Batik Air economy class review: why this flight from Bali is inhumane
This budget airline is a popular choice for holidaymakers heading to the Indonesian island, but passengers should know what they’re letting themselves in for.
Batik Air Malaysia is a popular choice for holidaymakers heading to the Indonesian island, but passengers should know what they’re letting themselves in for.
The seat
This aircraft can carry 180 economy-class passengers in a 3-3 seating configuration. Travellers who want business class will need to fly on the dual-cabin version of this aircraft. Seats are no-frills brown and red faux leather, measuring 46cm wide (18 inches), with an 81cm pitch (32 inches). They feel narrow, with hard armrests wedging you into your seat but legroom is relatively generous. Their apparently flimsy structure means you feel every jiggle and twitch from the passengers beside and behind, and every footstep along the aisle. Seat selection prior to check-in costs $15-$50, for a standard seat ranging up to the Row 1 option with extra legroom, which is also where the two bassinets are.
Entertainment
There’s no in-seat screen but passengers are allegedly able to access movies and TV shows on their personal devices via a QR code. The wi-fi isn’t working, however. Fortunately, I’ve brought a book for my outgoing flight. Despite the best efforts of the two kids beside me, I manage to get a couple of hours’ sleep. A passenger in front is unimpressed by the jiggling of the youngsters and tells them off. Their parents, in the row behind, are oblivious. On the return overnighter, I put on my eye mask and Trtl neck pillow and get some sleep.
Technology
Inflight wi-fi is allegedly available but it’s unresponsive.
On the menu
Passengers planning to dine on board should order their meal online at least 48 hours prior to departure because options – and supply – are extremely limited. A menu in the seat back advertises dishes such as chicken biryani, fish curry and nasi lemak ($9-$11) but it’s a pie-in-the-sky proposition because by the time the trolley gets to my row, they’ve sold out. Only snacks such as chips and nuts remain. Thankfully, given the delayed departure, I had eaten at the airport and brought a muesli bar and bottle of water to tide me over. On the return journey from Bali, I’m outraged, as are other passengers, to be charged for water. Complimentary H2O is offered only to passengers who pre-order meals. This is not a big deal on the flight from Sydney because you can BYO. In Denpasar, however, all water bottles are confiscated at the gate for security reasons. The only way to get a drink on board is to pay for it, and the tap-payment device is kaput, so passengers on my flight either need cash or to be willing to use a credit card for a $2.50 bottle of water. I am a whopping 1000 rupiah (10c) short but the crew put their heads together and decide to let it slide. The whole situation leaves a nasty taste in the mouth; one woman tells me she will never fly Batik again.
Luggage allowance
“Value” economy passengers can check in one bag of up to 20kg and one carry-on of strictly 7kg. Be prepared to have your carry-on weighed at the bag-drop counter in Sydney. They seem more relaxed in Denpasar.
Onboard service
On my outgoing journey I find it difficult to understand the cabin crew on the plane’s PA system. I also have minimal interaction with them for the duration of the flight. When the trolley comes down the aisle, I’m not offered so much as a drink. They just pass me by, which is fine given I’ve self-catered. For my return journey experience, see “On the menu”.
Loyalty program
Batik Airways Malaysia operates its own Batik Air Club loyalty program.
On the ground
Sydney check-in at 5am is fast and efficient, and it’s pretty seamless in Denpasar too.
In the know
Batik Airways Malaysia flies direct to Bali from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, with connecting flights to Kuala Lumpur.
The bottom line
Return “value” economy class fare, Sydney to Denpasar, is $708, based on airline website search two months from publication.
The verdict
Asking passengers to spend six hours on a plane without ready access to water seems inhumane. If airport security is going to confiscate water bottles, the airline should be obliged to offer it free of charge. Between the antics of my young neighbours, a bloke who has adopted the trend of watching shows on his phone at full volume without earphones, the late departure and lack of food, water and entertainment, this is a thoroughly unpleasant experience. For a cheap day flight to Bali, it serves its purpose but the return journey, which is the usual overnight red-eye back to Sydney, has no selling points – apart from price.
Penny Hunter was a guest of Goddess Retreats in Bali.
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