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In my quest to earn one million EuroBonus Points with SAS and SkyTeam, I flew from Bangkok (BKK) to Jakarta (CGK) on Garuda Indonesia’s Boeing 737-800, taking advantage of a last-minute Business Class upgrade for around $90 USD. It was worth every cent. Garuda Indonesia delivered an impressive experience, living up to their reputation for world-class hospitality.
| Route | BKK-CGK |
| Flight | GA867 |
| Cabin | Business Class |
| Equipment | Boeing 737-800 |
| Aircraft | PK-GNH |
| Flight Time | Approx. 3h 10m |
How I Booked This Flight
While arranging my EuroBonus Millionaire trip, I needed to fly Garuda Indonesia as one of the 15 SkyTeam airlines. Using AwardFares, I found availability in Economy Class using EuroBonus points for 15k points + ~65 USD in taxes. A few days before the flight I got an email with an option to bid for an upgrade. I tried bidding the lowest amount (1,464,000 IDR ~ roughly $90), which got accepted!
Check-In
I arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport with time to spare, so I got the chance to take some pictures to the stunning terminal. The check-in had already started, and I could use the dedicated SkyPriority/Business Class lane so there was zero queue. It took under 2 minutes to get my boarding pass along a lounge invitation. One glad surprise was a note stating that, as a Garuda Indonesia Business Class passenger, I could use the fast-track counter at immigration on arrival. Kudos for Garuda’s team.
Air France Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
After security and immigration (which was a breeze), I headed to the lounge. The designated lounge for Garuda Indonesia Business Class passengers is the Air France Lounge, although there is also a China Airlines lounge you can also use. While it wasn’t the most lavish lounge experience, it offered a quiet space to relax, enjoy some snacks, and get ready for the flight. It was surprisingly quiet with only a handful of other guests. It was far from the gate, about 15 minutes walking.
Boarding & First Impressions
Boarding was delayed by about 10 minutes, but was efficient, with Business Class passengers called first. As I stepped onto the plane, I was warmly greeted by the Garuda crew, who immediately made me feel welcome. Garuda has been awarded Skytrax’s World’s Best Crew for SIX consecutive years, and from my experience, it’s easy to see why.
Cabin & Seat
The Business Class cabin featured a 2-2 layout with wide seats. Even though the cabin design is old, the seat remains comfortable, with ample legroom, ideal for a short regional flight like this.
The seat also had an adjustable recline, footrest, and power outlets for charging devices. Although not a lie-flat seat, it was more than sufficient for this route. It felt really spacious and cozy.
As we boarded, we were offered a welcome drink, which could be a traditional Indonesian juice, water, or orange juice.
At the seat, there were different amenities such as a pillow and blanket, and noise-cancelling headphones. The seat in front was quite distant, so legroom was great. Plus, there was significant storage space under the front seat.
Taxi & Takeoff
After a smooth boarding process, we taxied out of Bangkok. Takeoff was on time and offered some stunning views of the cityscape below as we climbed towards our cruising altitude.
IFE
The IFE system was in the central armrest, and it was the same that Copa Airlines uses on longer routes. Definitely not the most modern system: low-resolution, slow and unresponsive, but it does have enough content to keep you entertained.
Lavatory
The service in Business Class was excellent. The crew regularly checked in on passengers, ensuring everyone was comfortable. Shortly after takeoff, I explored the lavatory, which was spotless and stocked with basic amenities.
Meal
Lunch service began with a starter which was a fruit plate and a glass of champagne. For the hot meal, I opted for the grilled chicken with black pepper sauce and rice, which was flavorful and well-prepared. The meal came with a side salad, warm bread, and dessert.
Garuda’s catering impressed me, especially for such a short flight. The plating looked sophisticated and stylish, among the best I’ve seen on a flight.
Approach & Landing
As we began our descent into Jakarta, the crew prepared the cabin for landing. The approach provided some scenic views of the Indonesian coastline and the city. We touched down smoothly at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and arrived at the gate ahead of schedule. After a long walk inside the terminal (20 minutes), I was able to use the fast track at immigration which was a pretty sweet perk.
Video Review
Summary
Overall, Garuda Indonesia exceeded my expectations. For a $90 USD upgrade, I experienced:
- Friendly and attentive service.
- A comfortable seat with built-in IFE.
- Delicious in-flight catering.
Garuda’s reputation for hospitality is well-deserved, and this flight reaffirmed why they are a SkyTeam member worth flying. While the seat and IFE may not match the latest products, the crew’s service and meal made this short-haul flight truly memorable. If you’re ever flying within Southeast Asia, I highly recommend bidding for a Business Class upgrade on Garuda, especially if you value world-class service.