Getting from Makassar to Sorong

[Hintermann]

I am going to Raja Ampat next year and the flightplan is sorted out from London via Jakarta to Makassar. I only need to plan and book the local flight from Makassar (UPG) to Sorong. There appear to be a few airlines doing this route but I was recommended Express Air since they flew Boeing 737s daily between the two cities. But all of a sudden Express Air seems to have gone very quiet and I wonder if they have gone into receivership or something.

Of the others, people say that SriWijaya Airlines is reliable but warned be against Merpati Nusantara. Also, there is talk about Garuda themselves starting flights in this route.

Do people have any opinions or ideas about this? I plan to arrive in Sorong the day before the liveaboard sails out to be on the safe side.

 

[jcclink]

I fly from Jakarta to Manado via Makassar on Garuda. They have an early morning flight that shows as a direct flight to Manado but stops in Makassar. Same plane. Connect with Wings (Lion Air) flight from Manado to Sorong. May have to overnight in Manado. Departure time of the Wings flight seems to vary.

Lion currently shows a 1425 dep on M/W/F. The Garuda flight arrives about 1130. May work for you.

 

[Hintermann]

I had some people (Indonesia Matters site) advise me to avoid Manado airport if going to Sorong because apparently baggage may not be loaded onto the same plane and so delayed. Makassar has plenty of scheduled daily flights direct to Sorong but I don't know which airlines are beter than others. The domestic airline network in Indonesia is a confusing mess.

 

[jcclink]

Lion/Wings now flys Jakarta/Ambon/Sorong. Check days of week for your schedule. This may work better for you.
Garuda has extra weight allowance for sports equipment like scuba gear. You may have to talk to a couple of agents to get this thou. They tend not to volunteer this information. Lion does not have extra allowance.

 

[ocdiver1]

I try to fly Sriwijaya whenever possible..I've them to be reliable and they have the added bonus of actually being able to book online with a credit card! I'd say Lion would be next best choice, but you can't buy online at least with a US-issued credit card...I know other nationalities dont seem to have a problem with theirs so maybe a UK credit card would work. I have not had a problem with either Sriwijaya or Lion with being slightly overweight (I have if it is a "Wings" flight which carries a lower baggage allowance). I have never personally flown Express, but especially if you are making your own flight arrangements I'd warn you they are really difficult to book and even to find out what prices are...I've only been able to do it on my own by inquiring directly to an office..and at that I've found the prices to be much higher than other airlines. If Garuda now flies it, they're good (and you can buy with a credit card online). Avoid Merpati like the plague!

 

[weeksd]

I agree with the Sriwijaya Air. Boeing 737 500 series aircraft. The flight i was on was on time and plane clean. Baggage they weighed and you paid for anything over 20kg. In sorong the office is 10 steps from Sriwijaya checkin counter for paying overweight charges. . My camera backpack was not weighed which is good as it is 10kg. Booking on interent was easy.

 

[Hintermann]

Thanks people. I have already spoken to Garuda and they have admitted on e-mail about the 15 kilo dive allowance free. Therefore, I can get to Makassar without paying additional baggage fee.

Nice to know that SriWijaya are reliable. They have regular - almost certainly daily - flights between Makassar and Sorong but the outbound flight timings are slightly awakward - very early in the morning - as things stand. But I'll keep them as the most likely airline.

 

[gee13]

Ive flown Wings and Sriwijaya..all on time so far. Sriwijaya do have larger, nicer planes.. I hope the renovations I last saw in Sorong is for the better..for the amount of international tourists flying in and out surely they could upgrade the toilet facility. Air con in the departure lounge is a +1 now though.

 

[Hintermann]

The Express Air site is now back on line and they seem to be accepting bookings as well. Of course, it is too soon for me to try. The advantage with Express is that they have daily direct non-stop flights between Makassar & Sorong and the flight times are decent - 10:10 am departure both ways. Outbound from Makassar to Sorong Express does seem the best option but SriWijaya is a good alternative for the return flight.

Lion (Wings) Air do not have direct flights between the two cities and go via either Manado or Ambon. The flight times are awkward as well. Not ideal.

 

[rakay]

My travel agent says to book: Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta. That is what we are flying in March 2014 to get to Sorong.