Garuda Indonesia will pull the plug on its non-stop flights between Jakarta and London in October, as the airline looks to stem the flow of red ink across its balance sheets.
As of October 28 2018, Garuda's sole European destination will be Amsterdam, with flights operating six times a week. SkyTeam partner KLM is understood to be provide the final one-hour leg to London.
"We will work closely with our airline partners to assist our valued passengers affected by this change to ensure that we are able to rearrange their itineraries and re-accommodate them through our Amsterdam-Jakarta route or other alternative flights," Garuda Indonesia said in a statement.
Garuda currently flies its flagship Boeing 777-300ER jets between Jakarta and London just three times each week. It's understood those jets will be reassigned to the Melbourne-Bali and Jakarta-Tokyo routes
The Jakarta-London Boeing 777 service has proven to be unprofitable for the airline and was plagued with teething troubles and a series of delayed launches.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
14 Jul 2011
Total posts 5
Will it be the two-class or three-class 77E that comes onto DPS-MEL?
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
Three class. The two remaining 77Ws with F were flying CGK LHR and DPS TYO, with LHR axed, DPS MEL and CGK TYO is possible.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Great news for MEL-DPS flyers.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Was just going to say this is great news for MEL-based travellers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 381
A 777 to Bali certainly looks like a more comfortable option the the Qantas 737...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Oct 2017
Total posts 2
You are lucky to have a 737, Qantas does not fly Perth Bali at all.... Jetstar only.
27 Jan 2017
Total posts 5
It depends on the seats.
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 12
The first class crew last week told me (on arrival into Jakarta) that they had been told the three class would be operating to Melbourne once Heathrow stopped. I took that to mean CGK-MEL, but it could be DPS-MEL. Exceptional service, so hope that it does come this way.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2015
Total posts 54
Wow, reassigning those 773 jets to MEL-DPS - there must be more premium demand that I would have thought? I would have thought anything AU-DPS would be very low yielding. And I think GA have First Class on these birds too?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jan 2012
Total posts 172
Maybe if they had had better connections from/to Australia they could have picked up a lot more Australian traffic to London. They have a good product and great fares, so its a shame they couldn't get it right.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Yes, a contrast to Philippine Airlines that has newly refurbished A333s ex MEL to MNL and soon the A359 to LHR. Doesn't connect every day but when it does, minimal time at the MNL terminal changing planes.
24 Apr 2016
Total posts 23
There is just not enough demand from Jakarta to London. Their only chances is to pick up some Aussie or Kiwis to fill the B773. They don't have B789, so it would be a task for them to fill this plane up.
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
They dont have the demand for the 777. The 777 was always the wrong choice for Garuda, especially the 300. If it had taken either the 200ER or better, the 787, I would dare bet there would be a fledgling Garuda network to Europe and even the US West coast.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
I feel sorry for Garuda given their product was allegedly very good. I'm sure once they get newer generation jets (most likely A350s) they'll be able to restart the service.
11 Apr 2014
Total posts 13
Sad to see LHR axed. From kerbside to lounge to plane and back again, one of the most enjoyable flights I've ever taken was in GA F.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 175
I honestly can't see 40 odd J and 8 F servicing MEL-DPS... but even if they use the 2 class plane that is a great option don't they use a version of the Thompson seats? Big step up from the 737 or Jetstar options
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 128
I booked SYD-DPS-SYD back in May for travel in December. I really struggled to justify the j class fares on QF/VA/JQ at 2500+ for the points when GA was 1600. Normally that kind of difference as a one off isn't too bad if you are chasing points or status, but when you look at the variation in aircraft, service, seats, etc, it makes it an even bigger gap. Garuda really has a great offering and it's a shame they aren't publicised at all. No advertising in the media of any sort for the average traveller to know that they have better options than the alternate.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Is another part of the problem that these second tier carriers just don't have the agreements with Flight Centre, Helloworld, Webject and independent travel agents that the 'big boys' may?
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Get a chance to fly in F with Garuda before they complete disolve the product. Very nice, not over the top but just perfect service both soft and hard.
Garuda Indonesia - Garuda Miles
30 Jan 2015
Total posts 23
Had the privilege of flying CGK-LHR in F. What an excellent experience. It's sad that they can't make this work.
27 Jan 2017
Total posts 5
Considering Garuda was banned from flying into Europe between 2007 and 2009 for its poor safety practices and record, it's no surprise that the demand for their services on this route is limited.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
That's a little unfair, as like people, airlines can change. GA has passed all the necessary safety checks so we shouldn't assess it how it was in 2008.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
Can't see it mentioned anywhere, but what will now service the AMS route - still a 777-300ER?
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
A two class 300ER nonstop from Jakarta to Amsterdam six times a week.
19 Feb 2016
Total posts 7
I wonder if the USA is back on their radar. Perfect plane for this. Long haul. Possible good yields.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
There was a quote on FlyerTalk from a rep from Garuda, it won't happen and it's off the table...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 162
Be great to have 3 class on MEL-DPS, even lie-flat J/C. Did J/C on their 2-class A330-300 not long back which would have been exceptionally good except for the old angled lie-flat seat and sliding downwards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
This thread has quickly become a MLB-DPS topic, with little mention of CGK-LHR, or CGK-AMS.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
28 Feb 2018
Total posts 2
Just flew Perth Bali return.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 397
You're thinking A330, not 777. They moved from A330 to 737 18/07/2018 according to Flightaware. I don't think Garuda has ever run 777 to Perth.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
14 Aug 2018
Total posts 5
Time for a Jakarta - Auckland service
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
20 Dec 2013
Total posts 31
I flew MEL - CGK (A330) and CGK - LHR (B777-300) in J class in July. Connection in CGK was tight (actually they held the flight because of our late arrival from MEL. There were about 35 others with me.
28 Nov 2012
Total posts 93
Only 3 days a week might have had something to do with it not being successful. A smaller aircraft more often should work ie A350 or 787.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Travellers prefer a daily or better frequency.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
Agreed, a daily frequency with better AUS connections would have made the route profitable. Also, Why on earth would they have only fitted 2 B777 with F and not just done a 50/50 split?
Air France - Flying Blue
10 Nov 2017
Total posts 5
Flew GA MEL-LHR-MEL in June this year in J class and very good it was too, secured an upgrade to F CGK-LHR for a bid of $365 :-) Shame LHR service is ending.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
Anyone know if GA actually owns the Heathrow slots .. or are they a sub-lease from AF/KLM ?
14 Jan 2016
Total posts 5
FWIW- Just noticed that JKT to LHR is back on when I went searching for April next year.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Garuda will axe its London Boeing 777-300ER flights