Garuda Airlines, the national flag carrier of Indonesia, is putting a whole new spin on inflight entertainment with the introduction of live music performances on domestic flights.
Airline spokesperson Garuda M. Ikhsan Rosan said the new scheme will target a younger customer base “who want a different flying experience,” AFP reported.
On January 9, Garuda held its first in-flight concert when two musicians performed to a captive audience on a flight from Jakarta to Bali. The airline said musicians’ sets would last anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes on selected flights, with up and coming talent a key focus.
While some passengers might enjoy the show, others may find it an inconvenience.
US airline company Southwest Airlines introduced live shows on some flights in 2017, which drew a mixed reception from customers, with some saying they preferred human interaction be kept to a minimum and others claiming the music kept them from reading or sleeping.
Ever since Indonesia’s Lion Air crash in October 2018, Indonesia’s aviation market has been under the microscope. Garuda has stressed that extensive measures have been undertaken to ensure that live shows pose no threat to security.