Flying High... Garuda Indonesia!

Garuda Indonesia saw me push back my summer holiday departure by two days, their Shanghai to Jakarta schedule was a priority of mine! I had already flown with Singapore and Malaysia's flag carriers, I wanted to see how Indonesia's compared? Ever the 'Av Geek', I really appreciated the cabin crews gesture after our arrival from Shanghai, CN. Terima Kasih, Garuda! 

Controversy has somewhat marred Garuda Indonesia's reputation as an air worthy flag carrier airline, there's much to unpack. I wouldn't rule out an Indonesian travel return in the future so I will choose my words carefully, you know this! Many things have taken place with this Jakarta based national airline, one factor that has stopped me from taking this airline from Europe was their 'European Flight Ban' halting any operations to and from the United Kingdom. That ban spanned all Indonesian airlines not just Garuda, let me make it clear because the controversy attracted me to Garuda even more! I love a bad boy, girl or non-binary being! Cut to the feeling, I had no issues checking in at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport at Terminal 2. July was a blessing but it also marked one month before my work trip to London, I needed that Indonesia bound flight to take off on-time! Things at work had been more than stressful, I needed my Indonesian summer holiday to commence without trouble! Oh, Garuda Indonesia had my back! 

I got lost? No, I was reminded of my British Airways flight that would take me on that study visit, after clocking that departing London bound flight I needed reassurance from Garuda! Yes, that Indonesian aircraft had landed from Jakarta and was being prepared for my flight to Jakarta's Seokarno-Hatta International Airport. I headed for some breakfast and a pint or two because I had a feeling that Indonesia for the best part was going to be a dry affair, until Bali and Gili Air at least. In that moment I still expected to be served an ice cold can of Bintang! The Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Garuda Indonesia did show some visible wear and tear from the outside, the fuselage needed a certain refresh but their livery was fresh and made up for those imperfections. I had every confidence that my chosen Jakarta bound aircraft would be perfectly safe, I had no reservations other than the ones I had made at the time of booking. Of course, the drama was high and I wanted to experience that direct service to Jakarta over others on offer! 

Boarding was from one of the central gates at Terminal 2, it was great not having to take the satellite train to the far-out satellite gates adjoining to the main terminal. That closer gate allowed me to have another drink at 'Wolfgang Puck!' Boarding was smooth, no issues arose and people kept on moving, I wasn't mad about that! An on-time departure was ensured, push back wasn't delayed whatsoever! Getting on our way to Jakarta felt correct! Was the cabin a bit dated? I am going to keep things honest because I'm definitely not in any paid partnership with any airline and even if I was, I'd still be telling no lies! Yes, I could definitely tell that this bird had been flying for a long time, age before beauty is sometimes the case! Since taking that Jakarta bound flight, I have found that Garuda Indonesia had been going through a really uncertain couple of years. Investment in these cabins or new aircrafts would be the way to go but every airline needs to process change at different paces. How would Garuda's IFE turn out? Let's go! 

The flight over to Jakarta was around five hours, I was thankful for that mid-haul flight time. I scrolled through the dated in-flight entertainment system, it told me quickly that my choices would be limited. When things were looking dark I struck gold! I went with 'Elvis', it was a full feature film and would last for a nice portion of the flight. I was taken on an immersive journey through the life of America's forever music legend, Elvis Presley! From humble beginnings, it was shady how he stole musical styles from Black artists, that wasn't cool! It was a vulnerable tell all movie with depiction of his family not dealing well with life at Graceland. His relationship was challenged, Priscilla didn't appreciate his cheating with those next girls. Exploitation in the music industry was evident, it was a very good watch with insight that many music icons would be done dirty in the future. Out of the limited western options, I really enjoyed watching 'Elvis' with those key features told about his life, fame and death. How would the food taste? Let's see! 

As I supped on my cold can of Bintang Pilsen, I thought about whether the crew were going to be camera shy? I was hoping for something more than previous flight because when an airline is down on their luck, it's usually the crew who pull it out of the bag! That interaction was made, I had asked politely and I waited for a response. In the meantime, it was time for the meal service to commence. Would there be an option for us to choose from? There actually was! I went for the chicken and mashed potatoes because life in China doesn't see me eating much mashed potatoes even though I could make it perfectly well in my apartment! I tucked into my Garuda meal with curiosity, this was whilst I watched 'Elvis'. I was impressed, the chicken wasn't dry and the potatoes were nice. You must know that I ate the chocolate cake without discrimination, I had no complaints. The meal service was swift and it was apparent beer and wines were being served. I definitely had already consumed a wine before the meal service had commenced. Yes!

I didn't know how dry my trip would be after getting off that Garuda flight. I had no idea! It was apparent that the heavily conservative Indonesian government allowed the consumption of alcohol on their international flights and that had been the same for me within Malaysia. I was sensing a theme, I would be shedding some weight after adopting a Halal situation. Truly, I did what I could throughout those dry moments to get a drink or two but Garuda could've told me that I was in danger, girl! There was only one meal served on that Shanghai to Jakarta flight with snacks not mentioned, to be honest I didn't notice anything presented in the galley. I did walk to the back of the aircraft a few times because I did enjoy a few red wines, without realising was I getting the last drinks of the trip? No! I asked one crew member about a photo being possible with a consenting crew member at some point during the flight? A male crew member came to my seat, he informed me that the crew weren't camera shy and after arrival was the best time. 

Garuda Indonesia had won several awards for having 'The World's Best Airline Cabin Crew' from 2014 to 2018 and more recently in 2023. I could sense that Garuda's winning formula was their cabin crew, promoting a friendly image in the face of nearing bankruptcy and an aged fleet. I did notice one male crew member who looked like he loved the gym and hadn't missed any meals, the forbidden nature of that fruit in Indonesia made things seem more enticing. Garuda already had me looking for something that wasn't government approved, this destination was meant to be! Before I disembarked that Jakarta parked aircraft, I was ushered to the Business Class seats, a photo opportunity awaited me. Of course, the photo opportunity didn't need any instruction, I followed the crews lead and posed without thought! Garuda Indonesia really made things special for me, that was a crew decision not airline one. It was a true surprise, I was thankful! I thanked the crew for their kindness, disembarking I began my holiday with a skip in my step! Ay0 pergi! 

My Garuda Indonesia flight had finished its CGK-PVG-CGK sectors, I want to express that this aircraft had docked at what felt like the furthest away gates from the arrivals area. I qualified for 'Visa on Arrival', whilst that had me feeling good, the walk from the plane to the visa counter did not! I am not throwing shade at the airline in this instance, I wanted to express my annoyance with Jakarta's Terminal 3! After paying for my visa, I made my way to the carousel with my suitcase already set aside, had I been the slow one? I had found myself in a confused state trying to find anything without signage being clear and the staff not wanting to make a mistake, it was a choice! It was a long thing, that was Soekarno-Hatta's problem not Garuda's! All in all, my experience with the Indonesian flag carrier was positive with definite room for improvement, I won't lie about that! Which flag carrier airline do I need to try next? Soekarno-Hatta really brought the chaos, getting into my Grab car was a relief! Guy to my left, I needed your number! 

Terima Kasih! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure