In Reply to: Garuda is not perfect but ... posted by Louise_Geoff on Thursday, 22. February 2007 at 12:43 Bali Time:
...thanks for all that info Geoff. I found your commentary really interesting. That's quite a spread of airlines you have experienced there! I'm with you on Garuda...in spite of its shortcomings (and there aren't too many) it still is a great way to get into the Bali thing from day one...don't you just love the Indonesian announcements first when generally the only Indonesians on the flight from Melbourne to Denpasar are the crew! I think it's pretty good value for money - especially when you compare it against other airlines. For example, to go Biz with Singapore (which means via Singapore) is anything between $4100 and $4700. Garuda is around $1700 - $2000. The only reason I am seriously considering going with Singapore is because my most recent Bali trip (09/06) cost me an additional $700 in domestic airfares and accommodation because Garuda dumped adelaide. On that basis, going Singapore could cost me up to $2K more. But, if you weigh that up against an additional interesting location, plus the experience of flying biz with Singapore Air, it just might equal reasonable value. The other option is to go with Malaysia Airlines via KL...costs around $3100...so it's somewhere in between Garuda and Sinagapore Air. I can also get a free night in KL both ways, plus I've heard some good things about Malaysia Airlines. So it's all good. Still, nothing beats going Bali direct with Garuda :) I must keep an eye out for the Jet Star TVC...haven't seen the one you mention. By the way, what impressed you about Qantas biz? Cheers - kevin
PS: I know EXACTLY what you mean about who gets the lions share of baggage allowance! Same in my household :)