Garuda: The Next Generation

(10/21/2011)

National carrier Garuda Indonesia has taken delivery of its 48th B737-800 NG (Next Generation) from the Boeing delivery facility in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A..

Delivered on Monday, October 17, 2011, the new aircraft was received by the airline’s CEO, Emirsyah Satar, and witnessed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Washington, D.C., Dino Pati Djalal,  together with a visiting delegation from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN).

In addition to being the 48th Boeing 737-800NG delivered to Garuda Indonesia, the new aircraft is the 123rd Boeing 737 purchased by the national carrier.

Boeing Sky Interior

The Boeing 737-800 New Generation aircraft ordered by Garuda Indonesia will all be equipped with unique ceiling color and lighting arrangements dubbed by the aircraft maker as “Boeing Sky Interior.”

The interior feature allows the pilot to control the cabin lighting to provide a range of striking sky effects reflecting different moments in the cycle of a single day. The effects are driven with energy efficient LED lighting.

The new Boeing 737-800NGs also have advance audio and visual on-demand entertainment systems installed on each chair.

A More Modern Fleet

The new aircraft is part of an overall plan for fleet modernization that include orders for 50 Boeing 737-800NG, 10 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) and Airbus A330-200.

The revitalization program, labeled “Quantum Leap” by Garuda’s management seeks to increase the airline’s armada from 84 to 154 by 2015 that will reduce the average age of any aircraft in the fleet to just 5 years.

The new Boeing 737-800NGs will be dedicated to service on domestic and regional routes, Airbus A330-300/200 for routes of intermediate length and the new Boeing 777-300ER for intercontinental services.

Garuda is also securing aircraft with seating of less than 100 for service between remote regions of Indonesia without the need for intermediate stops in Jakarta.