Bali flights

[bplgaz]

Planning a honeymoon for next year and am thinking about Lombok.
Know I can get there on Silk Air from SIN, but want to fly on to DPS.
I know three carriers operate the route, Merpati, Wings Air and PT.
Which are to be trusted?
I've heard some bad things about Merpati, particularly on this route.
Wings Air is part of Lion Air isn't it and they fly the Dash 8 not a clapped out Fokker.
Any advice would be handy!
Also, When are SQ likely to release LHR-SIN seats for October 09.
Which flights are likely to be A380 ops by then?

[Rush2112]

Merpati probably best of the worst.

[fendant]

Don't fly Merpati! Drive! It's safer!


Frank

[ZFT]

Um!! I flew DPS - AMQ on a clapped out, leaking and canvas showing Merpati F27. (About as sensible as another decision flying on a Dorak Mil 8 through Turkish mountains.) Problem was, the ferry to Lombok was holed and out of action for months.

Rush is correct though. There are worse.

However, Lombok is great and a trip to the Gilly's a must.

[bplgaz]

Almost makes it worth flying back to SIN and back out on SQ!!!
Anyone flown with Wings?

Is the ferry an option, or equally dodgy?

Wonder if Merpati can be any worse than Tuninter?
Remember a fun filled couple of flights with them, one on the ATR which ended up in the Med and the other on a clapped out 737-200.
Only experience of small far east carriers is Siem Reap Air...excellent in all ways

[ZFT]

Siem Reap Airways is in reality Bangkok Airways.

[Salusa]

Dont fly any domestic Indo airline unless you have no choice. Head back to S'pore and fly back.

Garuda are ok if they fly the route but bear in mind the below statement.

I am presuming you will have UK based travel insurance? You will find that if anything does happen chances are your insurance will be voided due to EU ban on PK registered aircraft.

This would apply even if flying within Indonesia.

[Rush2112]

You're probably better off on the ferry, provided you can swim...

At the end of the day, you pays your money and you takes your chances. I've flown Merpati, Garuda dozens of times, Mandala, and Sempati back in the dim and distant, and apart from delays and cancellations, not had a problem (looks anxiously for some wood to touch!)

[bplgaz]

Cheers for the advice!
I would be happy to fly...but if the wife to be got wind of the EU ban and the problems in Indonesia, I could be in for a tricky honeymoon.
Might just plump for the whole time in Bali...

[Rush2112]

Lombok is actually a better bet IMHO, more interesting in some ways, however, as with many things in Indonesia, needs money investing in it. You could look at the Oberoi, I guess that's still OK.

Otherwise Bali is never going to be a bad call.