BootsnAll's Travel Community

Anyone have some up to date info on domestic airline safety in Indonesia.

I have had some narrow escapes in the past particularly in the rainy season. I will be doing a few domestic flights end of December through January and would rather be safe than cheap.

I have read some rather worrying reports elsewhere. For example Indonesia officially (FAA) has the worst safety record for the whole of Asia!

BTW I will be based Bali flying back and forth to Semarang, Yogya, Surabaya and Jakarta.

Further to last post, here is a link to some of the information mentioned before:

http://forum.indahnesia.com/topic/4077/0/using_tape_to_repair_an_airplane.php

Please don't let this put you off! Air travel is comparatively very safe. Indonesia needs tourism.

Safe trip

Old Teak

Hey,
We are traveling Dec-Jan, as well from Bali to Yogy, Surabaya and back. It was rather unsettling to see photos of Lion Air piled into a graveyard. And the pics of airline personel applying tape to the wing. I forget which airline that was. at any rate, the flights are quick and I just can't imagine 12 hours by road.

Hi Wetsandlover,

Flying is still much safer than a train or bus. The pics were of a Lion Air flight. I used to be a pilot (BA) and speed tape is the least of your worries, this is pretty safe. I get worried when pilots phone me asking for a fax with current weather conditions because they have no radar.

Please when flying in Indo use the national carriers - they may be a few quid more expensive but they are safer.

I missed a flight to Solo a few years ago (2002?) due to Bali Belly, Imagine my shock when lying in bed watching the news I saw that very flight in flames after aquaplaning off the end of the runway!

Old Teak,
I was thinking of Garuda Airlines for most inter-Indo travel. Yes, just a bit more in price. I also believe air travel is less dangerous than most bus, train travel. I am really not so worried. I have done too much travel to get caught in that worry game. Gotta tell ya, flying into to Cusco (Peru) was the most exciting flight ever, weaving through the Andes like that, whoa. With weather even, those guys are good.
Thanks for the update,
Diana (wetsandlover)

it is true that there are distinct differences between the safety of different indonesian domestic airlines - garuda being absolutely fine. A friend of mine who is studying to be an aircraft engineer was doing an internship with garuda for 6 months, he pointed out that while there has been a sharp increase in low cost carriers over the last frew years, there has been no corresponding increase in trained pilots, mechanics, spare part production etc - which i guess is a valid point.
There's also air asia, if you want to go a bit cheaper than garuda - although I hate air asia with a passion for their chronic delays and infuriating customer service (aargh) they are supposed to be reliable in term of safety.
Not to be a scare-mongerer at all - i fly a lot in indonesia, and have never been scared, just pointing out what i have been told. Lion air does crash on average more than once a year. Which is a lot.

Customer service! Don't get me started

Flying back from Jakarta to Bali - arrived a bit early (the driver thought he was Michael Schumaker). Paid extra to get on an early flight. This flight was then delayed. I watched the flight I should have been on take off from the bar. Any chance of a refund on the premium I had paid? Not for a bule! They did pay my wife back but she is Indonesian.

As an ex pilot I have seen some shocking things on Indo flights. Once a year downs from Lion Air isn't too much it is unacceptable. Cheap tickets are all well and good but you get what you pay for in life (normally!)

I am out in the iffy season (December - January). Drop me an e-mail if you want to hook up