accomplished had the flight been full…it’s an entire lot of labor at hand out meals (notably when there is a choice) and drinks, then collect them.
CONCLUSION
We did wind up landing a bit delayed in Jakarta and as well as had a look ahead to a gate to open, nevertheless by 5:15 pm we have now been off the plane.
Augustine, nonetheless, did not like being woken up from his siesta…
It was a beautiful sunset…
Whereas the meals won’t have been to my liking, it was a flight inside SE Asia and I was blissful to fly Garuda Indonesia as soon as extra (my closing flight was in first-class from Jakarta to Amsterdam just a few years previously now).
I hope to try Garuda as soon as extra rapidly.
I’m sharing in real-time mannequin about my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile downside this week. Click on on proper right here for background and route data. Subsequent up…a protracted wait in Jakarta.
