Review of Citilink Indonesia flight Sukarata(Solo)-Java Island → Jakarta in Economy

Hello friends! Welcome to my report.

Firstly, as usual, please apologize for my bad English, and also bad photo quality as I took all shots by my cellphone.

This is a report of a short flight from Solo or Surakarta (spelled wrongly on this site as "Sukarata") to Jakarta. Some months ago, I've written a flight report from Solo with Sriwijaya Air (click here). This time, the flight would arrive not in Soekarno-Hatta Airport, but the smaller Halim Perdanakusuma Airport located in the eastern side of Jakarta. Previously I've also written my experience arriving in this airport from Batam with Batik Air (click here).

About a week before this trip, I had bought a ticket for Citilink flight. The ticket costed IDR 400,000 (around USD 30.00). Actually, Sriwijaya Air offered quite cheaper price for IDR 340,000 (USD 25.00) but it arrived in Soekarno-Hatta Airport and there would be a long journey from the airport to my house, while Halim Airport was closer.

August 26th, 2017. After a community gathering in this city, I had to return to my hometown in the southeastern side of Jakarta. From the city center of Solo, I ordered a motorcycle taxi through "Go-Jek" apps, as I had waited for the bus to the airport but it did not come, and I was also in rush (it was 1.5 hours before boarding time).


Before reaching the airport terminal, we passed the west side of the runway. A plane of Lion Air was on its way to take-off.


The Adisoemarmo Airport terminal building with traditional Javanese architecture.


Garuda's check-in counter. As usual, they were very proud as a member of Skyteam.


Citilink (Garuda's subsidiary)'s counter at its right side. I had done the online check-in previously, so I just needed to print the boarding pass here.


From the check-in counter, I walked to the departure area and had a security check.

The waiting room.


Power plugs were available if you need to recharge your gadgets.


Playground for kids.


Sights outside the window are more interesting. An A320 of Batik Air pushed back before flying to Halim.


Lion Air 737-900ER.


Then an announcement informed us that the Citilink flight was delayed and estimated to depart at 6.30 p.m. Huffff, we had to wait an hour longer.


I checked the position of our plane through flightradar24.com. Then I knew that the flight was delayed due to congested air traffic in Halim Airport.


While waiting for boarding, I continued recharging my cellphone and power bank and surfing the internet through my notebook.

At 6.40 p.m. we were called for boarding.


Passengers sitting on row 1 to 15 boarded the plane through aerobridge. The rest, including me, entered the plane through stairs on the rear door.


Beautiful green livery.


Final shot of Lion 737-900ER before entering the plane.


I proceed straightly to my seat. I did not know the exact number of passengers joining the flight, but about 90-95% of the seats were occupied.

Boarding process completed. Cabin crews started the safety instructions. Then the cabin lamps were dimmed.

The plane left the airport and flew to the sky at 7.10 p.m.


Seat belt sign was turned off. I took some shots of the cabin.


As usual, I checked all stuffs inside the seat pocket.


As the plane did not provide IFEs, I chose to listen musics and watching videos from my cellphone.

Less than an hour after take-off, the arrival announcement was made. Unfortunately, due to congested air traffic at Halim Airport, we had to wait for about 20 minutes to touch down. The plane had to fly around the Bekasi area, eastern side of Jakarta. It was same experience with my previous report from Batam to Halim Airport (click here).



Finally the plane was allowed to land, and the plane landed safely at 8.25 p.m.


The plane parked beside an A320 of Batik Air.


Final shots before leaving the plane.


Entering the airport terminal. You can see a photo of the late Vice-Marshal Halim Perdanakusuma and some photos of air force battle from 1945 until 1965, especially during "Konfrontasi" (Indonesia-Malaysia conflict) period.


Baggage claim area.


Outside the main terminal area.


Then I left the airport, once again, by Go-Jek motorcycle taxi, but as it was forbidden for them to take passengers inside the airport area, I had to walk to a Protestant church close to the airport, and the taxi had waited for me there.