Review of Lion Mentari Airlines flight from Makassar-Celebes Island to Majalengka in Economy

Hi Hi Helloo! and welcome back to my new flight report!

This time, I'll be reporting my trip back to Bandung through one of the newest airport in Indonesia, Kertajati Airport in Majelengka, West Java. As  other member here already cover lfight from and to KJT when it was open last year, There was an issue with this new airport that located so far-far away from its majority customer that aim to serve people that from and willing to go to Bandung Metropolitan area. There was a several attempt to bring people to flight from and to here, one of them was to move all domestic jet flight (Boeing 737 and Airbus A320) from Bandung - BDO Airport to KJT, and leaving BDO with International flight and Domestic Propeller flight. 

At first month of the operation I believe it was still okay, all airlines seems okay with the attempt that has been done as an order from ministry of Transportation Republic of Indonesia, Governor of West Java Province, Angkasa Pura 2 as the airport operator, and also the BIJB as the developer and Provincial Owned Company . 

As you may find at Eric's flight reports from and to KJT: Kertajati - Surabaya QG9821 and Surabaya - Kertajati QG9820. Citilink was the first one to operate from and to KJT, but since August or September this year only Lion Air and Indonesia Air Asia that still operate from and to KJT. Lion  take advantage of its transit flight to boost more passengers, whil Indonesia Air Asia… I don't really heard that much about them in Kertajati. 

Since its been a while there is no report form and to KJT I write this report and share it here as this is also my first flight to KJT.  

UPG Makassar Airport

After spent a night in Makassar in the next afternoon we flew back to Bandung from Kertajati Airport, Majalengka. It took almost half an hour from home to the airport. Sultan Hasanuddin currently on its way for bigger terminal expansion that will be ready in 2021. 

Departure area, check in hall, and shops in the departure area. 

The Flight

Lion Air
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Registration: PK-LPU | Msn: 43211 | Age: 1.1 Years
Configuration: Y189
Origin: Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar (UPG)
Destination: Kertajati Airport, Majalengka (KJT)
Flight Date: Sunday, 22 September 2019
Flight Distance: 789 miles / 1271 km 

Boarding from gate 4, and as it was really common for Lion Air to board the aircraft by apron bus because they parked the aircraft in the remote area. B737-800's Sriwijaya Air bound to somewhere. 

Pretty A330neo. First to fly in Asia-Pacific, the A330neo first flight was for Hajj Lease Operation for FlyNas and now JT operate them for Umra Flight to Medina or Jeddah from and to several cities in Indonesia. Nowadays. more and more Muslims in Indonesia travel to Saudi Arabia for Umra trip due the waiting list for Hajj pilgrimage can took up to 15 years! 

Hello PK-LPU, another new babies came after at the same time of deliveries of MAXes of JT. 

outside view, taxi, and took off

Cabin situation after took off.

Seat back pocket reading materials to keep you entertained during flight. They sold instant cup noddle, water bottle. and other snacks. 

Lavatory visit of newer aircraft… It was quite similar with the lavatory on Maxes but slightly larger. Now, I know why people don't like this kind of sink, the water splashing everywhere! 

Cabin view of typical Lion Air and Thai Lion Air fleets as well. As you can see there was not even reached 50% load on this flight. 

Wing view. 

Descent to KJT. Only arid fields that you can see. 

Hello KJT! There is only Lion Air (JT) and Indonesia Air Asia (QZ) that still operating flight to KJT, even though several ways have been done to bring more people to here, because still majority of the passengers coming from/to Bandung Metropolitan area. While, in BDO the airport still operate lots of flight with ATR, why bother to drive 2 to 3 hours for an airport nowhere while you can fly around Java Island from BDO with ATR. At that time we landed there was 3 Lion's airplane on the ground.  

Disembark first as people seated on row 1 still enjoying their time there. I'm not, so let's head out and get a shuttle to reach Bandung. 

Thanks and bye PK-LPU! 

Walk to the arrival area 

It was really empty arrival area. There is only one baggage conveyor belt in domestic baggage reclaim area. 

Main public arrival hall, and few facilities on the ground floor.

On our way to Bandung using shuttle service. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and read my flight report! Really sorry for typo, bad grammar, etc. As I enjoyed reading/views high quality FR. So, I tried my best to deliver FR that met those standards. Hope you enjoy! Feel free to click the like button and comment down below about my flight with LNI

My other flight report:
1. Lion Air JT646 Surabaya (SUB) - Lombok (LOP)
2. Citilink Indonesia QG167 Lombok (LOP) - Jakarta (HLP)
3. Citilink Indonesia QG813 Medan (KNO) - Bandung (BDO)
4. Sriwijaya Air SJ591 Makassar (UPG) - Jakarta (CGK)
5. Indonesia Air Asia QZ257 Bangkok (DMK) to Jakarta (CGK)
6. Wings Air IW1812 Bandung (BDO) to Yogyakarta (JOG)
7. Batik Air ID6375 Yogyakarta (JOG) to Jakarta (CGK)
8. Qatar Airways QR955 Jakarta (CGK) to Doha (DOH)
9. Qatar Airways QR7 Doha (DOH) to London (LHR)
10. Garuda Indonesia GA677 Yogyakarta (JOG) to Makassar (UPG)