ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 8253 times:
Reason For Trip:
After the nice time I had from my business cum holiday trip to Japan, its back to work and reality. Now its time for me to make a quick 24 hour trip to Surabaya to check out on our East Java office and also to attend a wedding of a business relation.
3 December 2007
Jakarta (CGK) – Surabaya (SUB)
Since some months ago, I realized that there was no point to arrive too early at the airport for domestic flights as there isn’t anything much to do anyway. So this time round, I arrived just around 45 minutes before departure. Check in was quick as I could use the business class check in as I am a Garuda Gold Frequent Flyer. After checking in, just managed a quick browse and then went over to the common use lounge to kill time.
Common Use Lounge
Went to the gate just as boarding was about to begin.
Enjoying a short morning stroll to the gate
Another rarely seen Indonesian bird
Our aircraft today was PK-GZL, probably my 2nd time on this machine. This aircraft was ex-Aeroflot and it is a late model B734 to come off the production line back in 1998, if I am not wrong, assembly of the NG was just some time after this.
In Flight
Nothing particular regarding the inflight service or the flight itself. As usual Garuda served their tacky snack box but at least they are always generous with their drinks. This is just one out of 16 daily flights which Garuda operates to Surabaya.
On Board GWQ, managed to catch a glimpse of an Orient Thai B743 being chartered for the Hajj.
My trustworthy MH and its B734 at SUB
Hotel Stay
Sheraton Hotel & Towers Surabaya
My favorite hotel program
The Sheraton hotel in Surabaya is your typical business hotel with great location and good service. Rooms were a little worn down, but all will be fine once the renovation is completed by the end of January.
Room: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Location: 10/10
4 December 2007
Surabaya (SUB) – Jakarta (CGK)
Another quick 1 night stay in Surabaya and now its time for me to head back home to Jakarta. It was another night in the Sheraton Hotel, its starting to look pretty old, but they will finish renovating their deluxe rooms by end of January, so I can’t wait! Due to the heavy thunderstorm and slight flooding the evening before, the roads were still pretty wet when we left for the airport. He car couldn’t go too fast due to standing water all over the place, but still managed to arrive at the airport with 35 minutes before our ETD. Again a quick check in and off to the Garuda lounge for me.
The gate was directly next to the lounge so we only left for the gate when people stared to board the aircraft.
In Flight
Again nothing much to mention here but this flight is 100% full in both J and Y. I guess the Jakarta to Surabaya runs and vice versa is one that really makes money for Garuda. Flight itself was uneventful and this as my first time on GWQ.
Thanks for reading this short report. I will be making another quick trip to Semarang on 10th December for a day before my holidays start on the 21st to the USA. So stay tuned. Thanks again for reading guys!
JetSetter629 From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 410 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 8227 times:
I that guy in Surabaya airport wearing a burger costumes??? Haha
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 8066 times:
Nice report, good pics.
Especially the HS-UTL B747-300 in the GA livery and used for Hadj-season is interesting!
btw, it's time to replace the B734 with GA... they're getting shabby now.
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 7634 times:
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 4): btw, it's time to replace the B734 with GA... they're getting shabby now.
Yeah they certainly are, but then again its GA we are talking about and they have really bad problems with cash flow, as for their B734, some are early 90's some are late 90's so quite a spread there. BUt rumours have it they are going to lease several B738 again. As for their B787 order, i think we can kiss them goodbye!
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 7080 times:
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Reply 7): Ah, a Surabaya trip report while I'm suffering Finland..
Hi Lari ! Ahhh so you finally back in good old FInland? Hows the weather there? Actually yesterday I just got back from SRG in GA in J. My 1700 flight from SRG was delayed till 1930 hours! I really hate PK-GZI which is an ex Aeroflot a/c, my 3rd time on it and also 3rd time I was delayed, but then again the delay at SRG was mainly due to bad weather! ....Maybe its better to be in Finland now...the rain is just starting to pour down day after day now !!
Ronerone From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, RR: 54 Reply 9, posted (5 years 5 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 6995 times:
Hi ThaiA345,
Nice mini TR.
From the pictures you posted, CGK seems to have quite a nice terminal. And the check-in area at SUB looks almost identical to AUH's terminal 2 (the ceiling design is the only difference it seems).
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 10, posted (5 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 6861 times:
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 9): Thanks a lot for sharing! Keep them coming
Hi Roni! Thanks again for reading as usual Actually a few days ago I just made another short mini TR to Semarang, a small town near Jakarta, with GA in J this time and with very bad weather too eheheheh anyway will post it soon. WHen will you be going to Bangkok?
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (5 years 5 months 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6734 times:
Nice TR.
The pics are really great.
Quoting ThaiA345 (Thread starter): I guess the Jakarta to Surabaya runs and vice versa is one that really makes money for Garuda
Seems like you are right. If not they wouldnt have 16flight a day.
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 12, posted (5 years 5 months 1 week 4 days ago) and read 6589 times:
Quoting B747forever (Reply 11): Seems like you are right. If not they wouldnt have 16flight a day.
Yup, most of their domestic flight are doing well, but as usual, this being Indonesia and all with corruptions and others, somehow the airline is still cash strapped! ehehehheh
Sponsor Message: 
From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 410 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, 
From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6937 posts, 
From Philippines, joined May 1999, 3174 posts, 
From Jordan, joined Aug 2004, 1541 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
