psidarta

All GA A332s have 222 seats, and are offering full-flat bed (180') with 74" seat pitch (2 latest deliveries with B/E Aerospace seats like on its A333 but full-flat version) Been on them and was very comfortable. They regionally serve ICN, NRT, HKG, PEK and SYD, apart from long hauls to DXB and AMS. A333s have all been refurbished, capacity reduced from 295 to 257, and are offering lie-flat seats by B/E Aerospace (170') also with 74" seat pitch, and are serving PVG, KIX, NGO and MEL. IFEs are now gradually being improved, it started with 25 blockbusters only but now it's 52 blockbusters updated monthly.

I don't know if I'm putting it on the right thread or not, but here's an interesting trip report from a European traveller I read earlier in airliners.net http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/trip_reports/read.main/191563/ I find it interesting and relevant to the thread because we can see a direct comparison of three airlines competing in the same region, with images of their service offerings etc. Surely this TR is not a good marketing tool for MAS. More of those reports and I think we can start to see people thinking differently about the airline. Moreover, if you all notice, we knew from many TRs featuring MAS lately that MAS was indeed chosen because of its super online-fare deals, not because of anything to-die-for nor for any standard of service offering. This is not to say MAS is that poor, but other airlines are fast catching up and we're not even talking about SQ or CX here! ( since everybody here always uses SQ or CX as the 'on-par' comparison to MH ). I think the management has to always remember that today's travelers are getting more demanding than ever before choosing an airline, especially top airline claiming the 'best this and that' label. Boasting former glories don't really work that well anymore. A top airline is not all about the questionable star-rating, And definitely not so much about becoming a member of an alliance. Just my 2 cents.

big, big miss by MH... they have that rare chance to impress with this very late addition for a 'new' A333, and yet the products are nothing like the boasts. the C class is one of the most unattractive airlines' new products i've seen for quite a long time, it's dull, narrow and very much uninviting. certainly not 5-stars, so sorry. i really don't understand how this airline can manage to hold-on their 5 star status now. i guess downgrading the star-ranking could only be good for MH, something like that slap on the face that maybe, just maybe, spur them on. EY is better, but ambience still too cold for me. GA EY seat colour scheme is to the same tone with SQ's and it's a lot warmer than the star-trek colours on 9M-MTA. and by the way, all of GA's A333 have been retrofited to 257 seats only.

Whew... If you do like airport-hopping, it should be fun, but with family, I don't think it's advisable. With the lousy airport tax-system here, you'll then have to pay the airport tax twice, in CGK and in DPS, before you get to SYD. Do remember that, in Indonesia, no airport taxes are included in the total airfare. So that could be a consideration before you decide on airport hopping UNLESS, you pick an immediate connection to DPS, have a sunset chill-out at Ku De Ta or for family, at La Lucciola or Potatohead Beach Club at Seminyak, get back to the airport and off to SYD on the retrofitted A333 which never feels like getting old! Unfortunately, there is no airside hotel at CGK. The new Garuda Indonesia Lounge at Terminal 2E is nice, you can pay and get in.

I don't think you should worry on flying Garuda today, they are a very safe airline to fly. I used to worry a little during the Garuda of "The Reputation" era, but today, I feel better flying on their few remaining 737 classics than on MH's classics to be honest. I was even more shocked last week when I flew Citilink by Garuda, its low cost carrier, B737 classics, and I still find it just like flying MH's B737 classics - minus the frills. So I think generally you should find it okay. HOWEVER, Yes, I do have to agree that 9.5 hours layover is horrendous! But as a residence here maybe I can give you some tips. It's good that you arrive on Sunday as traffic is slightly easier on the day. Yes you can take the taxi here, no problem. As you go walk of the arrival hall, there are a few executive taxi counters but might be rather costly. Don't worry, outside there are taxis lining up for customers, arranged according to the company names. Go for BLUEBIRD (light blue body), SILVER BIRD (black body mercedez), EXPRESS (white body), or TIARA EXPRESS (silver body alphard) only! Tiara Express' Toyota Alphard is a nice one for family though, they even provide internet on-board, notebook and phone charger, GPS and card payment. IGNORE those irritating plain-clothed touts offering you 'taxi', never say yes to any of those. Don't even bother The rule applies even to us locals Jakarta itself it actually safe to visit. I've been guiding some of my foreigner friends coming over for a short walk around and they'd been happy. My tips is, leave from the airport at around 2.30pm straight to Glodok in Kota (about 45 minutes), the old Chinatown area with 2 of the eldest Chinese temples, and little alleys selling nice, really good food!! And then from there, you can start a 2 hour walking trail, to Kota Tua (Old City of Batavia), the Kali Besar Area, imagine its glorious past and the not-so-glorious present . The timing should be just nice, around sunset. Should finish the trail at about 5.30, by which time, you'll be at the Fatahillah Square with in front of the old City Hall. Lots of children playing there, and they are renting out old style bicycles for a fun ride-on-your-own around the old city area, and it's safe because the old city area is car-free. End the trip with dinner at the adjacent, famous Cafe Batavia. Favourite for European tourists here. After dinner it should just be a good time to get back to the airport and reach the airport around 8.30, a nice 3 hours away before your GA712 at 2320. When you're so tired already, a cosy Starbucks with large view to tarmac and nice jazzy music could be good enough even in a boring airport Good luck for your trip Hope my tips help!

The old Polonia Airport is supposed to be closed for commercial activities once KNIA is active. Not sure if any military activities will still take place there but chances are quite unlikely. Aside from overcapacity and inability to expand due to its urban surrounding, those living around it are exposed to high-risk of accidents (like the old mandala crash few years back). Talks of speeding up relocation of the airport surfaced after that crash and so, it is very likely that the airport will soon be closed for operation and all activities relocated. It's a pity considering Polonia is one of the few classic airport still in operation today, but nevertheless, the need to expand is getting very urgent now that domestic air travel is booming in Indonesia. Now if the Polonia is closed down, we believe it will still be MES for the new airport too, not too sure about the WIMM though. Meanwhile, the name Adam Malik International Airport is likely for a spanking new airport like that, but nothing confirmed for now.

For tonnes of information on KNIA, maybe this link could help. The masterplan is on this page (51) and the latest update photos are in page 60. That airport is going to be huge when all the three phases are completed. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=409197&page=51

I was reading a debate on an aviation forum about the new 738 Sky Interior. Apparently some people have seen the mock ups of the Sky Interior and claimed that, while it looks more futuristic, more ergonomic and more technologically advanced, the overall feel is still not the spacious-with-more-legroom feel that most people expect. Some are debating on whether Continental Airlines should opt for the Sky Interior or not. I was flying GA's new 738 to Guangzhou and felt rather tight when it was completely fine for a 1-2 hours domestic flight. You have to remember that GA's 738 has a configuration of 12C 144Y and it still is, to me, not the best for a flight over 3 hours. GA used to fly to Beijing using this bird and once the A332 became available, they changed it. On a flight to Japan, I'd rather pay USD100-150 extra for a fresher feeling after landing

I would agree with you on this. I think MH's newer A333 will be somewhat similar to SQ's and the seats are not flat bed but lie flat seats (172 degree) since it's for regional flights. While I haven't really researched on TG, PR and VN, looks like South East Asian airlines are utilizing and designing their A333s for premium regional travels. GA's A333 used to have 294 seats, just like MH but they have all now been retrofitted. GA's retrofitted A333 now carries only 257 pax (42J 215Y) - a significant reduction for much more comfort. Their J seats in the A333 are also lie-flats, featuring 15.4-inch widescreen LCD and all the others available on SQ's regional J. Do you have any info on whether MH will refurbished their older A333 or will they be returned to lessors?

Aircraft procurement processes at GA are now, at least, much more transparent than before. They frequently released news and updates about their financing negotiation, exposing fleet plans to media and how they plan to finance it etc. Indonesian media is now very critical and whenever there is a press briefing about this state-owned company planning to spend big, questions about how they would finance it will surface first and foremost. This is a much better reality for GA, which in the past, SUFFERED A LOT from corrupt-government intervention-> some influential 'strong person' trying to push questionable deals for their own sake, forfeiting the airline's business-plan, turning them into a cash-cow for the 'powerfuls'. One could only imagine, 10-20 years a go, before the liberalization of the aviation sector in Indonesia, GA was about the biggest player around, flying almost everywhere, operating a big fleet of brand new planes, selling out their seats at uber high fares. And yet, they LOST so much money and was hopelessly on the brink of bankruptcy. In fact, it was on paper, bankrupt - liabilities bigger than assets. Today, the story is so much more encouraging. The government has placed some spirited young executives at the board of directors running this company, and they are more than happy to announce their future plans (and being realistic with it). The government no longer interfere with its major decision, well, sometimes they can still come out with unrealistic suggestions like ordering the A380 or opening direct route to south africa, but thanks to the dedicated management team, ideas like this are often very softly quashed. Of course, behind the scene, there may still be hidden agenda, but put it this way, the published numbers were publicly audited, the new planes are visibly gleaming, services are more satisfying and you can almost feel the pride of the crews on duty -> well, they might not be 5 stars yet or anything, but just like coming back from 3 goals down to lead 4-3, they may have a reason for being so. What I think important is that, at least this airlines does not behave like they are desperately clinging to their star-status... It is an achievement, yes, they are proud of the 4-star recognition, but that's about it - lots of unfinished businesses to be done. Realizing that they are not the biggest and the best, they've graciously admit that neighboring rivals are bigger and more established. This inspires them to focus on making their realistic ambitions real. Hopefully, the system they're building now can be implemented to the roots so that when the new management team takes over in due time, it will share the same vision. Just a minor correction on Pieter's article, they do not plan to add 116 planes but they plan to operate 116 by 2014. Currently they operate 74 (3 B744, 6 A333, 4 A332 (out of 14 planned, with 1 coming in Dec, another one next Feb), 14 older B738, 14 new B738 (out of 50 ordered, with 14 more coming this year) and 33 B733/4/5 (getting rid of 10 B734 by year end). The first of 10 ordered B77W is scheduled for the second half of 2011 (unless of course they won their bid to wet-lease AI's 3 B77W-which I doubt) while I don't really know how they come out with the eventual number of 90 B738. Could be more orders or more leases to to make that number. However, Mr. Satar had said the aircraft procurement will be a mixed between sale-and-lease-back and direct purchase through the US-EXIM bank. According to some sources, CGK-TPE to recommence at year end, DPS-BNE-AKL rumoured re-opening first half next year, and a second european city (possibly FRA) in february as another brand new A332 arrives. Keep progressing like this, and they'll be really good. Cheers!

In an interview with ETN (http://www.eturbonews.com/16979/exclusive-interview-air-france-klm-president-pierre-henri-gourge), AF-KLM president said: Although Skyteam further looks for a partner in India – Jet Airways could be the right airline, as both Air India an Kingfisher Airlines are due to join, respectively, Star Alliance and Oneworld - Southeast Asia is rapidly gaining weight for the grouping. Vietnam Airlines joined officially on June 21, adding 20 new destinations to the SkyTeam network. “I can coonfirm that we are now in advanced discussions with Garuda Indonesia,” he explained. Looks like Skyteam is really trying to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. The statement from the president echoes similar statement by GA's CEO on the airline's entry to the alliance next year.

I supposed this one is leased, as it originally was for Delta. The lessor then offered the aircraft to MH and they take it. They should take the opportunity to try out their new seats and config. here, and not make this aircraft simply a longer version of their 734s (which is very probable).

9M-MLF has been rolled out at Renton. This one is the ex-Delta order NTU, then offered to MH and taken. Apparently Delta has had a few NTUs already, with the birds ended up with GA, HU, CZ, CA, flydubai etc. There could be a surprise with this one, my guess is another special livery for MH. Seen 9M-MLD in Bali yesterday. Looks like this aircraft is flying everywhere...

this is a website for RNT and BFI where most 737s are rolled out, tested and take off for their delivery flights hope it's helpful! http://drewski2112.livejournal.com/

According to today's news, passengers on all Garuda Indonesia aircrafts will be able to enjoy wireless internet access on their laptops and send/receive sms on their mobiles from next year. The system will be implemented starting with the newer aircrafts and then to every remaining older aircraft. They will be operating a strong fleet of 42 B737-800s by year end, 28 of them brand new, 5-6 brand new A332s, 6 completely refurbished A333s, 3 older 744s and the rest are the older 733/4/5s - 10 of which will be out of the fleet by year end. Quite a breakthrough for a South East Asian carrier... slowly creeping up the stars-ranking. I think it's good for the aviation scene within the region, more quality alternatives to fly on.

dear all, this is a fantastic video of the first landing in amsterdam after 6 years. great angle... dramatic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2nPmW_T2w

being from indonesia, the case of MH is very similar to that of GA in the past when for every decision made, the government (or some people in the government) have (or insist) the final say. luckily things changed and the current management team did have a deal with the government before they were appointed, that the govt would not interfere with the business side of the airline. everybody breathe a sigh of relief when mr.emirsyah satar, the current CEO who masterminded the reform of GA, is not appointed ministry of transport though he was nominated earlier. analyst welcome the govt decision to leave the right person at the right place and continue what he is already doing well. in the past, the govt did exactly what the malaysian govt did to MH as the largest shareholder. they decided which routes the airline should serve, out of pride and prestige, which planes to order bla bla bla. everyone was disappointed when GA, at the beginning of its reform 5 years ago, drastically downsized their operation, returning 25% of the fleet to lessors, and cutting their routes to almost half! i mean, what were they doing, a flag carrier and we didnt fly anywhere? but now i believed more and more people were looking at it more positively. there was no point flying 'cool' routes such as jakarta-brazil when it would only put the airline in a financial bloodbath... end result, GA is one of the few airlines who do make very healthy operating profit this year, more than last year. heard that they never actually expected to welcome the A332 this year, not even had any plan for it, but when hainan airlines decided not to take up their order, the management was quick enough to catch them up, albeit with a really good deal from airbus! the A333 too, is undergoing major retrofitting, the first of which had been completed and is looking really cool... i just wanna say, actions like this were in the past, decided and controlled by the govt, who didnt care about the business side at all. hopefully MH can break itself free from such a bond with the govt sooner and start operating as it should be. i read somewhere that the profit this year is thanx to massive fuel hedging while they actually suffered quite heavy operational loss, hopefully they can recover and do better..