Review of Garuda Indonesia Business Class

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Indonesia. It is named after the first President and Vice-President and is located approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) west of Jakarta, in the city of Tangerang.

The airport has three main terminals: domestic flights from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; international flights from Terminal 3. A free SkyTrain monorail and shuttle bus connects the terminals around the clock. There’s a futuristic-looking new Terminal 4 currently under construction, which is slated to open in 2024.

One of the notable features of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the inventive ‘garden within the airport’ design concept - there’s a tropical garden and lush plants throughout. It gives Soekarno-Hatta International Airport a unique Indonesian character, with Terminal 2 reminiscent of a resort hotel in one of the islands. Terminal 3 is however gleaming new and features a contemporary design.

Business Class passengers can take advantage of a new Premium Check-In facility at Soekarno-Hatta and four other major Indonesian airport hubs (Kualanamu International Airport Medan, Ngurah Rai Airport Bali, Sepinggan Airport Balikpapan, and Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Makassar).

Services include premium departure lounge facilities and personal service assistance (PSA) with sit down check-in, overweight-baggage handling, class upgrades, reservations, ticketing, route changes and fast-track immigration clearances. 

The Garuda Indonesia Business Class Lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is in Terminal 3 on the mezzanine level next to the First Class Lounge. It is a very large, tastefully decorated facility sporting Indonesian design accents and cultural curios. 

Facilities include a business centre, wireless internet connection, rest and relax area, reflexology machine, showers, children's play area, nursery room, prayer room and a smoking area. There is a selection of comfortable seating and dining and tables suitable for working throughout. There are plenty of power sockets and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

A large selection of food and beverages is available from two buffets, including Indonesian and international dishes, sandwiches, fresh fruit, salad bar and desserts. Coffee, juices, soft drinks, and water is also available and there is a small bar in the middle of the Lounge serving beer and wine.

Younger children will appreciate the colourfully decorated playroom, which has toys and a television (but don’t tell them about the popcorn maker in the main Lounge)!

On Garuda Indonesia, the first row of Business Class is always row number 6, a tradition dating back to when more aircraft had First Class which always started with row 1. These days most aircraft do not offer First Class, but Garuda still insists on always starting Business Class from row 6.

On entering the aircraft, you are greeted by the sound of traditional Indonesian music and a warm welcome from the mostly female cabin crew wearing a stylish kebaya and batik sarong combo in either cobalt blue, lilac, tosca, or orange. Unfortunately, this charming colour scheme does not extend to the cabin, which is rendered in inoffensive, but less characterful soft browns and beiges.

Business Class seating on Garuda Indonesia depends on the aircraft type, with the airline offering several different products across its fleet. Make sure to check the seat map so you know what to expect.

The flagship Boeing 777-300ER and the new Airbus A300-300neo both offer forward facing staggered seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The Boeing 777-300ER offers 26 or 38 Business Class seats depending on the aircraft configuration, while the Airbus A330-900neo offers 36 seats in Business Class. Seats on alternating rows are placed closer to the aisle or closer to the window - or the centre of the cabin for the two centre seats. Every second row offers a pair of “honeymoon seats” in the centre, although a privacy partition can be extended if needed. Single seats placed close to the window allow the best privacy. Each seat is ergonomically designed with an adjustable headrest and ample legroom. The seats are 21.2 inches (53.8 centimetres) wide, have a pitch of 43 inches (109 centimetres) and can recline into a comfortable 73 inches (185 centimetres) flatbed. There’s a reading lamp and USB and power socket on each seat. IFE remote and seat controls are within easy reach. Conveniently, the tray table slides forward so you are not trapped in your seat during meals.  A nice touch is that as lights are shut off, a starry sky appears in the ceiling.

Arguably the most comfortable Business Class seats on Garuda Indonesia are offered on Airbus A330-300 aircraft that have been configured with 24 “Super Diamond” reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 layout. On these aircraft, window seats are angled slightly towards the window while centre seats are slightly angled towards the centre of the cabin.

The most basic widebody Business Class product is offered on Airbus A330-200 and -300 aircraft that each still feature 36 angled-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. These seats only recline to 165 degrees, but this is less on an issue as these aircraft primarily operate shorter routes.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested, before making your choice.

Business Class travellers receive an amuse-bouche and complimentary drinks following take-off. Meals include a choice of two starters and three main courses (European or Asian-themed dishes). On flights operating to Japan and South Korea, Japanese or Korean set menus are also on offer. There are also lighter meals and galley snacks available, including noodles, cookies, and popcorn.

Garuda Indonesia is one of only four airlines in the world to offer an onboard chef - an actual qualified 5-star chef who prepares meals on long haul flights. Meals in Business Class are served on larger plates than what most other airlines use in Business Class. Coupled with onboard plating of most dishes, the presentation appears as if in a fine dining restaurant. On selected flights where breakfast is served, the menu even offers eggs freshly cooked on board anyway the passenger prefers – a service normally reserved for First Class. Each passenger receives an individual breadbasket, adding to the restaurant ambience.

Sample European meals include Hot Smoked Lemon Pepper Crusted Salmon, Beetroot and Blue Cheese Salad, Pistachios and Walnut Dressing and Chargrilled Victorian Beef Tenderloin, Peppercorn Sauce and Capsicum Tartlet, Roasted Hassleback Potatoes & Wild Carrots. Sample Vegan Meals include Fettuccine Pesto & Grilled Mushroom.  

Sample Indonesian meals include Indonesian favourites like Nasi Goreng Special (served with stir-fried prawn balado, buttered chicken, sunny side up egg, and sambal bajak) and Nasi Kuning Nusantara (served with braised chicken with bumbu rujak, sautéed sweet soy tempeh, and vegetables).

Garuda Indonesia Business Class offers a wide range of special meal options to meet all religious, health, hygiene, and dietary requirements (including a special menu for babies and children). It is notable how many different accommodations Garuda Indonesia is prepared to make, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, diabetic, gluten intolerant, high fibre and low calorie, low lactose, low purine, low protein, low fat, and low salt options. Special meals can be prepared at no additional cost but do require 24 hours' notice. 

While Garuda Indonesia does not serve alcohol on domestic routes in Indonesia, alcohol is available on long haul flights (excluding flights to Saudi Arabia), but the choice is modest compared to other carriers. There’s a complimentary flute of Champagne (Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose), a choice of red or white wines, and a couple of beer choices including Bintang. Garuda Indonesia deserves kudos for serving Champagne in tall Champagne flutes, and wine in long stemmed wine glasses, something only a handful of airlines do as tall glasses are challenging to transport and use in the confined environment of an aircraft cabin.

Special mention goes to Garuda’s speciality Kedondong Juice, a popular Indonesian drink made from the tropical ambarella fruit (akin to Kiwi juice) and the selection of speciality Indonesian teas and coffees.

On many aircraft, Garuda Indonesia have an espresso machine that enable the cabin crew to serve any of the standard handcrafted cafe beverages such as a cappuccino or caffe latte.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes, but feel free to let us know if there is something we missed. 

Garuda Indonesia’s customer service offering is conceptualised in the ‘Garuda Indonesia Experience’, which is based on the five senses and draws its inspiration from Indonesia's rich culture and noted hospitality. Expect the sound of traditional Indonesian music and the smell of Indonesian flowers, but also a modern commitment to safety, reliability, and punctuality.

Garuda Indonesia Business Class cabin crew are in most cases a delight, providing excellent hospitality and ensuring that each passenger has everything needed. They introduce themselves upon boarding and show a casual professionalism that is friendly but respectful and makes you feel welcome. They have a talent for anticipating passenger needs, whether for an additional glass of Champagne or a turndown service.

Audio and Video on Demand is available via the eX2 Panasonic inflight entertainment system, which features a 15" LCD touchscreen. There is a choice of movies, televisions channels (including live news channels), games and music (including a compilation of Indonesian folk music). The hardware does feel a bit dated, but the content choice is sufficient.

Wi-Fi is available to all passengers and there’s no data cap, but a time-based charging system (1 hour, 3 hours, 24 hours) is in place.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on WiFi and inflight entertainment.

Business Class travellers receive a hypoallergenic pillow with a cotton cover and a furtex-plush duvet. The amenity kit is by L’Occitane and includes Verbena-infused L’Occitane cosmetics (eau de toilette, lip balm and body lotion); a foldable brush/comb; toothbrush; toothpaste; a pair of socks; an eye mask and earplugs. Slippers are also provided.

The vast majority of routes operated by Garuda Indonesia are relatively short, with the bulk being domestic services. Boeing 737-800 and Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen are the regional workhorses, supported by widebody aircraft when extra capacity is needed.

The Boeing 737-800s each feature 8 or 12 Business Class recliners in a comfortable 2-2 configuration. The smaller Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen also feature a dedicated Business Class cabin with 12 seats in a 2-2 layout, although on these aircraft the seats are the same as in Economy Class with just a little extra legroom.

On regional international flights a full meal and beverage service is offered, while on domestic services the meal is more of light snack and alcohol is not served.

Garuda Indonesia has a Green Strategy to meet the challenges of climate change. It consists of Green Campaign (People), Green Action (Planet), and Green Responsibility (Profit) and is in accordance with IATA’s Four Pillar Strategy (Improved Technology, Effective Operations, Efficient Infrastructure, Positive Economic Measures). Garuda Indonesia has been collaborating with WWF Indonesia on the #SOSharks (Save Our Sharks) campaign, which aims to stop shark fin sales and ban their culinary promotion in the media.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.