Best Airlines in Indonesia

Indonesia has the fastest-growing aviation industry in the world after China, and it is expected to become the world’s sixth-largest aviation market by 2034. The country’s air transport industry is estimated to support US$8.2 billion of GDP and 2.6 million jobs.

Are you dreaming of exploring the stunning wonders of Indonesia? From the magnificent Borobudur Temple to the idyllic Gili Islands, there’s no shortage of breathtaking sights to behold in this tropical paradise. The bustling streets of Jakarta or the serene beaches of Bali! Whether you’re exploring the cultural treasures of Yogyakarta or the natural wonders of Mount Bromo, Indonesia’s vibrant aviation industry offers a variety of options to suit your needs. So, choose your airline, pack your bags, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Indonesia!

Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia is the national flag carrier of Indonesia and one of the oldest airlines in Southeast Asia. It was founded in 1949.

Aircraft History – Garuda Indonesia started with old planes called Douglas DC-3. In the 1950s, they got newer planes like Convair 340 and Lockheed L-188 Electra. In the 1960s, they got a Boeing 707, which was a big deal in Asia.

In the 1970s, Garuda Indonesia started flying to other countries and got bigger planes like Douglas DC-10 and Airbus A300. In the 1980s, they used Boeing 747, which was the biggest passenger plane back then.

In the 1990s, they got more modern planes like Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330. In the 2000s, they flew with Boeing 777 and Airbus A380, which was the world’s largest commercial plane.

Fleet Details – 10 Airbus A330-300, 6 Airbus A380-800, 73 Boeing 737-800 and 16 Boeing 777-300ER.

Route Information – It flies to foreign cities like Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Dammam, Dili Timor- Leste, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, London, Melbourne, Nagoya, Osaka, Perth, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. It travels to domestic destinations like Banda Aceh, Batam, Bengkulu, Denpasar, Jakarta, Jambi, Jayapura, Kendari, Kupang, Lombok, Makassar, Malang, Manado, Manokwari, Mataram, Medan, Padang, Palembang, Palu, Pangkal Pinang, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, Samarinda, Semarang, Sibolga, Solo/Surakarta, Sorong, Tanjung Karang/Bandar Lampung, Tanjung Pandan/Belitung Island and Tanjung Pinang/Bintan Island.

Batik Air

Batik Air is a full-service airline that is a subsidiary of Lion Air Group. The airline was founded in 2013.

Aircraft History – Batik Air began operations with a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. In 2014, the airline began to operate the Airbus A320. In 2015, Batik Air began to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8, but this aircraft type was grounded in 2019 following two fatal accidents.

Fleet – 50 Airbus A320-200 and 48 Boeing 737-800

Route Information – It flies to international destinations like Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Hong Kong, Kunming, Chennai and Jeddah.

Its domestic destinations include Banda Aceh, Batam, Bengkulu, Denpasar Bali, Gorontalo, Jakarta Halim Perdana Kusuma, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Jambi, Jayapura, Kendari, Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kupang, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Lubuk Linggau, Makassar, Malang, Manado, Manokwari, Mataram, Medan Kuala Namu, Merauke, Padang, Palangkaraya, Palembang, Palu, Pangkal Pinang, Pekanbaru, Pontianak, Samarinda, Semarang, Silangit, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Solo/Surakarta Adisumarmo International Airport (SOC), Sorong and Surabaya

Citilink

Citilink Airlines is a low-cost airline based in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was established in 2001.

Flight History – Citilink Airlines started its operations on July 16, 2001, with a maiden flight from Jakarta to Surabaya. Since then, it has expanded its operations to various domestic and international destinations.

Fleet Details – ATR 42/72 [5], A320 [36], A320neo [5], A330 [1], B737 [1] and B737-500 [1].

Route Information – It flies to foreign destinations like Dili, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perth, Singapore and Kunming. In domestic it covers Ambon, Maluku , Balikpapan , Banda Aceh , Bandung , Banjarmasin , Banyuwangi , Batam , Bengkulu , Denpasar , Gunungsitoli , Jakarta, Jambi City , Jayapura , Kendari , Kupang , Labuan Bajo , Makassar , Malang , Manado , Medan , Padang , Palangkaraya , Palembang , Palu , Pangkal Pinang , Pekanbaru , Pontianak , Praya, Lombok , Samarinda AAP , Semarang , Sibolga , Siborong-Borong , Solo , Surabaya , Surakarta, Tambolaka , Tana Toraja , Tanjung Pandan , Tanjung Pinang , Tanjung Redeb , Tarakan and Yogyakarta.

Lion Air

Lion Air is an Indonesian low-cost airline based in Jakarta. It is a good choice for travelers looking for a low-cost and convenient way to travel in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Flight History – Lion Air was legally established on November 15, 1999, and began operating on June 30, 2000, by flying from Jakarta to Pontianak using two Boeing 737-200 aircraft.

Fleet Details:

Aircraft Type	Current Fleet Size	Average Age
Boeing 737	75	11.7
Boeing 737-800	23	9.9
Boeing 737-900ER	49	12.8
Airbus A330	11	5.5
Airbus A330-300	6	8.2
Airbus A330-900	5	3.3

Route Information – Lion Air operates flights to various domestic and international destinations . Some of the domestic destinations include Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, and Yogyakarta . The airline also operates flights to various international destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perth, Dili, and Kunming.

Conclusion

For travelers on a budget, Lion Air offers affordable fares without compromising on safety or convenience. With a wide network of destinations and a diverse fleet, Lion Air provides an excellent option for those looking to explore Indonesia without breaking the bank.

If airline reputation and extensive routes are your priorities, Batik Air and Citilink are worth considering. As subsidiaries of Lion Air Group, these airlines benefit from the parent company’s established reputation and offer a wide range of domestic and international destinations to choose from.

The ideal airline for you will ultimately rely on your personal priorities and preferences. Indonesia’s aviation sector provides a range of choices to meet the demands of every visitor, regardless of their priorities whether it comes to style, comfort, affordability, service, or lengthy flights. Thus, carefully analyze your options and select the airline that best suits your needs and travel preferences. Happy journeys!