Review of SilkAir flight Bandung-Java Island → Singapore in Economy

On our last day, we purchased some Indonesian pastries and cakes from a famous store Kartika Sari.






And a final lunch of Nasi Padang before checking out from the hotel.




Again, we took the complimentary hotel transfer to the airport. However, instead of the 15min ride from the airport to hotel, the 3km journey to the airport now took almost 45min! This was due to the heavily congested single-lane road to the airport terminal building, and with it being a Sunday with many Indonesians flying back to their hometown after a weekend shopping, it certainly made the traffic worse. Luckily we heed the advise of the hotel staff and left for the airport earlier.

The terminal is currently undergoing a much needed expansion to handle the increasing flights.




Finally reaching the terminal after a long crawl along the airport access road.




The tiny check-in hall was very crowded with passengers checking in for their flights.




However, SilkAir's two check-in counters were surprisingly empty. Having done online check-in, our bags were tagged and we received our boarding passes with barely a wait.




Boarding pass issued. SilkAir seemed to have changed the design of their boarding passes, with the A Joy to Fly tagline.




With nothing much to do, we proceeded through immigration and security to the holding area/room of the sole international departure gate. There was a small café and a shop within the holding area as well.




For reasons unknown, our flight was never listed on the flight information display.




The airport was rather busy at this time, with up to 6 planes parked on the tarmac awaiting departure.




And at times, boarding passengers of various flights were strolling along the tarmac to their aircraft at the same time(makes me wonder if anyone had boarded the wrong aircraft before).




Our baby airbus landed on schedule from Singapore, backtracked down the runway and taxied in. From the terminal, the A319 seemed huge as it taxied past.




Wondering how the aircraft will move into its parking bay, the A319 stopped and shut down its engine…




Before being pushed back into its parking bay by a push-back truck.




Following the arrival of our baby airbus, there was a wave of departures, including Citilink A320 with winglets. Note the disembarking pax from the SilkAir flight were held on the tarmac till the aircraft taxied pass, before crossing the tarmac to the arrival hall.




LionAir B738. also heading for departure.





12 April 2015
SilkAir
MI 195
Bandung (BDO) - Singapore (SIN)
A319
9V-SBF
Economy Class

After the aircraft was serviced (surprisingly including catering of meals as I though MI often do round-trip catering from Singapore), boarding was announced. As expected on MI, boarding was conducted very orderly. Boarding pass torn and down the stairs to the tarmac we went.

Walking to our A319 aircraft and boarding from the rear. As usual in Indonesia, nobody bat an eyelid at my photo-taking on the tarmac.












Was welcomed onboard at the rear galley by a very cheerful SilkAir girl and proceeded to our seats at 20A/C. Again, the middle seat was kept empty as the flight was not full.

Row of seats.




Settled at our seats with boarding still in progress.




Seat pitch is decent for the short flight. Newspapers and blankets were immediately offered by the crew shortly after boarding. There were 4 crew on board this flight, 3 crew serving in Economy and the purser in Business.




At our parking stand. The skies are gradually turning dark and stormy.




A look at the seatback contents. This aircraft is also equipped with SilkAir's wifi IFE system, SilkAir Studio.




Refreshing towels are handed out. Flight time was announced to be 1h40m.




Safety video is played from the overhead screens.




A shot of the safety video.




Unlike the arrival, there was no need to be pushed back for departure. Engines started, flaps down and we started taxi. The weather also turned for the worse and it started raining.




Holding for an AirAsia flight to land.




Soon, we were cleared for the backtrack down the runway, make a U-turn, followed by a powerful departure from Rwy29, bound for Singapore.




Climbing through the bad weather. However the ascent was as turbulent as initially expected.






After takeoff announcement.




Meal service started about 15min after takeoff. 2 carts were used, 1 from the front and the other from the mid of the cabin.




Meal cart slowly making its way to our row. The set of crew on this flight was excellent, being really friendly and cheerful while conducting the service. Also, this flight was 3 days before the SilkAir crew change their uniform, hence will also be my last flight with them in the old uniform.




A choice of either Chicken with pasta or Spicy fish with steamed rice was offered. We chose one of each (and actually got the last fish option). The meal came with a dessert and cuplet of water. I had an orange juice and a tea to go along. The meals are catered out of Bandung instead of Singapore. Guess it is cheaper than to uplift a round-trip of meals?




Spicy fish with steamed rice. The supposedly spicy fish was tasteless with minuscule portion, and the vegetables were chemical-tasting. Really disappointing meal…




Chicken pasta was slightly better, but also very ordinary. Give me a AirAsia nasi lemak anytime!




Dessert was an artificial-tasting strawberry mousse cake. SilkAir's catering out of Bandung really disappoints….




I tried out SilkAir Studio on my smartphone, and watched an episode of the Singapore comedy, The Noose. Check out the famous Lulu!




A selection of music albums are also available.




Descend soon commenced, with a nice view of the sunset during approach.








We came in from the south, flying along the busy Singapore harbour during the approach to Rwy02L for landing.












Video of the approach and landing on Rwy02L. We landed slightly ahead of schedule.




Had a rather long taxi to Terminal 2 where we would be parked.




And arrived at the gate awaiting disembarkation.





Thanks for reading. Your comments are much welcomed!