Lion Air ✈️ 🦁 🌍 Inflight Experience
Considering a flight with Lion Air? This Indonesian airline offers budget-friendly options and a range of inflight services, but how about the consistency of the experience? From seat comfort to customer service, it’s worth examining if Lion Air truly meets expectations.
Dive into our personal review to uncover what you can expect from your flight experience.
Highlights
- Why we Chose Lion Air
- Who are Lion Air?
- Booking our Lion Air Flight
- Lion Air Inflight Service
- Useful Accessories for the Plane
- Airlines, Airports & Transfers
- The World’s Best Airlines
- Lufthansa Longhaul Experience
- Cathay Pacific Economy Class
- A Complete Indonesia Itinerary
Why we Chose Lion Air
Our 3-week trip through Java to Karimunjawa included a short local flight from the Indonesian capital – Jakarta, to Semarang in central Java.
So, on arrival in Jakarta, we were heading straight out again without delay. We had booked a domestic flight with the carrier Lion Air to take us to Semarang. Although Lion Air is a budget airline, we were hoping that our inflight experience would be a painless one.
Who are Lion Air?
Lion Air is the country’s largest privately run airline, the second largest low-cost airline in Southeast Asia (after AirAsia) and the largest airline in Indonesia (including Garuda).
As a key player in the budget airline industry, Lion Air has made its mark by offering affordable flights across Southeast Asia and beyond. Known for its extensive route network and cost-effective fares, this airline has both its pros and cons, which are worth exploring if you’re considering them for your next journey.
Lion Air is a popular budget airline. So popular, in fact, that they have a sub-terminal at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Terminal 1C) dedicated to their own flights.
Travelers appreciate the airline’s affordability and route network, making Lion Air a good choice for budget-conscious customers.
Departure Gate, Jakarta
Their terminal and departure lounge is beautifully laid out and decorated in traditional Indonesian style on the ground floor. On all sides are windows with views over luxuriant, well maintained gardens.
Lion Air includes 2 subsidiaries and regional arms – Batik Air and Wings Air, and as of 2024 serves a total of 47 destinations: 39 domestic and 8 international.
The airline has been criticized for poor operational management in areas such as scheduling and safety, although steps have been taken to improve its safety.
Gardens surrounding the terminal
The Lion Air Fleet
Lion Air boasts a modern and diverse fleet. The airline primarily operates Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, which are known for their reliability and fuel efficiency.
This fleet allows Lion Air to offer competitive fares while maintaining a high standard of safety.
Route Network
With an extensive route network, Lion Air connects travelers to destinations across Southeast Asia, including popular spots like Bali, Jakarta, and Singapore. The airline’s reach extends to major cities and remote areas, making it a convenient choice for both leisure and business travelers.
Lion Air Terminal – Plush Interiors
Booking Our Flight
We had booked our flight several weeks previously, using the Indonesian Tiket.com website. We paid a total of IDR 317,000 (€22) per person, and received our eTickets by email. Our flight included a check-in luggage allowance of 20 kg per person, and a carry-on baggage allowance of 7 kg.
Since our backpacks weighed only around 7.5 kg each (we believe in travelling light), we just used our carry-on allowance.
Incidentally, our online booking experience with Tiket.com was smooth and flawless. We also used them later to book our return train tickets from Semarang to Jakarta.
The leg-room beats many big airlines by a mile
Lion Air Inflight Service
Our short one-hour flight was comfortable and on time, with inflight snacks available for purchase.
Although Lion Air don’t score highly in global domestic airline ratings, our experience was definitely a positive one.
… much more positive than what was about to happen to us shortly after our arrival in Semarang: “Honey, the ATM just ate my card!”
If you like our Lion Air inflight experience, check out our Central Java Travel Plan. You may also like:
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