Garuda Indonesia

✅ Verified Review | Yogyakarta to Denpasar with Garuda. It's the attention to detail that separates great airlines from the ordinary. The flight was delayed by 20 min and boarding in rainy weather. Each passenger was given an umbrella to walk just a few feet. Onboard an old aircraft but well maintained and clean with comfortable seats and leg space. Crew could be a little bit more interactive as some looked as though they didn't want to be spoken too but they did an efficient service with tea and coffee served on this 1 hour flight. Anything that was requested was met efficiently and instantly. All in all a very good flight.

✅ Verified Review | Flew Jakarta to Denpasar return on Boeing737-800. Outbound flight was perfectly fine. Checked in was fast at the brand new Terminal 3 building in Jakarta Soetta, and we had to use a bus to get to the plane. Flight departed on time using a Sky Interior 737. Crew with plenty of warm smiles, genuine hospitality and fluent English. IFE had a responsive touchscreen with adequate content, meals were good enough for the 5-star standard. The return flight (GA411) was delayed 7.5 hours. Scheduled departure was pushed back four times, to 6:20pm, to 9:30pm, to 10pm then to 11pm. For compensation, we were given Rp 300K voucher (not worth it considering the delay length) as well as dinner in the airport. Flight ended up departing at 11:09pm and arriving at midnight in Soetta. Additionally, the plane was a standard 737 which was not very comfortable for sleeping. IFE was the old version with mediocre touchscreens. Meal was surprisingly good, but most importantly, the cabin crew did not show their tiredness from working a full day. They were with pleasant smiles and the service was even better than the outbound flight. Overall an excellent experience with Garuda, however they need to step up their delay handling.

✅ Verified Review | Jakarta to Singapore return on Garuda Indonesia. Overall very pleased with their service. Ground crew at CGK very professional and accommodating, however the lounge has room to improve. Outbound on a clean 777-300ER, seating configuration of 1-2-1 with plenty of room in the aisle was much appreciated. Food was a bit disappointing, but at least the portion was good enough. Their 'Stars' IFE still needs improving compared to Singapore operating the same route. Return flight on one of the newer A330-300 planes with the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration in Business Class. On the return flight I booked myself a low-calorie meal, and when it came to my table, it didn't disappoint in terms of presentation and flavour. Better value than Singapore Airlines and would happily favour GA again in the future.

✅ Verified Review | Flying Jakarta to Surabaya only takes 1 hour. The flight was very smooth. The check-in is fast in Terminal 3 which has a lot of counter. Boarding was on time. I think Garuda has managed their operation very well in T3. Candies were distributed prior take-off. IFE was amazing in this October. There are more new movies in the IFE. Snack was distributed with beverages. It was all very efficient in this short flight. The FA also managed to serve some people shopping in their in-flight shop. The Magazine is quite amazing. . I am looking forward to flying with GA with longer haul to enjoy its great service.

✅ Verified Review | Following a 3 hour "layover" at Jakarta, I was ready the continue my onward flight to Singapore. Business class on the 737 was a 2-2 configuration and I had the front 2 seats to myself with another passenger occupying the other 2 front row seats across the gangway. Otherwise, business class was empty but economy appeared to be full. These are not lie flat seats but given the relative shortness of the flight, (1hour 30 minutes) offer more than adequate space and comfort. I was greeted warmly by the steward who addressed me by my name and offered a warm towel and champagne prior to departure. I was asked for my choice of post take off drink and my choice for dinner which consisted of a mixed salad with dressing, and then a choice from 3 main courses, followed by desert. In addition to the Champagne, there was a choice of 2 white and 2 red wines to accompany the meal. All 3 courses of the dinner were served together which, given the relative shortness of the flight, was not unreasonable, and my choice of Fillet Mignon with accompanying vegetables was excellent. The crew were very attentive and provided an excellent level of service throughout the flight. I was asked by the steward if I objected to an economy class passengers cabin bag being placed in a business class over head bin because the economy class bins were all full. On arrival at Singapore, disembarkation at Changi was swift but business class passengers are not offered a fast track pass through immigration, although this did not prove to be a problem as there were few arriving passengers. The only negative about this service is that despite being labelled clearly as business class priority luggage, my bag arrived on the carousel last! Not sure if this is something to do with the bags being transferred from the London flight, but I did spend a few anxious minutes waiting and wondering if it hadn't been loaded onto the flight. Overall however, a most pleasing experience and one that I would happily experience again.

✅ Verified Review | London Heathrow to Jakarta. Priority check in was excellent as was the fast track pass through security. Garuda do not have their own dedicated lounge at LHR and I was directed to the Number 1 traveller lounge which was a disappointment. Very busy, it was impossible to obtain a table in the dining area and I managed to eventually find an empty seat in the lounge area. Leaving this to go to the bar to obtain a drink, my seat had been taken when I returned! Once on board the aircraft, the service was superb. Pre boarded and greeted by my name, I was shown to my seat (6K) and offered Champage and hot towel. My order was taken for post take off drinks and the In flight meal. After take off the drink was served promptly and courteously and I was again addressed by my name. Dinner consisted of a choice of 4 appetizers,4 main courses, cheese and biscuits and a choice of 2 desserts and each course was served separately. A selection of Champagne, 3 white wines, 3 red wines and a desert wine complimented the meal, although this aspect of the service was a little slower and the crew seemed suprised that I wanted white wine with the appetizer and then change to red wine with the main course. The seat was particularly comfortable and had direct aisle access (1-2-1 configuration) despite being a window seat. Following a good night's sleep, I enjoyed a pleasant breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt and cereals followed by a choice from 3 dishes on the main course. In addition, hot and cold snacks were available on demand during the flight plus a selection of tea and coffee. The crew were discreet but attentive throughout and made the journey a real pleasure. The flight was punctual and it didn't feel as though I'd spent 14 hours on board. Overall, very impressed. Thoroughly enjoyed the flight but I'd like to see Garuda use a different lounge at LHR.

Flew Singapore to London Heathrow with Garuda. Business class check in was fast and efficient and I was provided with an invitation to the Dnata lounge which was quiet and relaxing prior to the long flight back to London. Boarding was on time and business class passengers were offered priority boarding. There are 2 business class cabins on Garuda's 777 and I chose seat 6K (the same as on my outbound flight), immediately behind the 1st class cabin, that appeared to be empty. I'm not sure how many business class passengers were in the 2nd business cabin, but I had the entire front cabin to myself. The customary glass of champage and hot towel were provided prior to take off along wth my order for a post take off drink and my selection for lunch. This consisted of a choice from 4 appetizers, 4 main courses, cheese and a choice of 2 deserts. The identical wine selection of Champagne, 3 white wines, 3 red wines and a desert wine were offered as on the outbound flight. Garuda also place significant importance on the selection of teas and coffees that they offer with no fewer than 6 different teas and 2 coffees, that can be served 8 different ways. The whole food and beverage service was excellent in terms of quality, presentation and service. Despite this being a flight operating throughout daylight hours and arriving into Heathrow in the early evening, I personally prefer to try and stay awake as much as possible to re accustom myself to English time, but I've noticed that all airlines that I've used on Westbound daylight flights insist on lowering the window shades and plunging the cabin into darkness after the meal and Garuda are no different. Surely it's better to let the natural daylight in and use the provided eye shades if you want to snooze. Having the cabin to myself resulted in me lifting the window blinds and bringing natural daylight back into the cabin. I doubt that this would have been tollerated if there had been other passengers in the vicinity. I.F.E. with Garuda is okay but there seems to be an accent towards Far Eastern films and my perception of Western offerings seemed somewhat dated. Prior to landing at Heathrow another meal consisting of a choice of 3 appetizers, 3 main courses and 1 desert were offered, that Garuda describe as "refreshment," but was in fact a full early evening meal. An on demand cafe service of nuts, chocolate bars, soup etc. is also provided throughout the flight. Disembarkation at Heathrow was swift and efficient and a fast pass was provided for immigration although Heathrow would do well to have more staff on duty (only 2 when I arrived) as I'm not convinced that there is any significant advantage to this service. Luggage reclaim was fast with my bag first on the carousel. The actual process from disembarking to picking up my car in terminal 3's car park took 25 minutes which was pretty impressive. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable flight. Unlike some better known, perhaps more fashionable Middle Eastern airlines, Garuda offer the advantage of all business class seats on their 777's having gangway access, so you don't have to be a gymnast trying to climb over someone with their seat fully reclined if you're in a window seat, and wish to move about the cabin. This in itself is a definate advantage flying with this airline. Service is attentive and personable without being obtrusive and the food was very well presented and of a good quality. I was at first reluctant to fly with this airline but I will willingly fly with them again.

✅ Verified Review | Flew Amsterdam to Jakarta via Denpasar. Checked in from a connecting flight, first time using a Skyteam alliance airline as apposed to my normal alliance preference. Ticket was at a reasonable cost so went for Garuda for a change, bags already transferred from a connecting KLM flight. Used the KLM Crowne lounge (52) which is okay nothing special. Boarding through F12 quick and organised on to a 777-300ER which looked and felt pretty new, seat 8A in the front section of business class. Seat was comfortable in a 1-2-1 configuration so private and similar to many Asian airlines, crew provided hot towels & drinks pre-departure. Departed right on time and once airborne the service was good and attentive, meals were okay with dinner a snack mid flight and a full breakfast service 2 hours out of Jakata; I found the crew to be very polite the aircraft was kept clean during the 13hrs 30 min flight, arrived 10 minutes early, if I had a complaint the cabin temperature was far too warm for me 25c at times. Jakata (CGK) isn't the best transfer from international to domestic was pretty slow no premium service although the domestic terminal and Garuda lounge are new and pretty comfortable. Boarding on to a 737-800 from gate 12 to seat 1A the aircraft looked clean and tidy, service was really very good as was the food on this flight, departed 20 minutes late for a flight of 1hr 40 minutes, arrived just about on time on to an airbridge. Off quickly although bags seemed to take ages. Good service, maybe not Qatar but better than my preferred carrier and good value.

Singapore to London with Garuda. The service was excellent which is expected of Garuda. The flight overall was very smooth and the food was delicious. Check-in was seamless all the way until boarded the plane. The business class product was top notch quality with sufficient privacy and comfortable seats. Luxurious amenities were also given and there was a wide range of entertainment to pick from. Great job Garuda.

✅ Verified Review | Garuda’s Hard Product is pretty good by Economy Class standards. Heathrow – Singapore via Jakarta. Flight ex-Heathrow was a 777-300ER. Online Check In allowed me to select my seat but not to print my boarding pass. Baggage Allowance was a very generous 30kg. On time departure, aircraft appeared to be about 70% full. The seats were reasonably comfortable and leg room was good by economy class standards. Seating configuration was 3-3-3 which is better than offered by many other 777 operators. On demand entertainment system with a reasonable selection of films and music (a good proportion aimed at Asian tastes). The movies weren’t generally as current as some other long haul airlines and the menu system could have organised both movies and music more effectively for ease of navigation but there were enough of both to keep me occupied. Two hot meals served – Dinner and Breakfast – each with two options, Western and Asian. The meals were nothing at all special, standard economy class fodder really, although a printed menu was provided which was a nice touch and there were a couple of hot snack runs between the main meals. Crew were polite and reasonably visible throughout, although some of the cabin announcements were in such heavily accented English that it wasn’t always easy to understand. Connecting flight from Jakarta on a 737-800. Flight time was just 1 hour 20 minutes but impressively there was still a hot meal and full drinks service. Less impressively, I asked a stewardess whether there were any embarkation cards for Singapore but she just looked baffled and said she would be back in a moment. She never returned. Return direct Singapore - London again on a 777-300ER and again with only partly functional online check in. Departure was on time and seating configuration, occupancy, IFE pretty much the same as the outward leg. Once again, two hot meals en-route, although the only option for second meal was fish. The “hot snack” served between meals turned out to be a cold filled roll, and when I asked for a refill of coffee the stewardess seemed genuinely surprised and I was given just a quarter of a cup which turned out to be lukewarm. Garuda’s ‘Hard Product’ is actually pretty good by Economy Class standards, but I get the feeling that service and catering standards have slipped a bit in recent years.