Check in was opened at 7.00am and we reached the airport at 07.05am so that the check in is still empty. There are 6 check in agents in total, 2 for Business/Sky priority which the other 4 are for economy class & group check in. We are checked in seamlessly and takes about 10mins for them to check us in as we have already online check in the night before.
Boarding was made, too bad Garuda used a remote stand, so we were boarded from the bus gate downstairs. We were welcomed by The Blue Kebaya Attendant and the Inflight Supervisor by the entrance of the plane with "Selamat Pagi" (means Good Morning) greetings and followed by the direction to the seat.
I am quite relieved that Garuda used the one of the newest Airbus 330 (PK-GHC) for this flight with a very responsive touch screen 11 inch AVOD monitor, more than enough legroom, foot rest and no AVOD box below the seat. While some of the airline has been removing footrest for most of their fleet, Garuda trying to introduce the footrest for their current and upcoming fleet.
The blanket was already on each seat while we were boarded and soon after all pax have been boarded, the crew started to distribute 330ml mineral water. The seat pocket's usual items were inside: Garuda Magazine, Safety instruction card, Entertainment magazine (STAR), air sickness bag and earpiece.
After all pax were boarded, the Captain spoke from the flight deck explaining that they we're told by the ATC to hold position for about 10-15 minutes due to the traffic condition at PVG Airport and requested the crew to close the door and switch to automatic.
After 12 minutes, the safety video in Indonesia/English and subtitled in Chinese was played while the plane was started moving towards the runaway for take off.
Shortly after take off, the crew distributed the amenity kit. I opened the amenity kit at home.
Lavatory - Lotion and Perfume are still in place at that time, when I used the lavatory again during decent, all was gone.
The first round of drink service with mixed nuts.
Around 30 minutes after drink service, they started to distribute lunch service. Lunch selection was fish with white rice or chicken with yellow rice. I chose the later. The food was excellent, the chicken is called "ayam gulai", one of the famous dishes from Padang, West Sumatra. The chicken was cooked with coconut milk and herbs+spices, which normally resulted in a glimpse taste of spicy/hot. But for the catering, it is not spicy at all. Yellow rice was a bit bland, the turmeric taste and smell was not too strong. It is always a pleasure to have an Indonesian food onboard, you can still feel the richness of the spices after couple of spoon though. In addition, the crew offered "Miso Soup" to complete the meal.
And oh.. they kneel down while talking to you when explaining the food choices, keeping their eyes on the same level with yours. Maybe this is case by case basis since they have adequate time to serve lunch due to the load.
The load factor was not too well, can be seen from the photos that too many seats were empty which probably it is only 50% in Y and I am not sure in J.
While browsing the AVOD, I found something that really interesting. Garuda provide a "safety features" in the AVOD so that you can watch the safety video anytime and on demand.
The skies are clear that day, flying at 40,000ft.
2 hours before landing, the crew distributed ice cream with another round of drink service.
When the captain alarmed the crew for "prepare for landing", the crew started to check the entire cabin and distributing candies for all pax.
Bonus: Terminal 3 - New Home for Garuda
My flight was on 01 May 2017 - the same day as the opening of International terminal for Garuda (Terminal 3). Garuda Indonesia for domestic flight has been moved last year, followed by Garuda International on May 2017 and followed by another Skyteam members when the last pier has been finished.
The aerobridge
A long way to the arrival hall from aerobridge. But you can see the airport was still not up to standard in terms of cleanliness and workmanship.
On the right side is the transfer desk and pax can go there and go up for another international connecting flight.
Immigration.
Arrival
Having an architecture background, I tend to see the details and workmanship of a building. This building is still lack of high quality workmanship & materials as well. When you compare to Changi Airport, Changi is way more than this terminal. Hopefully what I saw on that day will be rectified sooner or later, which I understand they might be rushing in order to meet the deadline from authority and the rectification works will still can be done after the opening.
Some of the items that were caught by my eyes ie. the aerobridge & arrival carpet + the tiles at immigration was installed not aligned with each other, the wall is dirty and not straight, the wave ceiling is not properly waved and the edge is still lack of nice finishing, stainless steel skirting is not properly glued to wall.
One more thing that I am saddened about this terminal is lack of skylight. Jakarta located in tropical climate and have sun all over the year abundantly and the roof of the airport is covered, therefore the airport looks dark and required lighting all over the terminal building.
All in all, it is quite of improvement of Jakarta to have the terminal like this and hopefully CGK will be the next award-winning airport and a convenient transit hub for Garuda Indonesia / Skyteam.
Nice review on Garuda Y for this route. I took exactly the same route 2 months ago in J, and it was such a marvelous experience with them.
A bit sad to see the load factor in Y, whereas in my last flight, it was almost a full house both in Y and J. I wonder if this is seasonal.
Thanks again for the review.
Hello, Lew777, and thank you for sharing this FR.
The comfort kit looks like that's an upgrade, compared to the simple translucent pouch I had on my flight from Bali to Melbourne in 2012. In times of cost-cutting measures, it's definitely a step up.
Still a solid product on GA even in Y it seems. Do they still offer metal cutlery for Y passengers, or have they downgraded to plastic?
Awesome bonus on the international arrivals area of Terminal 3.
"One more thing that I am saddened about this terminal is lack of skylight."
-Honestly, that frustrates me more than the lack of cleanliness. I have addressed my concerns on one of my FRs as well - but it seems that won't change anytime soon.
Thanks again. Cheers!
Hi MRTY, thank you for your comment. Indeed I agree with you about the seasonal load, which the month that I fly was not consider a holiday season for both Indonesia & China, therefore the load was light..
Thank you for reading Razza. Yes Garuda still provide metal cutlery for all of their flights. And the cleanliness of the airport still acceptable as it was the 1st day of operation.
For cleanliness of toilet they did follow Changi's which an attendant is provided for each toilet and for the terminal itself I saw bunch of cleaners going around ensuring the terminal is as clean as it has to be. Hopefully they can keep the standard through out the terminal operation, not only on the 1st day of opening due to government's officials were there for inspection/opening ceremony.