INTRODUCTION
After experiencing flights with Citilink and Sriwijaya Air within Indonesia, it was time to step aboard Garuda Indonesia for a longer haul.
My economy class flight from Jakarta to Melbourne was scheduled for approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes, with a challenging departure time of 2 am.
This journey offered a closer look at what Garuda offers on overnight flights and the passenger comfort experience.
INFLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Before departure, the crew handed out bottles of water and refresher towels. A few minutes later, an amenity kit arrived.
Due to the early departure, the first service was a snack which I received about 25 minutes after takeoff.
It took the four crew members working in economy class about 15 minutes to serve everyone in the cabin.
The snack was a lukewarm bread roll with a meat filling and it was adequate considering the time of departure. Forty-five minutes after takeoff, the service was complete and the cabin lights were turned off.
The second service started two hours before landing, beginning with the crew handing out orange juice from trays by hand.
I received my meal 10 minutes later, with a choice between a breakfast omelet or an Indonesian option, and I opted for the Indonesian option.
The fish with rice and steamed bok choy was served hot. The fish was delicious, and I appreciated the large tray of food offered. Bonus points to Garuda for providing real cutlery in economy class.
Not long after I finished the meal, the crew came through the cabin to collect the meal trays by hand. The second service from start to finish took the crew 45 minutes to complete.
It was a pleasant experience with Garuda; this overnight flight provided amenity kits, welcome drinks, refresher towels, two meal services, a wake-up juice service, and friendly service.
What more could you ask for in economy class?
Interestingly, I chatted with the crew to learn how long they would stay in Melbourne. They advised that they operate this flight as a return sector. That’s about 6 hours of flying each way, plus a few hours on the ground in Melbourne (for refueling and cleaning the aircraft). It’s a long duty, especially when flying through the night.
CONCLUSION
My experience with Garuda Indonesia was commendable. Despite the challenging departure time, the airline provided attentive service and thoughtful amenities.
The overnight flight was made comfortable with the provision of amenity kits, timely meal services, and a friendly crew. The airline demonstrated a strong commitment to passenger comfort and service quality, making the journey from Jakarta to Melbourne a pleasant one.