Hello all! My name is Kevin from Indonesia, and this time I want to share my flight experience on Garuda Indonesia domestic flight from Surabaya to Denpasar-Bali.
Background
This year is my last year in high school, and I decided to go somewhere after I finished all exams. Garuda Indonesia had a travel fair in certain cities in Indonesia around March, and I wanted to go to Denpasar (Bali), as it has many places to see and foods to try. It is a perfect place to relax after exams. I got return ticket for only IDR 700.000 (about USD 50), cheapest than another carriers with normal prices. I chose late morning for my departure to Bali, and night flight with Bombardier CRJ1000 when I fly back to Surabaya.
Let's start the journey!
Flight
That morning, I went to Juanda International AIrport (SUB/WARR) which located 22 km away from my home with Grab Car, and it took about 45 minutes to reach airport. When I arrived, I approached the check in desk directly, and I asked the staff whether they could move my seat (I have done the check in on previous day), but sadly they said no empty seat left on this flight. So, I just stick with my first choice on aisle seat, 42H. I proceed to waiting room, and an hour later, boarding started.
Here is our aircraft for 35 minutes hop to Bali Island, Boieing 737-800 registered PK-GMV
The aircraft equipped with Boeing Sky Interior onboard.
There were newspapers near the door, but I didn't pick one. A man, who is inflight manager, and a girl greet passengers on the door, and check if we board the correct flight. I walked to the aft, and greeted by two other crews onboard. Settled on my seat, I took the window view picture
Boarding still in progress, and turns out it was a 100% full flight. At first, I thought the ground crew was too lazy to check our seat map of the day, and just said if it was a full flight to me. Seat 42 J and K was occupied by two Balinese men who went back after business trip, I suspect (from their conversation topics).
The IFE Screen before safety video played. I tried to explore the content, and it was good for this short flight. The screenw as quite sensitive if I compare with older 738s (earlier PK-GFx and PK-GMx series)
Not long after, the inflight manager told us if we are ready to depart, and toor will be closed in few minutes. Safety video played, and the plane started to taxi to runway 10. There was only one queue in front of our plane, which was Lion Air Boeing 737-900ER. My plane took off smoothly and the seat belt sign turned off.
Here is the content of my seat pocket. It consists of an Inlight magazine named Colours, an inflight entertainment guide named Stars, a headset, and a safety card
I decided to watch The Greatest Showman while I was waiting for the snack service. Few minutes later, the crews started the snack service from row 21. There was only 3 crews on Economy Class (There were 4 crews before), so they used only one trolley to do snack run, and we must wait patiently.
Because this month is Ramadan month when Moslem people do fasting, Garuda printed special snack box with Ramadan theme too.
Let's see inside the box. It's a common snack for short hop on Garuda Indonesia, which consists of a cheese bread, mixed nuts, sweets/candies, and a bottle of water
I only ate the cheese bread, as haven't had meal on the morning. It has decent taste.
After the crews finished the snack run, I went to the aft galley to chat with them. We talk about few topics related to aviation and their jobs, but sadly couldn't talk too long, as our plane started to descend and they must clear the cabin. Here is the cabin condition during inflight, notice the Sky Interior was turned on
The plane landed safely at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS/WADD), and parked at domestic terminal.
Look at this Garuda Indonesia A330-300, push back for her 1.5 hr hop to Jakarta as GA409
There was another Garuda Indonesia AIrbus A330-200, preparing for flight to Jakarta too, I think
I asked the inflight manager to call his friends, because I wanted to take photos with them. I said that I will wait until all passengers disembarked. When I was waiting, the captain called me, and offered me to visit his cockpit
Look at these Business Class seats. Do you think it's comfortable? I tried to seat there when I was waiting the crews, and it was very good :)
Recently, Garuda Indonesia refurbished the seat configuration on their Boeing 737-800, with removing one row of Business Class and add more Economy seats
The crews finished their job, and we took pictures together and talk a bit about my hobby as an AvGeek. They were so kind and nice with me! I disembarked with all good feelings after this flight.
Time to say goodbye to PK-GMV! I hope to see you again!
Thank you very much for reading my story. Comments are very appreciated below
Kevin (ig: @kevin_jo00)
