Eva Airways vs JetStar

Sunday, April 3, 2016.

This was going to be a super long flight. I was departing from San Francisco on EVA Airways heading to Taipei to transfer to another plane to Denpasar, Bali. Eva Airways has not disappointed me, the service is always as good as Singapore Airlines. But I found one of my suitcases was damaged substantially, the seam was ripped off and the entire content can be easily accessible. Nothing was missing, just annoying that I had to submit a claim for my damaged suitcase. I signed the claim told them that we would deal with it on my return from Australia. I was lucky to have my friend Titut at Astrindo Tours and Travel in Bali who arranged all my flights and hotels. After dropping off most of my luggage at her place, on the same day of arrival she helped me getting back into the airport to catch a JetStar flight to Adelaide. I still enjoy the old fashion way of booking my trips. If she can't meet me at the airport, she would send someone waiting for me and taking care of my needs.... her service is incomparable! Having her as my travel agent gives me comfort. Especially since I travel alone a lot of times.

The JetStar price was awesome, but I probably won't fly JetStar again. As with any low cost carrier, you only get a seat. That's it. Nothing more. They have the most minuscule luggage allowance too. Again, I feel fortunate to have a friend and agent who was willing to keep my luggage for me for 2 weeks since I was planning to return to Bali. Departing from Bali wasn't so bad. But returning from Adelaide was not very good. They weighed every belonging you have in your hand, not to exceed the limit stated on your ticket. This is something I had never expected. I can't remember the overage that I had to pay, but I wasn't happy about it. It doesn't matter even if you weigh 100 lbs. (I know I weigh more than that, but I know I weigh half than some passengers do). I must have slept all the way during the 5 hour flight. My body needed it after 30 hours of sleep deprivation, from the time I woke up to get ready for departure in SFO to the departure from DPS.