Garuda or Virgin or other Bali?

[NDiddy]

Hey guys,

Well to my utter surprise (and joy) I've just been informed that I've won an award at work and my reward is an all expenses paid trip to Bali for about 5 days. I'll be attending with a bunch of other people from our Asia Pacific offices so it's not just me/my partner kind of a deal.

Reading through the "giude" that has been provided only economy class travel is permitted with higher classes paid for by myself (if I chose to do that) and no lounge access either

So I thought I'd ask the experts on which airline I should consider in getting to Bali from MEL?

From what I can see it seems that my choices are limited to DJ, JQ or Garuda. Anyone have any suggestions on which one I should consider?

DJ makes the most sense as I'm with Velocity FF but open to any and all suggestions. Thanks

 

[straitman]

I personally would never fly Garuda and I have said that many times in the past. Some armchair experts here disagree but that is their prerogative.

 

[djfuzz]

Recently flew from Bali on DJ on a shiny new BSI 738. As Plat I was able to select row 3, which is fantastic, and due to a light load we didn't have any members other than our travelling party in that row. The rest of the plane was also relatively light, so lots of people were able to stretch out.

JQ is JQ - can be fine, but economy is a mixed bag and I'm not sure that 'Business' class is necessarily worth it.

Can't comment about Garuda - I understand they've been turning things around, but I wouldn't discount what straitman has to say.

 

[NDiddy]

I personally would never fly Garuda and I have said that many times in the past. Some armchair experts here disagree but that is their prerogative.

Hi straitman - Thanks for your input. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this but will admit to having "some" reservations with Garuda myself.

So between DJ and JQ - any preference for this route?

 

[oz_mark]

I'd be inclined for DJ, however JQ is fine, if you get the direct flight (tis an A330, so a bigger plane).

If the days of travel dictate the JQ jig through Darwin, forget it.

 

[NDiddy]

Recently flew from Bali on DJ on a shiny new BSI 738. As Plat I was able to select row 3, which is fantastic, and due to a light load we didn't have any members other than our travelling party in that row. The rest of the plane was also relatively light, so lots of people were able to stretch out.

JQ is JQ - can be fine, but economy is a mixed bag and I'm not sure that 'Business' class is necessarily worth it.

Can't comment about Garuda - I understand they've been turning things around, but I wouldn't discount what straitman has to say.

Hi djfuzz - Thanks for the insight into DJ. I'm nowhere near Plat so doubt I'll have the luxury as you did but nice to know the load was light. Given when I'll be flying (middle of March) I would not expect too many people on the flight.

 

[NDiddy]

I'd be inclined for DJ, however JQ is fine, if you get the direct flight (tis an A330, so a bigger plane).

If the days of travel dictate the JQ jig through Darwin, forget it.

Great advise oz_mark. It's already looking like JQ outbound is a no go due to stopovers in either SYD or Darwin and no direct flights. But they are an option on the way back. I'll keep the A330 metal in mind.

Flew JQ to BKK a few years ago and it wasn't too bad in Y but doubt that Bus is worth it on JQ (well may be for lounge/FF earn capabilities etc). But the hard product itself doesn't seem to be that enticing.

Not sure why I'm talking about J anyway since I'll more than likely end up in Y unless you guys can convince me otherwise

 

[Bundy Bear]

JQ35 flies direct to Bali a few times a week on an A330-200, just check which flight numbers and days.

Another option is Air Australia.

 

[Limewood]

You could try and get exit seats in Y, more room.

 

[jetlagger]

I personally would never fly Garuda and I have said that many times in the past. Some armchair experts here disagree but that is their prerogative.

I'm with you on that one!


Plenty of better options on the MEL/DPS sector, obviously a nonstop sector would be more attractive than a via....

Have fun!

 

[BAM1748]

Garuda or 'other'. I'd be flying 'other'.

Matt

 

[dajop]

Type Garuda into the search on AFF. You get a good range of opinions. I have flown them domestically in Indonesia, and there are really only two airlines I'd consider for domestic flights in Indonesia - Air Asia and Garuda. Whilst it is not the be-all and end-all, the fact that EU banned all Indonesian airlines in 2007 for safety reasons, but after a series of changes instigated by the airline (and audits of such) removed Garuda from the banned list in 2009 (there are still only a very small number of Indonesian airlines removed from the list). They're no QF, but I do wonder if there safety standards (now) are all that different to other SE Asian carriers.

Also I wonder how many people who would never fly GA, happily ride around on scooters in Bali without a helmet? Even getting into a taxi in Bali is not without its risks.

 

[NDiddy]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Please do keep them coming.

Can anyone tell me if the Virgin 738 metal that flies from MEL -> DPS directly actually has a Business Class or is it just PE with the middle seat blocked out?

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Please do keep them coming.

Can anyone tell me if the Virgin 738 metal that flies from MEL -> DPS directly actually has a Business Class or is it just PE with the middle seat blocked out?

As with the rest of their network, they're selling it as J now, so you should get a refitted / BSI aircraft with the new J and row 3, but YMMV of course. I would imagine it less likely that they would sub a rogue aircraft on an international leg like this unless they absolutely had to, as they'd have to provide relatively greater compensation for those who paid for a full J service and wouldn't receive it.

 

[NDiddy]

As with the rest of their network, they're selling it as J now, so you should get a refitted / BSI aircraft with the new J and row 3, but YMMV of course. I would imagine it less likely that they would sub a rogue aircraft on an international leg like this unless they absolutely had to, as they'd have to provide relatively greater compensation for those who paid for a full J service and wouldn't receive it.

Geez didn't realise that was the case on the A330's as well?

Judging from their website it looks like 3 rows of 6 J recliners but who knows. Had an interesting thought of paying the difference myself between Y and J about $650 return which would give double miles and 160SC - Worth it?

 

[djfuzz]

Geez didn't realise that was the case on the A330's as well?

Judging from their website it looks like 3 rows of 6 J recliners but who knows. Had an interesting thought of paying the difference myself between Y and J about $650 return which would give double miles and 160SC - Worth it?

It's not the case with the A330s, sorry if I gave that impression. But the A330 only goes to PER and sometimes repositions between SYD or MEL and YMMV as to whether you get the A330 even on that route, although they seem to have improved that considerably right now.

To Bali you will get a 737 - and hopefully a 738. It is more likely to be either BSI or refitted, so there would be two rows of four J seats, nowhere near as spacious as the 330 seats, but not too bad for what they are.

If it's a work thing, maybe you can get them to pay for a Flexi fare and use points to upgrade to J?

 

[NDiddy]

It's not the case with the A330s, sorry if I gave that impression. But the A330 only goes to PER and sometimes repositions between SYD or MEL and YMMV as to whether you get the A330 even on that route, although they seem to have improved that considerably right now.

To Bali you will get a 737 - and hopefully a 738. It is more likely to be either BSI or refitted, so there would be two rows of four J seats, nowhere near as spacious as the 330 seats, but not too bad for what they are.

If it's a work thing, maybe you can get them to pay for a Flexi fare and use points to upgrade to J?

That kind of J shouldn't be too bad for a 6 hour flight.

Wish I had the points to upgrade from flexi to J but have recently burned almost all of it leaving a piddly 2K in points sitting in the account. Not enough for a 5 min upgrade in J

 

[NDiddy]

Quick update guys - Ended booking with DJ as the flight times were better. Going a couple of days before the work do starts to get some R&R. J upgrade outbound is $365 and no J avail inbound. Thinking I should pocket the money and spend it on the resort I stay in for the first 2 nights.

Anyone departing Melb in the AM on the 17th of March who wants me to be their +1 to the lounge

 

[mavrick9]

If your travelling with your partner, consider switching on family pooling.

Gets at least one of you closer to Gold.

 

[travelislife]

I have been investigating the same route for a trip in October. Out of interest do you know how much your flights ended up being NDiddy? We are looking at departing 19/10/12 on JQ (as that is the only flight that would let me work that day) but returning on the 27th all three airlines depart at similar times. At the moment all the fares are around $800 return, which seems pretty expensive. I know it is a long way out but does anyone know historically what sale fares can be on this route/airlines? Historically how far out does JQ seem to discount fares? We are outside of any school holidays so would have thought we could get something decent. Am I dreaming at $500 return?