Easter weekend in Bali by AirAsia/KLM

[ycp81]

Over the recent Good Friday and Easter long weekend, me and 5 other friends went on a Bali villa-getaway. Anticipating very high ticket prices during this holiday period, we booked our tickets way in advance in Dec last year. Our flights would be a combination of Indonesia Air Asia up to Bali on the late evening of 17th, returning on the evening of 20th on KLM. Total ticket cost was S$290 per person, which was very reasonable priced for this period! Also, the flight timings ensured we did not need to take time off work!


17 April 2014
Indonesia Air Asia
QZ 8493
Singapore (SIN) - Denpasar Bali (DPS)
A320
PK-AXJ
Budget Class

Check-in was done online a few days before departure date, and we only need to perform document verification at the AirAsia check-in desks an hour before departure. Counters were rather empty, as I guessed we were one of the last few to check in. The flight turned out to be totally full as expected.




Aircraft had arrived early and boarding was already underway when we reached the gate at D35. Caught a view of our A320 just before boarding.




Welcomed onboard by the very friendly purser at the door and located our seats at rows 20 and 21 D/E/F. Seat pitch, as expected, was tight, but not as bad as in the last few rows of the plane.




At the gate.




Inflight mags. Unfortunately, only the Indonesian version of the AirAsia inflight mag was available.




Boarding in progress.




Doors were closed right on time and we were pushed back for departure, with the safety demo performed manually. Flight time would be about 2hr20m. Taxied to Rwy20C, where we held for takeoff beside a Jetstar A330.




Departure from Rwy20C.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3KlzR9LMZk


After seatbelt signs were turned off, immigration forms were issued followed by the distribution of pre-ordered meals and buy-on-board service. The crew on this flight were all very friendly and professional, even though they would be serving a totally full flight. Their service felt totally just like any other Asian full-service carrier!




I had pre-ordered a Nasi Minyak Palembang for S$5, which came with a cup of water. This dish is only available on QZ-coded AirAsia flights.




As with most other AirAsia onboard meals, this meal was piping hot and delicious. Beef cubes were tender and rice was fragrant. Vegetables were also not overcooked.




Other buy-on-board meals, snacks and drinks are also very reasonable priced and not much different (or even cheaper) than what you would pay in the airport terminal.

After meal service was completed and trash cleared, cabin lights were dimmed for the rest of the flight. However, the crew still responded immediately to any requests. Rather impressive service I must admit.




Flying past Surabaya, I think. We were cruising at 35000ft.

[ycp81]

Shortly after passing Surabaya, the pilot announced our descent and cabin was prepared for landing. We flew over Bali while descending.




Flew out to sea before making a turn back for final approach to Rwy27. Flaps and gears down.




Landing in DPS Rwy27, almost 10min early!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx4Ystd15bs


Parked at Bali's new international terminal. We were beside a Jetstar B787!




Even though jetbridges were available, AirAsia did not use them and we were disembarked via stairs to awaiting buses, which will ferry us right to the immigration hall. Cons: Have to climb the stairs. Pros: No need to walk the long distance to the immigration hall!






Indonesia Air Asia had performed very well on this sector. Even with the full flight, the crew remained very professional and friendly throughout the flight. Arrival was earlier than scheduled and buy-on-board meals were tasty and affordable. What more can you ask for on a budget airline?

There was only a short wait at immigration as there were no arrivals before us. Our driver was already waiting for us at the arrival hall and he was amazed we had cleared immigration and customs so rapidly as the day before, he had picked up passengers on the same flight who had waited almost an hour for immigration due to many flight arrivals. Lucky us!

It was only a 15min ride late in the evening to our 3-room villa in Seminyak, Villa Narandha.




Entrance to our villa.




Our own private pool!




Dining / chill-out area.




Kitchen area.




One of the three rooms in the villa, which were rather identical.




And all rooms came with massive bathrooms!

[ycp81]

Breakfast by the pool




Some of the food we had in Bali.






Bubba Gump!




And the classic A&W Float!




We only did a bit of sightseeing as most of us had been to Bali before.

Tanah Lot






@ Kuta Beach








New shopping along Kuta.




After a relaxing 3 nights, it was time to leave Bali behind for home. The villa had allowed us late check out at 6pm, just in time to comfortably reach the airport at 630 pm to check-in. For some reasons, online check-in could not be done.

Flights departing from the International Terminal this evening. There were 7 flights departing to Singapore between 7pm to midnight!

[ycp81]

The new international terminal is a huge improvement over the old terminal, which is now converted into the domestic terminal. Spacious and airy, it felt like a scaled down version of KLIA or HKIA. Check-in area can only be accessed if you have flight bookings and proof of it.






KLM check-in desks. There were 8 desks open for check in and due to the very full flight, the check-in queue was rather long. Luckily it moved fast.




Cool LED signage at the KLM check-in area.




Boarding pass issued. We had pre-selected our seats prior.




Then it was paying of 200,000 Rupiahs of airport tax, clearing security and immigration, and into the duty free shops area. To access the gates, you would be "forced" to walk through all the overpriced shops.




The gates area.




SQ B772 9V-SRL would be departing from Gate 2 half an hour before us.




While our B777-300ER would be departing from Gate 1. PH-BVK, KLM's newest B77W named "Yellowstone National Park" delivered last Oct, would be operating our flight this evening.





20 April 2014
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KL 836
Denpasar Bali (DPS) - Singapore (SIN)
B777-300ER
PH-BVK "Yellowstone National Park"
Economy Class

The boarding gate was choc-a-block due to the full flight. However, KLM ground staff made the best out of the situation and segregated waiting pax by row numbers to enable more efficient boarding.




Boarding was called slightly less than 30min before departure, with boarding sequences enforced. Being seated near the rear of the plane, we boarded after the status pax and pax needing assistance. Was welcomed at the door by 2 crew and directed to the correct aisle. As we were seated at rows 56 and 57, we passed through the humongous economy cabin that KLM fitted on their 77Ws. Crew were stationed at the doors, greeting pax.

[ycp81]

Cabin was very clean. Settled into our seats. Seat pitch was good although with the 3-4-3 configuration, the width of the seats might be a tad tight for some.




Inflight magazine and safety card.




Out of the window, with the domestic flights parked at the old international (now domestic) terminal.




Boarding in progress.




Made a quick visit to the lavatory while on the ground. It was very clean bu only with the basic amenities.




Boarding was completed on time and doors were closed and armed. Flight time was announced as 2h15m.






Some flight info on the IFE screens during taxi.






A short taxi to Rwy9, and we were homeward bound to Singapore!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngv2KuiEico


Climbing out of DPS.




After seatbelt signs were turned off, service started with distribution of immigration forms and headsets.




Headsets.

[ycp81]

Checking out the IFE system.




Latest movies for the month.






It also have an interesting feature showing the menu on the flight. This evening on the DPS-SIN sector, the following would be served.




Beverages available on the flight.

[ycp81]

Hot drinks




There were also other detailed information on the service you can expect on your flight, but I did not read it.

Following the distribution of headphones. crew came down the aisle and gave out hot scented towels, albeit disposable ones. Well, guess no other European airlines does this in economy anymore?




I decided to settle for the recently popular cartoon movie "Frozen" for the flight.






Soon, the smell of food waved through the cabin, signalling the start of the meal service. Special meals were delivered by hand from the galleys, followed by the rest of the cabin using meal carts. As there were quite a number of special meal orders, the meal service for the rest of the cabin took a while to begin.

There would be no choice for the meal. Each meal tray also came with a warm roll with butter and a bottle of water. Interestingly I was also served the exact same meal on my previous KLM flight from DPS to SIN as well last year in April!




I also ordered a white wine to go with the meal and it was handed over to me by a very friendly crew member serving my aisle, who also told us to enjoy our meals.




Starter: Carrot and raisin salad.




Main: Lemon chicken with coriander rice and stir-fried vegetables. We all agree that this tasted delicious!




Dessert: Apricot cake. A sweet ending to the meal.




Drinking water from the Alps.




Enjoying my Sauvignon Blanc with the movie.




It was a satisfying meal! However I wished the portion could be bigger.

[ycp81]

But no, that is not the end of the meal service! During tray collection, the crew also offered hot coffee/tea as well as after-dinner liquors!!




I enjoyed an Amarula cream.



As well as a hot coffee with milk. Heavenly combination!




After all the meal trays and cups were cleared, we were nearing Singapore and starting descend soon. However, an announcement was made that duty-free service would be offered and the carts rolled out to the front of the aircraft, moving towards the rear. I browsed through the inflight magazine and decided to purchase a KLM collectible, Miffy in KLM uniform!




We were more than halfway through the descent when the duty free cart reached my row. Luckily Miffy was still available and I bought one of it. One of my friends bought another and the crew told her that she had bought the last one onboard! Sorry, SIN-AMS pax.




Duty free sales were so good that some pax were not able to purchase as we were already coming in to land over Batam. Crew had to apologize that we were landing soon when the captain announced for the crew to be seated for landing, and quickly rolled back the duty-free carts while checking that everyone were belted in and ready for arrival, all these less than 5 minutes to landing! In fact, I could see the Singapore CBD skyline by then!

Coming in over Batam. Duty-free service was forced to be halted then as were landing very shortly!




Singapore night skyline during final approach. The crew had just prepared the cabin for landing, dimmed the lights and got seated.




Urban landscape.




Had a very smooth landing on Rwy02L, with no thrust reversers used. Landed 9min early!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWRWlajpx4o


Disembarking the aircraft, with crew thanking and saying farewell to the pax.






Last view of the plane.




Immigration was painless and our bags were out with minimal waiting. Judging by the number of people at the baggage claim, I guess at least half of the passengers onboard were continuing onto Amsterdam.




To sum up the KLM experience on the DPS-SIN sector, as what my other friends who have not flown KLM prior, "Impressive!". KLM has really wowed on this short sector, providing quality service at competitive prices. However, judging by the rush the crew were in to complete the service, KLM could adjust certain procedures for this short sector, such as pre-setting headphones or distributing hot towels before takeoff. These could enable the service to be more efficient, especially with a full load like on this flight. But the KLM crew had performed very well, and even if they were stressed out, it did not show on their faces. Well done, KLM!

Your comments are very much welcomed!