Garuda to launch 3rd daily KL-Jakarta flight from Feb 19

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia's national airline, Garuda Indonesia, will launch a third daily flight between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta on February 19.

The new service will operate using a Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, which features Garuda Indonesia's new "Nature's Wing" livery, signature interior and upgraded on-board services such as individual touch-screen LCD TVs with Audio-Video on Demand entertainment systems.

Its senior general manager for Asia Risnandi said as a regional hub for both business and leisure travellers, Malaysia is a "very" important destination and the one which it is strongly committed to.

"Travellers from Malaysia were top tourist arrivals to Indonesia last year, and there is clearly a need for another daily service as we expect to see a continued growth in demand.

"Whether it is for business or pleasure, three daily Garuda flights will give passengers the convenience and flexibility when planning a trip to Jakarta," he said.

Starting February 19, the new inbound service, GA816, will depart from Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 2.30pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5.35pm.

The outbound flight, GA 817, will depart KLIA at 6.40pm and arrive in Jakarta at 7.45pm.

"Passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy the airline's recently-enhanced five senses service concept known as the Garuda Indonesia Experience that now include a traditional Indonesian folk songs compilation 'Sound of Indonesia' and a specially blended 'Garuda Aromatic Fragrance' that will be used on all flights, executive lounges and Garuda offices," Risnandi said.

Garuda Indonesia was upgraded to a four-star rating airline by Skytrax in 2009, the global benchmark for airline service standards, confirming the improvement in its front-line product and service quality.

It was also named the "World's Most Improved Airline" at the Skytrax 2010 World Airline Awards in Hamburg, Germany.

In conjunction with the additional service, Garuda Indonesia will be running a sale on the KL-Jakarta route from now till February 29.