Coinciding with its move to Heathrow London airport from previously operating from Gatwick airport, on Thursday, 31 March evening Indonesia’s flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia launched its non-stop London-Jakarta flights, reported Travel Daily Asia from London.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by DR. Rizal Sukma, Indonesia’s Ambassador to UK, Jubi Prasetyo, Garuda GM for the UK and Ireland and Normand Boivin, Heathrow Chief Operating Officer. Also present were Liverpool football legends Ian Rush and Gary McAllister. Garuda sponsors the Liverpool Football Club.
“We were thrilled to see our first flight from our new UK home at London Heathrow take to the skies. Being the first and only carrier to fly non-stop to Jakarta, we are now the most efficient way to reach Indonesia from the UK,” said Jubi Prasetyo, as reported in traveldailymedia.com
Using B-777-300 ER aircraft, Garuda serves the route 5 times weekly, flying London-Jakarta direct but on the return flight from Jakarta, the aircraft will transit Singapore before flying direct to Heathrow London.
Flights are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays , Saturdays and Sundays, reported Bisnis Indonesia further from Jakarta. The plane has a capacity for 314 passengers, with 8 in First class, 38 in Business class and 268 seats in Economy. At Heathrow, passengers will enjoy the SkyTeam Lounge at Terminal 4. Heathrow is hub to over 1,000 destinations around the globe which will therefore facilitate Garuda passengers to continue their journey seamlessly onto other flights beyond Europe.
While from Jakarta, passengers may explore tropical beaches and exotic culture and nature destinations in Wonderful Indonesia such as in Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Komodo, and Raja Ampat dive paradise through special Garuda Indonesia packages.
For the second year running Garuda is also among the few awarded the World 5 Star Airlines by Skytrax, besides named The World’s Best Cabin Crew.
(Sources: traveldailymedia.com and Bisnis Indonesia)
Photo: tribunnews.com
