Garuda Indonesia’s New Economy Seating Options: “ESCort” & “Premium”

Over the years we’ve seen airlines introduce more seating options for passengers. This is because first and business class keep getting better while economy keeps getting worse, meaning there’s more room for a middle-ground product.

Garuda Indonesia has just introduced new economy seating options for passengers, called ESCort and Premium. Alrighty, those are some interesting names. As of now these products are only available on their flights to & from London (which is a troubled route for them), and can only be booked by calling the airline.

So, what do these experiences include?

Garuda Indonesia’s ESCort seating

Here’s how Garuda Indonesia describes this seating option:

ESCort seats are suitable for you who want to lay down during your long-haul flight. We arrange one row of seat in our Economy Class cabin with specially selected mattress, pillow, duvet, and blanket for your sleeping comfort. Along with the specially arranged seats, we also offer you some extra benefits:

• Free baggage allowance up to 40 kg
• Business class meal and amenity kit
• Priority baggage handling
• Free USD5 Wi-Fi voucher starting 26 January 2019
• Special mileage 200%
• Mattress, Pillow, Duvet, Blanket

Garuda Indonesia’s Premium seating

Here’s how Garuda Indonesia describes this seating option:

Premium seats in Economy Class cabin gives you more seat space during your long haul. Beside clearing one seat next to you for more space, we also offer you some extra benefits:

• Free baggage allowance up to 40 kg
• Duvet
• Business class meal and amenity kit
• Priority baggage handling
• Free USD5 Wi-Fi voucher starting 26 January 2019
• Special mileage 150%

Bottom line

I find it interesting that Garuda Indonesia is launching this feature on the London route. It’s one of their two ultra longhaul flights (along with Jakarta to Amsterdam), so I’m a bit surprised they don’t also offer it on the Amsterdam route.

Historically Garuda Indonesia has struggled on their London route, so my guess is that they’re testing out this concept here, since they don’t expect flights to be full.

The concept they’re going for isn’t anything new, as Air New Zealand has done something similar with their Skycouch. What I find interesting, however, is that they’re also offering bonus miles, business class meals, and more.

Also, I hope I’m missing something really obvious here (it’s 5AM as I write this and I’m jetlagged and I’m on my first cup of coffee), but what the heck is up with the ESCort name? Is there something incredibly obvious that I’m missing? Maybe “ESC” stands for “economy space comfort,” or something, but…?

(Tip of the hat to Winston)