Flight Review: Indonesia AirAsia QZ263 from Singapore to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Terminal 2F) by Airbus A320-200 (GoPro Trial)

Indonesia AirAsia QZ263 is the first AirAsia flight of the day to Jakarta at a convenient morning departure time of 10.20am. Unfortunately, this is also the only daytime departure to Jakarta, so I pretty much have just one option to fly with them if I depart in the day. For this Jakarta trip, I will be trying out using my new GoPro HERO7 White to see how good it functions for an almost full trip with flights and trains.

Heading to the FAST Check-in kiosk to get my boarding pass.

My boarding pass for my Indonesia AirAsia QZ263 flight from Singapore to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Terminal 2F).

Heading through the duty-free shops walkthrough after immigration and security clearance.

The GoPro effect seems to make the walk look even longer.

Heading out to the usual transit area.

Seems like the GoPro doesn’t do well for walking shots.

Heading to Gate G1.

Boarding my flight to Jakarta at Gate G1.

Heading through the Automated Boarding Gates.

PK-AXS will be flying me from Singapore to Jakarta.

Heading down the ramp to the aerobridge.

Boarding the aircraft via the aerobridge. The fisheye effect is pretty wide, so much so that it’s showing my phone when snapping this photo.

Walking through the cabin to my seat.

The legroom on board Indonesia AirAsia’s Airbus A320-200.

The view from my eyes of the space around me. My DSLR will not be able to capture such a picture with the long lens and focusing points which are too close.

I had jumped to an empty row of seats as the cabin doors were closed behind me after I boarded.

The view of the aircraft from my seat.

Filling up the Indonesian Customs Declaration Form as handed out by the crew.

A short while later, my pre-booked meal was served. I ordered the Thai Basil Chicken with Rice for S$4, despite going to Indonesia.

The Thai Basil Chicken with Rice was served neatly with rice in the main meal box, and the Basil Chicken in a separate foil container with a foil lid.

Opening the foil lid, it reveals the oily goodness of the Thai Basil Chicken.

The Thai Basil Chicken with Rice tasted really good, in fact, it’s better than some I have had in Thailand itself. The chicken chunks were well spiced, probably simmered for a long time together with the sauce, and there was enough sauce to go along with the rice, as compared to typical dry airline rice meals.

As I was still hungry since I have not had breakfast and I had limited time for lunch, I ordered a Mie Ayam Jamur from the on board discount menu. This costs Rp.45,000, including a bottle of Aqua mineral water.

The Mie Ayam Jamur was disappointing as it was dry like typical airline food, not like what’s usually on the Santan menu. The noodles were also clumped together, and the sauce from the chicken didn’t help.

Heading to the toilet to test the GoPro in tight spaces. It works surprisingly well.

Spreading out on my row of 3 seats.

The view of the wing from my seat. Despite “pasting” the GoPro against the window, the side of the window is still visible due to the fisheye effect.

The view of the cabin from my seat.

Descending into Jakarta.

The flight landed at 11.00am – 15 minutes early.

Taxiing to Terminal 2F.

Hmm, looks like a weird position to stop in?

Heading out of the plane.

Ah, I knew it. It’s a remote stand after all.

Heading down the stairs to the tarmac.

Looking back at PK-AXS from the tarmac. Despite being at a remote stand, only 1 staircase is used. Hmm.

Walking on the tarmac to the terminal.

Heading into the terminal via the bus drop off bay.

Walking through one of the branches of Terminal 2F.

Continuing down the main spine to immigration.

Yup, the GoPro does not do well for walking shots.

Heading out through the baggage reclaim area after immigration and before customs.

Heading out to the public area after customs.

Here, I continued on to catch the Skytrain to the Airport Railway Station to catch the Railink into the city.

Overall, another pleasant trip with Indonesia AirAsia, and some experience in knowing what a GoPro is capable of (and not) in-flight. Perhaps the GoPro may not be suitable for rarer trips, and only for these short frequent hops so that I don’t lose out any potential special findings.