Garuda Indonesia Airlines Review: Easy for Travelers [2024]
Garuda Indonesia Airlines is one of the top airlines in Southeast Asia flying to destinations all over the world. As the national airline of Indonesia, it connects the country to other countries. This Garuda Indonesia Airlines review will give you useful information about the airline’s services and how it performs.
The review covers all aspects of flying with Garuda Indonesia, from booking and preparing for your flight to what you get on the plane and after you land. It looks at what the airline offers in different classes, Economy and First Class, and if it’s worth the money. By looking at flights between big airports like Ngurah Rai International Airport and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, this guide will help you decide if you want to fly with Garuda Indonesia.
Booking and Pre-flight Experience
Garuda Indonesia’s booking and pre-flight experience is a mixed bag. The airline has ways to make it smoother but flyers have noted some issues.
Website and mobile app functionality
Garuda Indonesia has a website and mobile app for booking and reservation management. You can use the FlyGaruda App to choose seats and check in for your flights [1]. But some have encountered problems with the online booking system. Users have reported errors during booking which resulted to mistakes and double charges [2]. Some have also encountered issues with flight confirmations and e-ticket delivery causing inconvenience and delay in travel plans.
To address booking concerns, Garuda Indonesia Airlines review, now has a feature to allow passengers to change their flight details on the website. This is available for domestic flights and tickets booked through the official website or mobile app [3]. For international flights or tickets booked through other channels, you can make schedule changes by calling the 24-hour contact center or visit a sales office.
Fare types and flexibility
Garuda Indonesia has different fare options to suit your travel needs. These are Economy Special Promotion, Economy Promotion, Economy Affordable, Economy Flexible, Business Promotion and Business Flexible [4]. Each fare type has its own rules for changes, cancellations and refunds.
For domestic flights, the airline allows changes for a fee with most fare types. But Economy Special Promotion and Economy Promotion fares cannot be cancelled. Economy Affordable and Economy Flexible fares give you more options to cancel with different refund percentages [4].
International flights follow the same pattern, Economy Promotion tickets have the most restrictions and Business Flexible tickets have the most freedom. Check the fare rules before you book to make sure it matches your travel plans and any changes you might need to make.
Check-in options and seat selection
Garuda Indonesia has several check-in options to suit your needs. You can check in online, through your mobile device or at the airport [5]. Online and mobile check-in is available for both domestic and international flights. For domestic flights, check-in opens 48 hours before departure. Same 48 hours for international flights [5].
Garuda Indonesia allows seat selection but there are rules based on ticket type and loyalty status. Some booking classes can choose seats for free when booking [1]. All booking classes can choose seats for free 48 hours before the flight [1]. If you want more options, you can pay to choose your seat for any booking class at any time [1].
Note: Some passengers may not be able to use certain check-in methods and may need to use airport check-in. This includes passengers who need assistance or travelling with infant [5].
In-flight Services and Amenities
Garuda Indonesia wants to give its passengers the best experience on board. The airline provides many services and amenities to make the journey better for you.
Cabin crew performance and hospitality
Garuda Indonesia has been praised for its excellent cabin crew service. The airline has won the World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew award several times and in 2023 ranked 3rd in this category [6]. The cabin staff lives by the philosophy “Because You Matter” which puts Indonesian hospitality first. This has helped Garuda Indonesia maintain its good name for great service even during the industry challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic [7].
The assessment of Garuda Indonesia cabin crew looks at how they do their job, how professional they are, how enthusiastic they are and how friendly to passengers. The airline takes these into account and that’s why it’s been recognized many times [7].
Meal service and quality
Garuda Indonesia provides free snacks on all its flights but the service varies depending on the length of the flight and the destination. If you’re flying within Indonesia you’ll get a free drink and a small sandwich. If you’re flying longer to Japan, Australia, Middle East or Europe you’ll get two hot meals [8].
The airline offers a wide range of special meal options to cater to different diet needs and taste. These options include baby food bland food, kids meal diabetic food, fruit plate food for those who can’t eat gluten Hindu food Kosher food low calorie food low fat food low salt food Muslim food dairy free food seafood food and several vegetarian options [9].
Garuda Indonesia has improved its in-flight meals. The airline’s VP of inflight services said they want to keep food and service at 5 star level. To achieve this they have taken steps such as training flight attendants to serve like in restaurants. This includes how to plate food and suggest wine [10].
Entertainment options and connectivity
Garuda Indonesia has partnered with OnAir to offer Wi-Fi on its A330 aircraft. You can use the Wi-Fi with your laptop, smartphone and tablet [11]. Note that internet is available on Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330-900 aircraft [8].
Garuda Indonesia has different Wi-Fi plans depending on how much data you use. You can get free Text Chat plan (up to 20 MB) or choose from paid plans from 50 MB to 250 MB. Paid plans start from $11.95 [8].
If you want to watch movies or shows, Garuda Indonesia has an in-seat entertainment system for you. Found on their Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. And the best part? It’s free! You can watch a lot of things during your flight [8].
Post-flight and Ground Services
Garuda Indonesia Airlines review wants to provide productive post-flight and ground services to enhance the overall travel experience. This section looks at how they handle baggage and lost luggage and make customer support easy to reach.
Baggage claim productivity
Garuda Indonesia has made the baggage claim process more efficient. They put a tag on each bag with the destination airport name and a unique serial number. They also print this matching tag on the passenger’s ticket so when people arrive they can easily identify their luggage [12]. This will reduce mix up and speed up the baggage claim process for passengers.
Lost luggage handling
When luggage is missing Garuda Indonesia has a process to help passengers find and retrieve their belongings . If someone can’t find their bags they need to report to Baggage Service Office at the airport immediately [12]. The airline’s team will guide passengers to fill out the necessary forms and give them a reference number to track their claim [13].
To start looking for missing bags passengers need to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This form should have the following information: what the bag looks like, how big it is, what color it is and any special marks [13]. Providing correct information will help Garuda Indonesia to find the luggage .
Garuda Indonesia gives passengers 14 days to track down missing luggage. The airline will deliver found luggage to the passenger’s address within this period. After 14 days the airline will consider the luggage as lost. Passengers can then claim [12]. Remember passengers have 2 years from PIR date to file a claim [12].
Customer support Garuda Indonesia Airlines Review
Garuda Indonesia provides customers with many ways to get help for baggage issues. Passengers can contact the airline’s Baggage Services team which is available 24/7 to assist with lost baggage, provide updates on the search, and guide them on how to make a claim [13].
To get help immediately you can call Garuda Indonesia’s hotline. The number is 1-800-125-555 (within Indonesia) or +62 21 2351 9999 (from outside Indonesia) [13]. Also the airline has WhatsApp service at +628112807807 to make it easier to talk [14].
If you prefer to write, Garuda Indonesia has an email option. You can send detailed information about your lost baggage to lostfound@garuda-indonesia.com [13]. Include your reference number and how to contact you. For other baggage related questions you can email baggage@garuda-indonesia.com [14].
Garuda Indonesia has an online Lost and Found form on their website. This allows passengers to report missing bags and track their claim [13]. For techy passengers who want to self serve.
Value for Money and Competitiveness
Garuda Indonesia wants to be competitive in the Indonesian market. Garuda Indonesia Airlines review looks at their pricing, services and overall value.
Pricing and fare comparison
Garuda Indonesia Airlines review’s pricing strategy is of a full-service airline. They offer different ticket options to cater to different kinds of travelers. These are Economy Special Promotion, Economy Promotion, Economy Affordable, Economy Flexible, Business Promotion and Business Flexible [4]. Each ticket type has its own rules on changes, cancelations, and refunds. So passengers can choose the one that suits their travel plan.
When you compare Garuda Indonesia’s price with budget airline, you need to think what’s included. Budget airline might have cheaper starting price but Garuda Indonesia often include meals, baggage and entertainment on the plane [8]. This all in one deal can give you more value for money if you’re flying far or if you add up all the extra cost on budget airline.
What’s included vs. what costs extra
Garuda Indonesia’s full service includes several extras in the ticket price. Passengers get free refreshments on all flights, the type of service changes based on the length of the flight and destination [8]. On longer flights to Japan, Australia, Middle East and Europe, Garuda Indonesia serves 2 hot meals. Garuda Indonesia also has special meal options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences [9].
Unlike budget airlines that charge you for extras, Garuda Indonesia lets you check in 20kg of baggage for free if you’re flying economy [12]. You can also watch movies and shows on personal screens on Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 without paying more [8].
Garuda Indonesia gives passengers who need more space to buy extra baggage in advance. This way travelers can get more baggage at a cheaper price than at the airport [15]. The airline has 8 prepaid baggage options. From 5kg to 40kg, so passengers can choose what fits their travel plan [15].
Net value proposition
Garuda Indonesia Airlines review’s main selling point is to offer a full travel experience that combines Indonesian warmth with modern features. The airline has won several awards for its top-notch cabin crew in the World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew [6]. This focus on service adds to the overall value when you fly with Garuda Indonesia.
When considering value for money, you need to think about the services included, the flexibility of the fare and the flight experience. Garuda Indonesia’s basic fare might be more expensive than budget airlines but what they offer can give you better overall value. This is true for longer flights or when you add up the cost of extras with low cost carriers [8].
In the end, it’s up to each traveler to decide between Garuda Indonesia and other airlines based on what they want to spend and what routes they need. If you want full service with Indonesian hospitality, Garuda Indonesia is good value in the competitive airline market.
Conclusion
Garuda Indonesia is a big player in Southeast Asia’s aviation world. By highlighting Indonesian hospitality and including many services in the ticket price, it beats low cost airlines. The company’s commitment to service from booking to after flight help affects how much you enjoy the journey.
In short, Garuda Indonesia Airlines review, gives you the full package. Not always the cheapest but has value on what you get. You get extra great service from award winning staff and flexible ticket options. So it’s good for those who want the full experience when they fly. As with any airline, think what’s important to you and how much you can spend. Then you can decide if Garuda Indonesia fits your trip needs.
FAQs
- How is Garuda Indonesia rated? Garuda Indonesia has 5 stars from Skytrax Audit. This audit checks everything from start to finish. From before, during and after the flight. Airport service, lounge comfort, cabin condition and more.
- Is Garuda Indonesia a safe airline to fly with? Yes, people consider Garuda Indonesia as a very safe airline. They meet IATA Safety Audit (IOSA) rules. They also win many awards for flying with them. That shows they care about being safe and doing a good job.
- Does Garuda Indonesia serve alcoholic beverages on their flights? Yes, Garuda Indonesia serves alcohol on all international flights. You can choose from Bintang and Heineken beers, red and white wine and different spirits.
- Which airline is the most popular in Indonesia? Garuda Indonesia is number one as Indonesia’s favorite airline with a customer satisfaction score of 22.6%
References
[1] – https://www.facebook.com/GarudaIndonesiaAus/posts/-travel-tips-hassle-free-seat-selection-options-%EF%B8%8F-enjoy-free-seat-selection-when/791181036379035/[2] – https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k4249649-o80-GarudaIndonesiaDontbookonlinewiththem-AirTravel.html
[3] – https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/static/en/garuda-indonesia-experience/on-ground/automatic-ticket-changer/index.html
[4] – https://flygarudaindonesia.com/Fare-Types
[5] – https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/static/en/garuda-indonesia-experience/on-ground/check-in/index.html
[6] – https://www.worldairlineawards.com/worlds-best-airline-cabin-crew-2024/
[7] – https://en.tempo.co/read/1739643/garuda-indonesia-gains-skytraxs-worlds-best-airline-cabin-crew-2023
[8] – https://www.cestee.com/airline/garuda-indonesia/services
[9] – https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/static/en/garuda-indonesia-experience/in-flight/special-meal/index.html?loc=sg&lang=en
[10] – https://www.ttgasia.com/2016/09/15/tried-tested-garuda-indonesia-inflight-cuisine/
[11] – https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2014/02/garuda-indonesia-adds-flight-wi-fi-a330s/
[12] – http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2018/06/13/lost-your-luggage-while-flying-heres-what-to-do.html
[13] – https://www.askhandle.com/blog/garuda-indonesia-lost-baggage-policy-and-assistance
[14] – https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/oc/en/contact
[15] – https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/static/en/special-offers/sales-promotion/prepaid-baggage.html
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