Garuda Indonesia has finally upgraded its Jakarta-London route to a non-stop service, although cost-cutting measures could see the airline abandon first class on its flagship Boeing 777-300ER jets which ply the route.
The SkyTeam member previously flew the Jakarta-London leg via Singapore, but as of October 31 deep-sixed that stopover to commence direct flights running three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays:
- GA86 departs Jakarta at 12.05pm to reach London Heathrow at 8pm
- GA87 leaves London at 9.55pm to arrive into Jakarta at 6.55pm the following day
Connections from Australia, however, leave much to be desired: for example, Garuda's flight from Sydney arrives at 3pm, a few hours after the flight to London has already left, so you're in for an overnight stay at Jakarta – which could mean spending several hours each way in the infamous airport-city traffic snarl.
The Boeing 777-300ER contains eight first class suites, which are the only first class offering in Garuda’s fleet.

The suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout – the middle pair have a slide-up screen for privacy if you're flying solo, but it also makes for a good companion arrangement when you're travelling with a friend.
Each suite gets a 23 inch video screen, a personal wardrobe for each passenger and ample storage space in a concealed compartment under the armrest.

The wide seats recline into a fully flat bed that's perfect for the long overnight leg from Jakarta to London.

At the not-so-pointy end of the plane are 38 ‘Executive Class’ business class seats in a staggered layout.

From tip to tail, Garuda’s Boeing 777-300ER boasts wireless Internet and live TV including English Premier League matches.
However, Nikkei Asian Review reports that Garuda could ditch first class in an effort to stem losses.
Having already withdrawn first class from flights to Tokyo, Nikkei Asian Review suggests that "while Garuda plans to keep first class on other routes, such as those between Indonesia and Europe, for the time being, the company is also considering a plan to eliminate the top-end seats entirely and use the space they occupy for more profitable business class seats instead."
J Wilmore
10 Nov, 2017 10:04 am
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FLX1
10 Nov, 2017 09:01 pm
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Grannular
10 Nov, 2017 01:19 pm
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oruspicarous
10 Nov, 2017 03:27 pm
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bloatedstoat
10 Nov, 2017 03:33 pm
The Jakarta to LGW service stopped in Amsterdam on the outward and the return.
I thought this was more to do with taking on board additional passengers in Singapore as opposed to the 777 load though, although this is pure speculation on my part.
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FLX1
10 Nov, 2017 10:39 pm
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AJW
11 Nov, 2017 09:57 am
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FLX1
10 Nov, 2017 09:46 pm
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bloatedstoat
10 Nov, 2017 03:28 pm
I thought this schedule was only a temporary arrangement though called the "Northern winter timetable"?
As for ditching First, that would be a pity, I for one believe it's a stellar product; the suites are extremely well appointed, the service exemplary and the beds very, very comfortable. The cellar is respectable and the food not too bad, a little hit and miss but I am really happy with their overall First experience and as such will lament its loss.
That said I was the only passenger up front outward and one of two on the return on my recent trip to London so if it's empty most of the time I can understand reclaiming the space for business which always seems well occupied.
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FLX1
10 Nov, 2017 11:49 pm
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loopflyer
11 Nov, 2017 02:47 pm
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JakeDrake
11 Nov, 2017 03:35 pm
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J Wilmore
11 Nov, 2017 04:10 pm
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