ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 14090 times:
Reason For Trip
Its been quite a number of months since I last went to visit one of my company’s divisions in Surabaya, so as it was also a slow going week, I decided to make a quick one night stay in Surabaya. I also told my secretary to book me on the B738 flights both ways, hoping that I could maybe have some luck and get onboard GA’s brand new factory fresh B738, PK-GMA.
30 July 2009
Jakarta (CGK) – Surabaya (SUB)
Flight: Garuda Indonesia GA314
Aircraft: B737-800
Registration: PK-GEQ
1st Flight: 2nd May 2005
ETD: 1200
ETA: 1320
ATD: 1220
ATA: 1310
Seat: 1F (Executive / Business Class)
Pre Flight
Got to the airport 40mins before ETD, so I just lazed around at the very packed lounge and waited for the valet service to come and bring me my boarding pass. Saw on the screens that GEQ (ex Ryanair bird) is operating this flight today, so I guess no luck this time round, but at least its another rego for me to put on my list!
About 15mins before scheduled take off, I walked to the gate and I had a nice surprise as next to our gate was PK-GPH, GA’s first new A332, they have 3 on the ground as of today (9 August 2009). I noticed that they were changing a flat tire on our bird, so I guess there will be a slight delay. Another nice surprise was a TG B744 landing in place of the daily B773 flight from BKK. I guess the equipment change is due to maintenance reasons to the B773.
Inflight
Settling in
Nothing much to report about on this 1 hour hop to SUB. The only notable things were really bad turbulence just after take off and a pretty heavy crosswind upon landing. For the rest of it, I will just let the pictures do the talking for me.
Obligatory visit to the lavatory
PK-GPH next to us
TG B744
Inflight view
Greasy but yet strangely comforting inflight meal
Service: 8/10
Food: 5/10
Aircraft: 8/10
31 July 2009
Surabaya (SUB) – Jakarta (CGK)
Flight: Garuda Indonesia GA317
Aircraft: B737-800
Registration: PK-GEM
1st Flight: 13 December 2000
ETD: 1300
ETA: 1420
ATD: 1315
ATA: 1405
Seat: 3F (Executive / Business Class)
Pre Flight
Had to get up pretty early as I wanted to spend a little more time at my office before leaving for the airport. I was cutting it a little close this time as by the time I arrived at the airport it was already 20mins before ETD. No line at the J check in, so in a matter for 1 min I got my boarding pass and paid a quick visit to the lounge to have one last cigarette before I boarded the flight.
PK-GEM as seen from the lounge
In Flight
Another new rego for me and this bird is also an ex Ryanair bird.
Slightly different interior on this bird
A very common sight all over S.E. Asia now, Air Asia’s A320
Push back and we are off!
I guess on this trip I did not get the luck to fly on board PK-GMA. I was pretty tired when I got on board this aircraft and I also opted out of the meal as I just wanted to rest and get back home.
A few more cabin shorts before descend
Service: 8/10
Food: NA
Aircraft: 8/10
By the way, the headline saying “New” basically does not mean new build but new addition to the GA B738 fleet!
Hope you guys enjoyed this unsual but short TR from me. Stay tuned for my next trip which will be this Thursday on KLM’s new B773ER to KUL and MH B772ER to PER.
Taichen From Spain, joined Jul 2001, 209 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 13877 times:
About PK-GPH, is that Garuda's new livery? It looks nice and fresh. I do like the Garuda bird, but the current livery starts to look a bit outdated now...
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11996 posts, RR: 36 Reply 2, posted (3 years 10 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 13101 times:
Quoting ThaiA345 (Thread starter): By the way, the headline saying “New” basically does not mean new build but new addition to the GA B738 fleet!
And a lot more comfort than we in Ireland ever got on those aircraft! Can't help but wonder what Mr. O'Leary would think if he saw such comfortable seats on one of his old aircraft!
AlexEU From Serbia, joined Oct 2007, 1792 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 12794 times:
Hi, nice trip report!
How much would it take by car to drive from Jakarta to Surabaya? Seems that there is a quite large airline demand between 2 cities.
Do you have any pics of Jakarta´s domestic terminal?
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 4, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 12206 times:
Quoting Taichen (Reply 1): About PK-GPH, is that Garuda's new livery?
Yes it is, its already on all of GA's brand new A332 and B738, and some of their older fleet aircraft are being repainted as they go in for C checks.
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 2): Can't help but wonder what Mr. O'Leary would think if he saw such comfortable seats on one of his old aircraft!
Actually most of these seats were just reupholstered seats from the old A300B4 / DC-10 which GA had. But still beats any airlines B738 in J on space and comfort.
Quoting AlexEU (Reply 3): How much would it take by car to drive from Jakarta to Surabaya?
No one really does it except for logistical companies as the road network ere in Indonesia is really bad. But you can reach Surabaya by driving 24hrs nonstop.
Quoting AlexEU (Reply 3): Do you have any pics of Jakarta´s domestic terminal?
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 6211 posts, RR: 79 Reply 5, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 11711 times:
Very interesting review, always nice to see reports about Indonesian carriers.
Quoting ThaiA345 (Thread starter): Saw on the screens that GEQ (ex Ryanair bird) is operating this flight today, so I guess no luck this time round, but at least its another rego for me to put on my list!
ThaiA345 From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (3 years 10 months 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 10886 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 7): I prefer the old Garuda livery though.
I think the new livery is a nice refrshing change, but I guess one area where its not as nice is the "Garuda Indonesia" titles on the fuselage, I guess they could have improved the design for that.
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From Indonesia, joined Oct 2006, 814 posts, 
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