The First Class Experience with Garuda Indonesia
#76
Good to know how Garuda is investing and improving their premium class by leaps and bounds! I think it is due to their alliance with Etihad.
However, my flights with them have been inconsistent for the last 12 months. Range from good to really scary. Had a rough landing on one of their domestic legs just last month, and 2 months ago, I was served a black corn on a SIN-CGK flight!
As for the F suites, I think they will also be introduced to the CGK-LHR routes later this year, so GA is also aiming for the Kangaroo route LHR-CGK-SYD with the new F.
However, my flights with them have been inconsistent for the last 12 months. Range from good to really scary. Had a rough landing on one of their domestic legs just last month, and 2 months ago, I was served a black corn on a SIN-CGK flight!
As for the F suites, I think they will also be introduced to the CGK-LHR routes later this year, so GA is also aiming for the Kangaroo route LHR-CGK-SYD with the new F.
#78
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Wonderful trip report, amazing! I do hope they will maintain the consistency of their service up there. Did 4 trips with Garuda in the last 2 months, ( 2 biz class to HK, And 1 in coach to Bali and Surabaya, very very impressed with overall service delivery. Especially the biz class service standard is even improved further compared to the trip i did early this year...including improvement in their entertainment program. Pleasenty supprised to see that popular comedies series like modern family, the big bang theory, are now available even in short domestic flights......great!!!. Room improvement is for economy class checking staff in Jakarta airport, they looked exhausted, while for biz class checking staff and procedure...i have to say one of the best if not the best based on my own experience.
#79
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: LAX, SIN, CGK
Programs: UA, AA EXP
Posts: 201
i remember when my friend teases me whenever im flying w garuda.
havent flown Garuda for more than 20 years, WOW. thanks for the trip report,
their effort to improve has been very impressive!
havent flown Garuda for more than 20 years, WOW. thanks for the trip report,
their effort to improve has been very impressive!
#81
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New York, Singapore, Seoul
Programs: SA Lifetime Gold, DL Diamond, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 269
Not Etihad but benchmarking SQ in Garuda's "Quantum Leap Forward" investment to improve overall service, increase fleet to 154 with avg age of 5 years and fly 32 million passengers per annum starting 2015. If Garuda pulls this off, I will take over SQ in terms of passenger, fleet and revenue size - SQ fleet size was 102 and carried 18 million passengers in 2012. One major fault in Garuda's equation though is that CGK does not have the capacity, structural design nor technology to support their business goals. And while current airport improvements/ expansion are underway, it will not be big enough nor fully completed by 2015.
#82
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 249
In the meantime, I jsut heard that SYD will now be delayed until the 5th B77W has arrived or just prior to the introduction on CGK-London (unsure now whether it is LGW or LHR) sometimes May 2014.
Looks and sounds fantastic! I particularly like the details like the Pearl Spoon being used for the Caviar! LH could learn from Garuda on this!
The choice of champagnes however did not impress much. Really a non-issue for most people but since they are going all out, might as well improve this part to be more competitive.
The choice of champagnes however did not impress much. Really a non-issue for most people but since they are going all out, might as well improve this part to be more competitive.
I am truly impressed by how much Garuda Indonesia has improved over the years. I think it has undegone a quantum leap forward already. I remember flying Garuda on C while I lived in Jakarta some years back and not being sure if we would arrive safely or not at our destination.
Take a look at them now. Two thumbs up for Garuda. Look forward to seeing the airline becoming a member of Sky Team in 2014. ^^
Take a look at them now. Two thumbs up for Garuda. Look forward to seeing the airline becoming a member of Sky Team in 2014. ^^
Not Etihad but benchmarking SQ in Garuda's "Quantum Leap Forward" investment to improve overall service, increase fleet to 154 with avg age of 5 years and fly 32 million passengers per annum starting 2015. If Garuda pulls this off, I will take over SQ in terms of passenger, fleet and revenue size - SQ fleet size was 102 and carried 18 million passengers in 2012. One major fault in Garuda's equation though is that CGK does not have the capacity, structural design nor technology to support their business goals. And while current airport improvements/ expansion are underway, it will not be big enough nor fully completed by 2015.
I agree with the CGK challenge. Let's hope there will be no more delay to T3.
#83
Not Etihad but benchmarking SQ in Garuda's "Quantum Leap Forward" investment to improve overall service, increase fleet to 154 with avg age of 5 years and fly 32 million passengers per annum starting 2015. If Garuda pulls this off, I will take over SQ in terms of passenger, fleet and revenue size - SQ fleet size was 102 and carried 18 million passengers in 2012. One major fault in Garuda's equation though is that CGK does not have the capacity, structural design nor technology to support their business goals. And while current airport improvements/ expansion are underway, it will not be big enough nor fully completed by 2015.
For domestic flights in Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia is the best bet, but for regional flights, I would probably pick SQ or CX even if it means the need to transfer since many of the short haul flights are operated by a 738 which can be quite cramped in the back when the flights are full.
It is SQ that GA is trying to beat and copy here and so far it has been successful. Not SQ yet but it is getting there. I can tell you that my F experience onboard GA is in may ways better than what SQ is offering in F. The only other challenge that Garuda is facing is CGK.
I agree with the CGK challenge. Let's hope there will be no more delay to T3.
I agree with the CGK challenge. Let's hope there will be no more delay to T3.
#85
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: North of Carlisle
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,529
Wow, great report and service by the looks of it. I flew with Garuda many years ago from Bali to Amsterdam and it was an awful experience. How things have changed; standards, cabin and service look amazing
#86
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 249
#87
#89
I don't mean to hijack the OPs thread, but I'd like to add another compliment to GA for having free AVOD in Y aboard some 738s. Definitely didn't expect to see it on my UPG-MDC flight this year, so anything that helps to distract...