Flying to Bali in style: review of Garuda Indonesia’s business class
With an inflight chef and 40kg baggage allowance, this airline presents an attractive alternative to budget carriers.
With an inflight chef and 40kg baggage allowance, this airline presents an attractive alternative to the budget carriers.
The seat
The business-class cabin has 24 seats in a reverse herringbone 1-2-1 configuration. Each is encased in a moulded booth, which enhances the sense of privacy.
My front-row window seat is perfect for a solo traveller, but friends or couples wanting to chat should opt for middle seats D and G.
The cabin look is solid rather than sleek; seats are covered in a bland mushroom-coloured fabric and are 50.29cm wide with 114.3cm pitch. A touch panel converts my seat to a lie-flat bed and a decent-sized pillow and fleecy blanket are provided.
The reading light is excellent and there is a universal power socket and USB port at hand. While there’s a shelf next to the window, there’s very little storage space other than the overhead locker so I keep my handbag by my feet.
The stylish amenities kit includes facial mist, body cream and lip salve from French beauty brand Payot, along with socks, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask and ear buds.
Entertainment
There is a 39.6cm touch screen and a remote control stored in a compartment beside me. It all looks promising but sadly the movie and TV show offerings are extremely limited and quite dated. There are just four movies in the new-release section, only one of which was released in the current year. Meanwhile, the “new to movies” category offers only 12 English-speaking movies and includes well-worn classics such as The Matrix.
There’s no wi-fi service available, so passengers should download entertainment to their devices before they depart.
Dining
The four-person crew in charge of the business cabin includes an inflight chef who conjures an extremely tasty lunch from his compact galley.
Service starts with a glass of orange juice or Henriot champagne before take-off, and there’s more drinks soon after we’re airborne. Lunch commences with a nicoise salad with seared tuna and I choose the braised chicken in curry sauce for the main course. It’s one of the most appetising inflight meals I’ve eaten, featuring a succulent piece of chicken served in a fragrant sauce with a nice kick of chilli, alongside steamed rice and green beans. French and Indonesian wines are on offer so I opt for a crisp Balinese rose. A cheesecake for dessert is followed with an espresso, with two varieties of Indonesian coffee beans available.
I decline the offer of a light snack two hours before landing but enjoy a refreshing juice made from the Indonesian fruit kedondong.
Service
The crew are extremely attentive and full of smiles so it’s not surprising to learn that Garuda has earnt the Skytrax World’s Best Cabin Crew award multiple times, most recently in 2023. My charming attendant Prisilia addresses me by name throughout the flight and provides helpful advice on the Indonesian menu options.
Baggage allowance
On top of a checked baggage allowance of 40kg, there’s a 7kg carry-on allowance and 23kg for one sporting item.
Loyalty program
Members of GarudaMiles can earn and redeem miles with SkyTeam Alliance members as well as the airline’s codeshare partners Etihad and ANA.
On the ground
Business-class flyers take a fast lane through immigration at Sydney Airport and have access to the SkyTeam Lounge in Sydney. A dedicated immigration lane awaits in Bali and an airport pick-up service is available. The Garuda lounge at Bali’s international airport is underwhelming, with very tired decor. The airline says it’s planning a “gradual revamp” of the facility in 2025.
What it costs
A one-way fare from Sydney and Denpasar is from $2248, based on an airline website search departing three months from date of publication.
The verdict
Garuda’s business-class service is a sound option for travellers wanting to fly to Bali in comfort. Disappointing entertainment is offset by delightful cabin crew and tasty cuisine prepared by an inflight chef. Extra points also go to the airline for its concise pre-flight email, which include handy hyperlinks to the multiple certificates and visas required to enter Indonesia.
Libby Moffet was a guest of Buahan, a Banyan Escape, and was upgraded courtesy of Garuda Indonesia.
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