Garuda Indonesia Business Class Review

Garuda Indonesia is one of the leading airlines in Southeast Asia, known for its exceptional service and well-equipped cabins. As frequent travelers, we have had the pleasure of experiencing their Business Class flights on several occasions, and we are excited to share our flight review with you in this article.

From the moment you step onto their planes, it is clear that Garuda Indonesia emphasizes providing an excellent flight experience.

Join us and explore all aspects of our flights, where we provide honest reviews of Garuda Indonesia in Business Class.

To travel to Thailand, we have used this airline. Thanks to an offer, we were able to take advantage of the business class at an excellent price.

A bit of history about Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia (IATA code: GA) is an iconic airline with a rich history that is part of the SkyTeam alliance (so, they have as partner airlines Air France, KLM and Delta). Founded in 1949, it is the national airline of Indonesia and has played a crucial role in connecting millions of Indonesians with the rest of the world.

The name “Garuda” comes from Hindu mythology, where Garuda is known as a divine bird and the mount of Lord Vishnu.

Over the years, Garuda Indonesia has become one of the leading airlines in Asia. It has a modern fleet of over 70 aircraft flying to more than 90 domestic and international destinations.

The airline has also received numerous awards for its excellent service, including being named “World’s Best Cabin Crew” by Skytrax for five consecutive years.

In addition to its impressive operations, Garuda Indonesia also holds a special place in Indonesian culture and identity.

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A review about Garuda Indonesia in Business Class cabin

Check-In

The check-in was done at the airport, easy and without problem, our review of Garuda Indonesia in Business Class started well. I was able to make the selection of seats in advance online, although I remember struggling a bit with the site, but eventually, I succeeded.

On a long-haul flight, it is important to select the most suitable type of seat, since in the business section there are two rows of individual seats and the middle part are seats for two.

But there are two types of seats for two: one that allows the two people not to see each other and the other in which the seats are really together and if you are traveling with someone you want to talk to during the flight, it is the best option.

Once we got our boarding passes, we had the wonderful “Fast Track” passes, with those we got through security and passport control fast. A very useful pass.

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What to do if you have a long layover in Jakarta?

If you have an overnight stopover at Jakarta airport (as was our case), there are several hotels around the airport to spend the night.

But if you definitely don’t want to leave the airport, there is the option of the Jakarta Airport Hotel. We stayed there on the outbound flight since the connection was very long (from 8 PM to 9 AM the next day) and We had a restful sleep.

Boarding

On all Garuda flights, they had started on time.

When traveling in business class, we had the right to be among the first to board.

Upon boarding, the flight attendant offers us a pre-departure welcome drink to wait for the entire boarding process.

There are the classic options to drink: champagne, wine, juice, but we chose a drink that was typical of the airline that was the “ambarella juice”. It was delicious.

Seats

Long-haul flight in Business Class Seat

On the two long-haul flights we took (London to Jakarta and vice versa), Garuda’s business class configuration was 1 – 2 – 1, as I told you before, I chose a two-seat configuration where the two passengers were close to each other. This is possible with the aisle seats.

The other two-seat configuration allowed you to be completely isolated from the one next to you, which is perfect for when traveling alone, but that was not our case, in any case, the best seats in case of solo travelers are the window ones as there the privacy is total.

The truth is that once in the seat, the feeling of privacy is complete. You don’t feel overwhelmed and surrounded by people, even though there are people around, the seats are made in such a way that you feel a pleasant sensation of solitude.

The space for the legs is enormous, as you can imagine. The seat can be fully reclined, so you can sleep without any problem. What a joy!

There were also several electrical connections, so you can leave the equipment charging without any problem. Also, we checked out the compartment space that already had a bottle of water in it.

And please note of the IFE remote and seat controls that are on the side, with that, you can turn the seat into a bed, so confortable! 

Another thing I liked about this plane is that during the flight they used various types of dim lights to set the mood for the cabin. Even at times you could see “stars” on the roof of the cabin, very nice.

Medium-haul flight in Business Class seat

On the medium-haul flights (flights from Jakarta to Bangkok and vice versa) the seats are 1-2, still with plenty of legrooms, but here there is no bed.

Although it was not needed since the flight was not more than 3/4 hours.

Amenity kit

Garuda Indonesia’s amenity kit for business class contains various products from the French brand Clarins, hand and face cream, lip balm and lotion.

Also, there are toothpaste and a toothbrush, slippers, a hairbrush, earplugs and an eye mask to help you sleep better.

Meal service

Long-haul flight

Arriving at the seat, we consult the menu and shortly after takeoff the stewardess approaches us to ask us what our choice of food is. There are two options for starter and main course for the meal service. The service is, how to describe it, like a high-end restaurant, it was excellent.

They put a tablecloth for us on the tray table, and all the cutlery is made of metal.

They bring us the entrance first and when we finish what follows. As in the restaurant, very nice.

As for the drink menu, they have many options, such as juices, sodas, liquors, wine.

After the meal, follows the dessert and then tea or coffee.

If hunger strikes between meals, there’s no need to rush, there are snacks, but there is a difference between business and economy class, where you have to get up and grab your snack and that’s it.

Both times I went for my snack, the flight attendant told me not to worry about that, and they brought it to me and when they arrived it came with all the tablecloth service.

For example: I went to serve a glass of soup, and they heated it up for me and put it in a beautiful deep plate with a tomato and an egg. Oh, wow.

On another occasion, they brought me some nachos with cheese. Definitely, while traveling in business class on Garuda Indonesia, one does not stay hungry.

As you can imagine, my review of the food service on the flight with Garuda Indonesia in business class is more than excellent.

Medium haul flight

As in long-haul flights, here you choose between two options, and they serve you super well presented.

On this flight something happened: on the Bangkok-Jakarta flight (it was already on the way back) I began to feel cold, and at some moment the flight attendant came to see me without me saying anything.

She told me, “oh, I see that you don’t feel very good“.

And she brought me a box of tissues, and then she asked me if I wanted a tea with honey and lemon.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and yes, she brought me a tea with honey and a slice of lemon.

An attention that I will never forget on a plane. This goes beyond business class service!

Onboard entertainment system

At each seat, we have an inflight entertainment screen (IFE). In them, we had a good selection of movies to pass the long hours of flight. In addition to the flight maps.

Emergency instructions

Everything normal, they give the slogans in Indonesian language and in English. Well visible to all passengers. The stewardesses came out with the uniform that I liked a lot.

State of the bathrooms

At this point, there are no complaints, no bad reviews, throughout the flight they were clean and with the necessary items such as soap and paper always available, good for Garuda Indonesia.

Also, I guess because it was business class, there were also creams and lotions for the face.

Support through social media

I cannot comment on Garuda Indonesia’s performance at this point, as I did not require support via social media.

Layover at Jakarta airport (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)

At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (IATA code: CGK), you can spend your time in the various restaurants and shops in the terminal.

We had quite a long layover on arrival, so we spent the night at the hotel in terminal 2, when we arrived at terminal 3 we had to use its modern and brand-new train that connects the terminals. It works like a charm.

Relax in the Lounge at Terminal 3

On the outward flight, we used the New Terminal 3 business class lounge (Saphire – Plaza Premium Lounge), where you can rest before taking the next flight.

When it comes to food and drinks, there is a lot of variety and the atmosphere was quite calm. Other services that you can find here are Wi-Fi and shower facilities.

Special mention to the foot massage machine. Really, if you can profit of this lounge access on your Garuda Indonesia flight, go for it!

After that, a short walk from the lounge, you will find your gate.

Arrival at Destination

On all flights we arrive on time at our destination, we hope it continues like this with this airline.

Frequently asked question about a Business Class flight on Garuda Indonesia

General review of Garuda Indonesia

Flying with Garuda Indonesia exceeded my expectations with their outstanding business class service, hence this review.

In the business class product of long-haul flights, I already have a point of comparison that is KLM (our first trip in this class) and I have to say that it far surpasses them.

You feel a lot of that “Asian hospitality” added to the already pleasant experience of flying in business class.

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