Has anyone had recent experience on Garuda? I'm thinking of booking a SYD-DPS flight in Business Class as their fares are considerably lower than the competition. I would purchase this ticket in the US, then use a mileage award on SQ to return DPS-LAX. Since I will be arriving in Sydney on a cruise, it will not be possible toreconfirm until the day before the flight. Is this safe?
We did a shorter-haul SIN-DPS in Dec in C and the seat pitch seems to be about 45 inches, with little recline and NO LEG REST that I can recall, which made things quite uncomfortable even for just the 2 hour flight. I hear that they have the same C class cabins regardless of the flight duration! So you may need to consider that...........
We did a shorter-haul SIN-DPS in Dec in C and the seat pitch seems to be about 45 inches, with little recline and NO LEG REST that I can recall, which made things quite uncomfortable even for just the 2 hour flight. I hear that they have the same C class cabins regardless of the flight duration! So you may need to consider that...........
Thanks for the heads up. The aircraft from SYD to DPS wouls be an a330.
Try 800-NATRABU or 800-2-BORNEO. I had used them in the past. Their prices are somewhat cheaper than regular travel agencies. I think both of them are based in SFO.
Programs: QF Plat, LH FTL, Icarus Silver (yup - that's Olympic - gold gone after 5 yrs with no flights!)
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Garuda flies A330s between SYD and DPS and their biz class is very comfortable on these aircraft. 50' pitch with legrests that are quite short, but, they can be made to go horizontal! (The trick is to let the footrest come up as far as it will go, then, gently lift it higher manually. Once it is level with the seat pan you release the leg-rest button and the leg rest stays where it is. This way you can get pretty comfortable.)
The seats are very much last generation for international travel, equivalent in size and shape of US domestic first class on say AA 757s, but more comfortable (not hard plus lots more leg room). But, for a day-time flight with extensive service they are just fine. IIRC you might want a seat on the left side of the aircraft to get the best views coming into Bali.
The service on board is excellent, with multicourse meals served individually and french champagne. There is also a selection of 'specialty coffees' which the crew wil mix up (a regular coffee with rum or brandy added. This is all supposed to be topped with whipped cream, but as that comes from a can I usually opt for the coffee without the cream!
Inflight entertainment is a PTV on a loop (at least it was a couple years ago) with one or two shows (yes, that's one or two, not one or two hundred). If you're lucky! And the headphones aren't noise cancelling (unless that too has changed!)
The amenity kits keep changing but used to always be some form of batik silk bag with some basics such as comb, toothbrush and socks.
Importantly - make sure you try and get to the front of the queue to deplane! Being first in line for immigration to Bali saves a lot of time.
I have always enjoyed Garuda and the crew are genuinely warm and friendly.
i wouldn't worry about not being able to confirm the flight. If you are concerned then perhaps call the Australian office once you have your ticket and get them to add a note into the booking that you will be on a cruise?
are they actually allowed to fly outside Indonesia as they seem to have a history of problems and being in the wrong place at the wrong time
They are only proscribed from flying to the EU, and that's because the EU is unhappy with the Indonesian government's desultory regulatory body, not because they're unhappy with Garuda.
GA has passed all the ICAO safety mandates, both for maintenance and crew training. They can -- and do -- fly regular services to China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, besides Australia.
Garuda
