kempinski - 06/10/2011 11:50 GMT
Indonesia AirAsia
Flight QZ 7717
From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Jakarta Soekarno Hatta (CGK)
ETD 2040 ETA 0010
Fleet Airbus A320 PK-AXG (delivered March 2009)
Introduction
Indonesia AirAsia operates daily Jakarta-Bangkok flight departing Jakarta in the late afternoon and the plane flies back from Bangkok the same evening. As the only LCC serving this high demand route, ticket price increase very fast but still often lower than those of flag carriers (TG and GA) serving the route.
Check-in
I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport by Airport Link express train around 4pm. As I proceed to AirAsia check-in row (actually baggage drop counters), the ground staff said that check-in won't open until 3 hours before departure time. Suvarnabhumi has limited things to shop and eat in its groundside. After roaming around the terminal - but it's only 5pm - I approached baggage drop counter again and try my luck to see if check-in can be granted. The agent was kind enough and I could drop off my checked bags. I proceed to immigration (yes, bottleneck happen so fast that I was diverted to the end of other immigration area which luckily the line move manage-ably fast). Airside shops and restaurants offer much better selection - but still, prices of food are more expensive than in the city. The gate for the evening is E10 which is the furthermost gate.
Boarding
I arrived in front of gate E10 around 2010, 30 mins before scheduled departure time of 2040. But still, no ground staff there. Few other passengers starting to arrive but not until 2030 the gate opened and we were allowed to get in. The holding gate filled up almost quickly and no seat to spare. The Airbus A320 was taxiing to the gate at around 2040, our scheduled departure time. At this time, it was confirmed the plane was running late but no acknowledgment made. Boarding follow 25mins afterwards and everyone just scrambled for the gate - despite the seat was numbered already.
Going to the plane, the head flight attendant was busy with herself in the galley, similar with three other crew member; nowhere to be seen. I made way to my seat in 18A and settled in. The plane pushed back slightly after 2100 hours and made way towards the runway.
In flight
Shortly after take off, seatbelt sign turned-off and inflight service began. The crew seemed so rush to cater those who had pre-order meals. After that, another trolley for meal purchase followed as well as inflight sales. The crew managed to do all this less than 1 hour since the plane took off and shortly afterwards the cabin was dimmed all the way to Jakarta. Crew definitely looked tired - same case as evening Malaysia AirAsia flight that I took from Macau to Kuala Lumpur few months back. Service was rush, no smile, no walk around to check passenger, basically nothing. Really felt like taking evening bus which no one is expected to be disturbed.
The flight took 3,5 hours but due to poor seat pitch, it felt like being cramped in a coffin for at least half day. The condition is made worse if the person in front of you recline his/her seat, your knee would definitely scream from numbness! Of course since it was an evening flight, everyone expected him/herself to sleep in the most comfortable position as possible and reclining the already tight seat space is pretty much a big issue at AirAsia.
Arrival
Due to late departure, the flight arrived 30mins after midnight (20mins behind schedule). However, the worst has yet to come. We were brought to the remote parking where the aircraft would spend the night, has to wait longer for the airbridge to come, be bussed to the terminal, climbed up to arrival section, and queued for immigration. The pain did not end there as baggage handlers at Jakarta Soekarno Hatta delayed the baggage delivery even longer with the first baggage appeared on the belt some 20mins after passengers buzzing the carousel area. This kind of performance from baggage handler was not acceptable at all as this flight was the last to arrive for the day. I made my way out from the terminal at quarter past one and not impressed at all.
Verdict
Evening flight, late arrival and departure, tired crew, non-existence service, uncomfortable seat, walk from airplane to terminal upon arrival, and delayed baggage delivery summed up how disastrous this daily flight of Indonesia AirAsia. On the note for improvement; there are definitely lots to be done!
