I've been looking into several carriers to get to JKT from the States, perhaps others have good options as well. I prefer to pay a bit more to get the miles, plus, I discovered that some of the discount airlines do not offer, or make it very difficult, to get refunds or changes on many fares I purchased for the last trip.

IMO, some noteworthy options.

EVA AIR, LA-TAIPEI (13+hrs), TAIPEI-JKT (5+hrs). 747 all the way. The Deluxe class is the way to go and you get CO miles to TAIPEI. Very good about refunds, changes.

KOREAN AIR. LA-ICN (13+HRS, 747), SEL-JKT (6.5 hrs, A330). You get CO miles as KA is a full SKY Team member.

SINGAPORE AIR LA-SIA (18+HRS NON-STOP A340, or 747 THRU TOKYO), SIA-JKT (1.5 HRS, B-777). Expensive, but an awesome option. Easily one of the best airline I've flown. You get UA miles. SIA airlines also uses SILK AIR (A321) to fly directly SIA-SURABYA.

NWA: LA-TOKYO (12 HRS 747), TOKYO-SINGAPORE (6-7 HRS, 747), SINGAPORE-JKT you gotta find yourself(1.5 HOURS). YOU get CO miles.

UNITED: LA-TOKYO (12 HOURS, 747 or 777), TOKYO-SINGAPORE (6-7 HOURS, 747 or 777), SINGAPORE-JKT you gotta find yourself (1.5 HOURS).

ROYAL GARUDA IS THE NATIONAL INDONESIAN AIRLINE but they had some safety issues in the past.

Any other decent routes/prices to JKT, i.e. American or Quantas or China Airlines?





(Message edited by merlin on January 05, 2006)

Here is a Cathay Pacific option with a total transit time of 22 hours and a great late night departure afternoon arrival

Cathay Pacific Airways 00:15 (7 Jan) Los Angeles International Apt Flight number - CX 881 07:45 (8 Jan) Hong Kong International Apt Aircraft type - 744 Change at Hong Kong International Apt
Cathay Pacific Airways 09:30 (8 Jan) Hong Kong International Apt Flight number - CX 777 13:15 (8 Jan) Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Apt Aircraft type - 343
22hrs Total Travel Time

China Airlines has a late night departure and early afternoon arrival with a transit time of 25 hours.

China Airlines 21:15 (7 Jan) Los Angeles International Apt Flight number - CI 007
06:20 (9 Jan) Taipei Chiang Kai Shek Intl Apt Aircraft type - 744 Change at Taipei Chiang Kai Shek Intl Apt
China Airlines 09:20 (9 Jan) Taipei Chiang Kai Shek Intl Apt Flight number - CI 677 13:35 (9 Jan) Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Apt Aircraft type - AB6
25hrs 20mins Total Travel Time


Air India does this route via Singapore

Air India 23:25 (7 Jan) Los Angeles International Apt Flight number - AI 8029
11:50 (9 Jan) Singapore Changi Apt Aircraft type - 772 Change at Singapore Changi Apt
Air India 15:50 (9 Jan) Singapore Changi Apt Flight number - AI 472 16:25 (9 Jan) Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Apt Aircraft type - 310
26hrs Total Travel Time

You can also you Malaysia Airlines through KL (Supposed to be as good if not better than SIA and probably much cheaper)

Malaysia Airlines 23:35 (7 Jan) Los Angeles International Apt Flight number - MH 95 12:15 (9 Jan) Kuala Lumpur International Airport Aircraft type - 744 Change at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Malaysia Airlines 13:35 (9 Jan) Kuala Lumpur International Airport Flight number - MH 721 14:35 (9 Jan) Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Apt Aircraft type - 332
24hrs Total Travel Time

I got this info in less than a minute using this link http://timetables.oag.com/CGK/

I also know that you can use Thai Airways (Bangkok stopover!), China Southern, and PAL (Manila Stopover - Although you will have to go Manila-SIN-CGK)

I did a quick look at return flights and I see they are a bit shorted in the 18-21 hour time frame.

MX,
Thanks for posting the timetables link. Very useful

CAthay PAcific also offers the Asia PAss which lets you visit up to 18 cities in 21 days for 1200 dollars! (this is out of LAX or SFO) You go LAX or SFO-Hong kong-Jakarta. You can also go LAX/SFO-HK- BKK. The trip to HK is about 15 hours. from HK to Jakarta is about 5 and a half hours and for HK-BKK is about 2 and a half hours. The only drawback is that you have to go back to HK each time as this is the hub for Cathay PAcific. Still a great value and you can also hit Bali, Tokyo, Soeul,Bejing, Singapore, and many more if you have time. Mojo

The Asia pass deal has been discussed several times in the past, and while IMO it was an iffy deal before (due to the "returning to the hub" crap you mentioned and no frequent flyer miles being awarded), it's a BAD deal now considering all the new low-cost budget airlines flying one way out of almost every Asian hub. Much better idea to book your trans-pacific ticket to the place you plan on spending the most time on your trip (and getting a minimum of 15,000 frequent flyer miles in the process -- close to a free Inter-Asia ticket on several airlines), and then checking out Air Asia, Tiger Air, Jetstar (and now, apparently Cebu Pacific) for onward trips from there. 1-way tickets to Bali, for example, range from 30-100 bucks on Air Asia or Jetstar and a slew of Indo domestic airlines from Singapore and Jakarta.

And, of course, there's the stopover option for someone looking for a convenient way to get a multiple destination long-haul ticket. Some airlines offer a stopover in their hub for as little as 50 bucks before you head to your other planned destination.

Does anyone know, (with respect to Merlin's travel info. at the top of this thread) what is the best way to go to Jakarta from Los Angeles?

I don't really mind so much about changing planes, as I'm more worried about the expense of getting there.

If I were to say, to go in March, what kind of price am I looking at?

Master Bates.

Right now Masterbates the prices are around $1,400-1,800 not including tax. Remember that the taxi ride to your hotel near Block M should also run you around $75 each way.

Thanks for the fast response, but holy shit! $75?

Master B, IMO, you should check out PAL, EVA AIR & Korean Air first (1 stop) and pricing is usually, but not always, more reasonable than other airlines. Plus, these airlines usually have consolidators that run specials in the Travel Sections of your Sunday paper. Also, if you don't mind more stopovers, try to get into SINGAPORE/BKK which may be cheaper b/c of more competition, and then fly ValueAir or another discounter to JKT. Good luck.

Masterbates-



(I think someone is pulling your leg)

I'm finding it consistently cheapest (and fun) to fly into Bangkok. Lately I'm averaging $850 into Bangkok and ~$200 more hopping around to Indonesia and such on AirAsia, Tiger, Indonesian Death Trap Airlines® et al. Still cheaper than flying strait into Jakarta and fits in a few extra stops as well.

So does anyone actually expect MasterBates to get on a plane to anywhere? Last I heard he was off to Gilligans, er, I mean Iligan Isle with the goofy fucker claiming he fucked menstruating virgin LBFMs (or Future LBFMs) all day long.

Personally I think he may get down to TJ if the traffic isn't too tough but I wouldn't expect MasterBates on the other side of the International Date Line anytime soon

No, but a guy can fantasize.

Haha, I am certainly not going to vote against Cat. Plus, why would you take your first trip to a place like Jakarta where basically the girls (and the guys) don't really speak English, there are no organized mongering areas, and the tourist infrastructure is so poor. In the PI and Thailand, most of these obstacles are not present, thus maximizing the chances of a first time SEA monger to have a great first trip. Even experienced SEA travellers (Like Uncle Sponge Bob) get culture shocked in Jakarta.

You might as well give Masterbates directions to get to Jakarta by bus. He's just as likely to get there that way.

I bought a tix SIN-CGK/Jakarta R/T for $183 Sin dollar on the Lufthansa web site. Which worked for me, as I got Star Alliance miles/United for flying it.

You must specify that you're in SIN, and give a SIN address. I just put in my SIN hotel address.

Ha ha ha ha !!!! I just happed to check this thread by chance, but before I say anything further, hold that thought there Catacony, as you may eat those words, sir!

Yes, the one and only TJ mongering "Master" has finally, (or rather, WILL finally) take the plunge into the land of culture shock and heavy-set Indonesian women. English language be damned, I say. What's a slight language barrier when there's the possibility of a little "heavy" Indonesian lovin' thrown in?

And Catacony, to answer any curiosity you may have about my planned Philippine sex travel excursion, not that I want to air out my dirty laundry on this forum, but my (ex) good buddy, Hugh G. Reckshin and I had a huge falling out just prior to me booking a flight with him, about certain issues which are not revelant to this discussion.

However, he's now happily basking in the sun with those cute little spinners all by himself. (I hope) But I didn't go with him, for various reasons which I won't go into. So basically, I told him to go "shove it," on some other concerns which are somewhat private between friends.

And as for my upcoming Indonesian trip, yes, thanks to all the advice, questions commentary, I have booked a flight to Jakarta on March 10th, going by myself, while my ex-TJ trip buddy Hugh G. Reckshin is once again in the Philippines.

Anyway, Branquinho, no bus needed on this upcoming tour, as I am flying Cathay Pacific Airlines, and will be staying for almost three weeks in Jakarta. Should make a change from TJ.

And, I_Am_Sancho: What amazes me is, you seem to get to more SEA mongering destinations than Merlin. What gives? are you guys made of money or something? I remember once running into you at the Chicago Club in TJ where I was drinking and sharing sex stories with a bunch of SEA mongers.

Anyway, this upcoming Jakarta trip should make an interesting anticipated trip report.

Master Bates.

So what part of Jakarta are you staying at and which hotel? You are going to be absolutely lost IF you in fact make it there.

More power to you, Masterbates! I would have recommended any of a number of other locales for a first foray outside of Mexico, where the action is more "point and click" and language is less of an issue. But, what the hell. You'll earn your CH stripes if you can cope with Jakarta.

Blok M will never be the same!

So...when are you going?

If you are looking for heavy-set women, I think you'll be severely disappointed in Indonesia. While there is an abundance of what I call "thick" girls, I've seen very few that I would call heavy-set, overweight, etc. Then again, maybe it's just a matter of semantics and how we all define terms.

Bwana Dik: I leave on March 8th.

Murasaki: Once again, I beg to differ sir. I've done my homework. Or rather, I've researched the Internet, and there seems to be an overabundance of weight-challenged Indonesian women who will gladly pose in the buff for me when I take my camera along!

Master Bates.

An overabundance? Well I stand corrected. How silly of me to think that my personal experience of actually visiting the country could possibly compete with the accuracy of internet research. I should have my eyes checked if the internet claims that the country is overflowing with Ahab's nemesis. Maybe all those girls at Travel and Stadium were tubs of lard and I was just fooling myself!

Masterbates....there will be some drama in your life before March 10 so you can't make it to Jakarta. Something with one of your make believe friends will come up that will force you to cancel!

MB I did see what might possibly be your dream girl on Soi 6 in Pattaya a couple of weeks ago. Thai woman, had to be 350 lbs at least. No joking. I can't say I have ever personally had the pleasure but I imagine she would have to have some kind of extra special super advanced skills and attitude to remain competitive against her much more poorly fed coworkers. I'd bet for a guy who was into that, she would put on the greatest Thai girl lovin' ever imagined.

While I may complain they are a little fat by my standards, Indo chicks as a rule are pretty scrawny by your standards.

And, not that I think it's a good thing. But I still think AC has the greatest number of fat chicks per capita in Asia.

I hope MB you are not going to search out a certain big titty girl I posted pics of and you were a little obsessed over. That returned to the kampong after the one trip I saw her. I implore you not to print out her photo, and show it to people to help you find her.

If you want heavy set Indo girls, you should check out the disco geared for Arab customers; Tiga Kuda (Three horses) Disco, Hotel Menteng II, Jalan Cikin Raya.

No, Monger X, out of respect to your privacy (and hers) I will not seek her out. Although, I vaguely remember some big breasted girl in the pic gallery from (I think) Indonesia.

But that's not why I'm going. I'm a little burned out with the whole TJ (Mexico) scene. I need to expand my horizon's, so to speak. I need to get out more. And from what I've heard, or rather, what I've read here on the board, there's a hell-of-lotta lovin' in Indo and Thai girls who are too embarrassed to have their oversized bodies pose in front of a camera lense.

Master Bates.

If you can plan your trip early, the return fares from SIN-JKT are awesome. I booked 2 months before departure and snagged a rate of US$70. Awesome.