Bouraq - how I miss them! They flew some wonderful old planes to some wonderful destinations, and I think most of there planes are still rusting away at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. They used to give you a small packet of nuts with 'Enjoy this peanut, with our compliment' written on

Sempati (who I presume, but not guarantee that's who you meant) actually bought the standard of flying up a notch (imo) by bringing in new planes, decent service, good time-keeping, and they used to run an in-flight raffle (win a pair of return tickets anywhere on their network) on every flight (which my dad once won!). However, the ASEAN financial crisis did for them.

Anyway, in this day and age, there are certain routes you do not have any options, so I often find myself flying a bunch of unusual airlines (Transnusa, Merpati etc etc), and will soon experience Batavia as they are the only airline flying Singapore - Semarang which I need.

However, I will not let my family fly Lion Air. I will fly Garuda wherever I can, and whatever the additional cost, except when I have an option with Mandala who have reputedly brought themselves right up to scratch (I've used them a lot, but not in the last 3/4 years).

I flew a very old Srijawaya plane recently (Padang - Jakarta) that I must admit I felt very uncomfortable in unusually, and Indonesia Air Asia has always played silly buggers with their schedules.

However, with Indonesian Aviation, everyone has an opinion, so just airing mine. I'm glad the market has opened up though, means I don't have to sit on Pelni Ships for days on end anymore!