Originally Posted by
cochinjew
This past month i had two experiences of trying to transfer from NRT JL flight Bz class to KUL MH flight and a week later SIN SQ flight to JL NRT flight.
It was comical, as NO ONE seem to know the procedure. A transfer desk in place but it is never manned and there are other official looking people all giving you different explanations.
CGK unforutnately does not allow early issue of Boarding pass, so on both occasions I arrived checked in but without boarding pass .
In both instances it was an unpleasant experience. I lost some valuables also at the security check in as I was in such a hurry to get to the gate.
Best, if you can get a boarding pass
second best: if you have time and ASEAN passport, go through the immigration and get the boarding pass at the airlines counter which must be open
If you have a passport that requires you to pay a fee to clear immigration, then try to get hold of your airline agent at CGK airport and they might come and rescue you with a boarding pass .
In my case, as I was connecting at NRT to JFK, didnt wish to miss the flight, so i begged a young man (they all taking photos with their phones of your previous boarding pass, passport and also your face) to come with me to the gate , after clearning the security. Nearly an hour of back and forth , texting and talking and they finally allowed me to go through the security and I went to the JL gate and they called down to the agent (JL gate agents cant issue boarding passes) and Chrisma the agent very quickly brought by boarding pass and I was able to board the flight . Unable to enjoy Plaza Premium Lounge or the Wifi.
Right now there are very attractive Bz class fare to and fro CGK and that was the reason I flew to CGK and connected to KUL.
No more, it is not worth the hassle and being treated like a criminal by the security, police and airline personnel.
I travel a fair bit, this certainly was the worst transfer experience. Good bye CGK
it is a catch 22. they cant issue boarding passes and you cant enter the transit security without the boarding pass and no one knows what to do!
Adding a bit more info to the above:
1. Apparently, Indonesian regulations require a standard check in desk issued boarding pass for your onward flight in order to transit airside. While I witnessed someone argue their way through with a mobile boarding pass, there is certainly a risk you'll be forced to go through standard immigration. Best to have your onward boarding pass issued by the agent checking you in to your flight TO Jakarta if at all possible.
2. Behind the scenes, the authorities require a Letter of Guarantee issued by your inbound airline. I don't know what the letter says specifically but it is issued by the airline to immigration/customs. This adds to the overall process time.
3. Despite transiting, Indonesian Customs and Immigration will still review your passport and onward boarding pass (and take pictures of everything).
While everyone is kind and accommodating, it's best to be prepared for a long process. Multiple people need to be summoned (airline agent, airport agent, immigration agent, customs agent) to facilitate the airside transfer process.