Flight Review: Garuda Indonesia Domestic
Garuda Indonesia GA600
Jakarta (CGK) to Manado (MDC)
July 28, 2016
Depart: 10:50
Arrive: 15:20
Duration: 3hrs 30mins
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 with NG Sky Interior
Seat: Economy 36A
Despite a partial privatisation, Garuda Indonesia still remains a mostly government owned full service flag carrier. In 2010 Garuda joined the Skyteam Alliance and has continued to implement a fleet wide renewal program. Since then there have been a constant flow of improvements leading up to the airline being confirmed as a 5 Star Skytrax Airline in 2016. Garuda also recently won the coveted Skytrax award for the Worlds Best Cabin Crew 2016. So with all this hype I had reasonably high expectations for this flight.
GA600 was originally due to depart from Jakarta’s new Terminal 3 Ultimate, however as the opening was delayed for several weeks we were relegated to the bustling old Terminal 2. Since this flight was taken CGK T3 has now opened and Garuda now uses it to/from Manado.
Economy Check In and security at T2 was fast and efficient with very short queues, not having any status with Skyteam unfortunately we didn’t have lounge access on this leg so can’t share a lounge review.
Airside Jakarta Terminal 2 garden bridges
Gate Lounge CGK Terminal 2
GA600 Tarmac boarding at CGK
Garuda Indonesia 737-800 Domestic Economy layout with Sky Interior and seat-back TV
Garuda 737-800 Domestic Business Class cabin layout
Garuda 737-800 Domestic Business Class seat with armrest stored TV
Hard Product
Garuda`s 737-800 is configured with 12 seats in Business Class in a 2:2 layout and 144 Economy Class seats in a 3:3 layout. This newish 737 featured Boeings Next Gen Sky Interior with space inducing recessed LCD lighting effects and swept back overhead lockers. The Economy interior was themed with an embossed chocolate brown fabric with marine blue highlights, while Business took a charcoal grey and maroon theme. Each economy seat has access to a seat mounted touch screen with a selection of films, music and television. Plastic headphones are provided and a remote control for the screen and music is recessed into the arm rest. Seats have an limited pitch and recline and height adjustable headrests with wings.
Soft Product
The cabin crew really did shine on this flight, presentation was immaculate and the service was as warm and gentle as any Singapore girl. They offered all economy passengers sweets before takeoff, this was followed by a drinks service (no alcohol) and then a basic lunch offering.
Economy Drinks Service with the star cabin crew
brand, brand, brand
Economy Lunch: chicken curry with coconut rice and full metal cutlery / Guava juice
Pudding? glutinous passionfruit jelly with peach slices
GA600 inflight pic – Kalimantan
GA600 inflight pic – off North Sulawesi
Arrival Sam Rotuiangi Airport Mandao
Garuda delivered most of the items you would expect from a full service carrier on this Economy flight. A basic meal service, great cabin crew, a newish aircraft, a comfortable economy seat, LCD touch screen video on demand entertainment. Looking for improvements, the catering quality could have been higher, inflight video selections were limited and alcoholic beverages were not on offer for economy passengers on this flight. All in all this was superior to my recent Domestic Economy flight experiences on other full service airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines and Qantas.
We could have been flying AIRFAST Indonesia or LionAir
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