GARUDA: Returns to Sydney with more Bali and Jakarta bound flights

Currently, If you want to head to Bali out of Sydney, then you either have to do it indirectly, say via Singapore, or you need to endure a direct flight on a Boeing 737 with either Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Australia, Malindo Air or Batik Air.

Flying on a 737 is not the worst thing in the world, until it comes to your return flight which almost certainly will be a red-eye, and lack of sleep means a cranky passenger arrival back in Sydney. And with minimal recline on the 737, whether you are travelling in business or economy, it doesn’t make much difference.

Until now …

Garuda back to direct flying to Bali and Jakarta

Garuda will recommence servicing Sydney, Melbourne, Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) from April Fools Day 2023.

Melbourne Service

From 1 April, Garuda will be servicing Bali (Denpasar) from Melbourne twice a week (Fri & Sat 08:00), and Jakarta three times a week (Tues, Thurs & Sunday 08:00). Flights out of Denpasar (Bali) are at 11pm (Thu & Fri) and out of Jakarta at 21:15 (Mon, Wed & Sat).

Flights ramp up come 3 July, with the Melbourne service to Denpasar moving to three times a week (addition of Monday) and to Jakarta four times a week (addition of Wednesday).

Sydney Service

From 1 April, Garuda will be servicing Bali (Denpasar) from Sydney three times a week (Mon, Fri & Sat 10:05), and Jakarta four times a week (Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sunday 11:45). Flights out of Denpasar (Bali) are at 23:40 (Wed, Thu & Sat) and out of Jakarta at 22:55 (Tues, Thurs & Fri).

Again, flights ramp up this time from 27 June, with the Sydney service to Denpasar moving to four times a week (addition of Saturday) and to Jakarta four times a week (addition of Sunday).

2PAXfly Takeout

I love Bali, but my only issue is those horrid red-eye flights back to Sydney or Melbourne. At 6-ish hours, there is never enough time to have a decent kip, even if you go to sleep directly after the plane takes off. However there are two things that make these trips more bareable, and that these flights are mainly on A330-300s (Jakarta is serviced sometimes by a Boeing 777-300). These widebodies have international business class seats which convert to flat beds.

If you want to travel to Bali in superior style and comfort, then I would say Garuda A330 business class over Qantas/Jetstar/Virgin B737s, whatever class, anytime. Or you could try as I have, economy over on a daytime flight, and in Business Class on the red-eye on the way home.