Here is a quick report about GA, done in June.
The free Ibis Budget hotel shuttle dropped me off at the quiet and recently built Terminal 3. The home carrier GA moved all their operations the 1st of May 2017. When talking to one of the security staff, he revealed me that the building a akin an Indian construction. Not sure what he exactly meant...
Moderate trafic at 8am to CGK
First glimpses of the newest terminal
How nice !
Unlike the other terminals, it's very airy, bright and obviously modern with a nice architecture and local touches.
So following a quick x-ray check, I headed off to zone 1 for international departures and after peeking on both sides where Skypriority signages were visible I chose the left one fully dedicated to premium customers. Self service kiosks were available at the other end of the terminal
Going to BKK with GA868 would have make more sense for them
It shines bright
Keeping on learning about the local culture and other Indonesian destinations
Check in agent was polite and proactive. He managed to check my luggage all the way to Jozi in SA without a fuss but admitted that the GA/KQ codeshare agreement works mostly on CGK-BKK segment and was about to tear off all Bps to re print 3 BP with an extra HKG-BKK as an addition to the CGK-HKG-NBO-JNB until I explained him HKG-BKK was the same flight as HKG-NBO .
Also he told me that buying an upgrade at the airport is way more expensive than to bid online, despite having read that when done online you don't get the full treatment and get an economy class meal. Unfounded, he replied me. So to enjoy business class comfort on that day I had to fork out 4 millions IDR or 285 eur... (same price as the on line bid or fare difference of my ticket and J ticket btw) While i waited his enquiry to the ticketing team he suggested to sit down and relax on the armchairs available.
Time to check in
A welcoming space with free wifi
A good point is the channels for premium guest at both security and immigration posts. At 8.40 am it proved being useless as both totally deserted!
Past security & immigration posts, a Dutch bike ?
A few retails to be completed
GA lounges (First & Business), opposite to gate 9 at the mezzanine, are pretty nice, with a separate entrance for each class of course. For amenities not in the pictures, one can find prayer rooms (female and male), a business center, a kid area, relaxing rooms, theater room (with blockbuster movies screened all day long), reflexology chairs, smoking room, showers etc etc. It lacks a wider choice of newspapers and magazine in English language though. Due to ramadan fasting, a staffed bar did not display any alcoholic substances. Catering wise the usual local stuffs with also, like in some hotels, an egg station ( for omelette, scrambled etc etc..) so very appetizing!
First Class entrance unattended
The rest of mere mortals must go left for a first check...
And across a long corridor with, (i presume) behind the wall, the FC lounge at the right
The reception for J and STE+ clients
some views
This view is similar to PVG lounge 69 ...
Food buffet
The hearty selection
I'm pissed off because willing to buy some cigarettes, they appeared 2,5 times more expensive than what you can purchase landisde or in town. Can a smoker may explain the difference of taste and price???
Boarding on this A332, started later than initially planned, 10 min only, agents made the pax to respect their status/class and at the door 2L, a charming crew showed me the direction 2nd row right behind the business class, huh?
A heaven for spotters
PK – GPQ, a 4 yo machine
Without paying much attention, I've walked up to the back section of the aircraft to seat as initially, seat 26A was prebooked, now BP was showing 21K, so what happened? I think when the friendly check in agent confirmed me if i wanted a window, he unintentionally changed the seat.
Entering the second cabin at row 30, I figured out how cabins may vary from an airline to another. Y class starts at row 21, with the first row seats having extra legroom. Did I got this as a privilege due to the status or ramdomly? Sadly nobody will ever know
. Truth be told is that situation was confusing because, unlike my brother, I hate being over the wing - better an aisle than a wing! But the free extra comfort troubled my mind.Old J cabin – god bless the upgrade refusal!
Matching colors and modern cabin !
Going backwards to 21K
How cool from GA ! Well almost...
The only one in Y+ or whatever you want to call it !
Welcome drink (no choice)
The flight wasn't busy at all, 60% at best, a full middle row could be grabbed by anyone even after the crew dimmed off the light after lunch.
Ok, i'm not accustomed to Asian flights, so forgive my high expectations.
Meal today consisted of beef with rice or chicken with rice! After the [basic & tasteless] Ibis Budget hotel brekkie, yeahhh more rice
!!!!Full tray + hot option, then followed the bread and the cold drink. Half way through an attendant carried over a tray loaded of juices ( guava/mango/orange/water) and before landing a basket of candies.
5h for 2016 miles on a direct route.
I bet for the PK-GII ...
Old (and sweaty) terminal
Not always you get an amenity kit on a day time flight in Economy class, thank you GA !
Standard contents
A lucky opportunist
With free wifi (almost) everywhere in this world, who would dare a such spending ?
Certainly not the movie of the century...
Interesting details, for French and Spanish travellers...
Beef or chicken ? And what about the drink Mr 21K ?
A 5 yo kid just behind me just kept on kicking of the seat which was very irritating. Even though his dad was aware about that!
60% maybe in Y on this first service of the day to HKG
Perfume, hand lotion and toothbrush ; very much appreciated in Y ! Congrats GA !
Music to relax, and why not Madonna from time to time ?
More nasty sollicitations
In Africa, for that length (well, beyond 1h30 duration) you get an aperitif (drink and nuts), the same full meal as here, but also a service of coffee/tea! Surely the crew was good enough, nothing more than usual.
Landing video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wT6f_wmoo
Like London a wee small extra tour in the air and then back to the ground from the west at 16:14!
The bests of you, can see the Ngong Ping 360 here...
One of 2 European A380,
Crew announced that J pax would disembark first and at 16:50 a staff at Skyteam Lounge told me to wait until 17:00 for champagne to be displayed in the ice bucket!
Last view of the beast
Overall, for my first time in CGK and with GA, a very enjoyable service with a brand new experience on the ground, that could please first time visitors as frequent flyers, onboard always nice to get a row upfront more over with extra legroom for free. IFE selection in French and music with ample choices, food and drink ok as they provide alcoholic beverages even during the Ramadam. Glad i've declined the upgrade with this older cabin, also without 2 bottles of wines drunk I could have ended up slapping the kid or his dad or certainly both ....
Thanks for reading!
