AirAsia Jakarta to Labuan Bajo: Flight Review, Baggage Check & Arrival Tips

We flew from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo with AirAsia as the starting point for our journey through Flores, Indonesia.

We had already completed online check-in and downloaded our electronic boarding passes, so when we arrived at the airport, we did not need to visit the check-in counter. We went through security and headed straight towards the departure gate.

However, there was an unexpected baggage weight check at the gate.

My backpack weighed 9kg, while Mai’s backpack weighed 10kg. Both were over the cabin baggage allowance, so we were told to check them in.

Fortunately, our ticket already included one piece of checked baggage, so there was no additional charge.

Here is our experience flying AirAsia from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo, including the airport process, baggage check, flight experience and what happened after we arrived in Labuan Bajo.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：AirAsiaでジャカルタからラブアンバジョへ｜搭乗記・荷物チェック・到着後の移動

Flying from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo with AirAsia

Our AirAsia flight was scheduled to depart Jakarta at around 12:15 pm.

We had stayed at Orchardz Hotel in Jakarta and used the hotel’s airport shuttle bus, which departed at 10:00 am.

As we had already checked in online and had our electronic boarding passes, we did not need to go through the normal check-in process at the airport.

Instead, we went through security and headed towards the departure gate.

Online Check-in Did Not Mean No Baggage Check

This was one of the most useful things we learnt from this flight.

Although we had already completed online check-in, our cabin baggage was weighed at the entrance to the gate.

My backpack weighed 9kg and Mai’s weighed 10kg.

Both bags were over the permitted cabin baggage allowance, so the staff told us that they would need to be checked in.

This is worth keeping in mind if you are flying AirAsia with a backpack or other cabin baggage. Completing online check-in does not necessarily mean that your baggage will not be checked at the airport.

Our Checked Baggage Was Included in the Ticket

Fortunately, our AirAsia ticket already included one piece of checked baggage.

This meant that when our backpacks had to be checked in, we did not have to pay an additional baggage fee.

If you are booking an AirAsia flight to Labuan Bajo, it is worth checking exactly what baggage allowance is included with your particular fare.

Our AirAsia Flight from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo

Boarding was straightforward and the flight departed on time.

There was no meal service on the flight, but that was not an issue for us.

The flight itself was uneventful and everything went smoothly from boarding through to arrival.

Getting off the aircraft at Labuan Bajo was also quick and straightforward.

Collecting Our Baggage at Labuan Bajo Airport

After landing at Labuan Bajo Airport, our checked baggage arrived quickly.

We did not have to wait long for our backpacks, which made the arrival process relatively easy.  We try to never check in our bags, if possible.

Once we had collected our luggage, we left the airport and arranged transport into town.

Getting from Labuan Bajo Airport to Town

We took a taxi from Labuan Bajo Airport to the GraPari office near our accommodation.

The fare was 70,000 IDR which seems to be a fixed fee.

For us, this was a straightforward way to get into Labuan Bajo after the flight, especially with our backpacks and camera equipment.

Buying a Telkomsel SIM Card in Labuan Bajo

There is a Telkomsel booth at Labuan Bajo Airport, so you can buy a SIM card after landing if you need mobile data straight away.

However, we decided to buy our SIM card in town instead.

A Telkomsel staff member at the airport told us that buying a SIM card at a GraPARI outlet in town would be cheaper.

This worked well for us because there was a GraPARI outlet very close to our accommodation, Amanta Homestay.

There was one problem, though: the GraPARI closed at 5:00 pm.

We arrived at Labuan Bajo Airport at around 4:00 pm, so we had to move quickly if we wanted to buy the SIM card that afternoon.

After collecting our luggage, we took a taxi into town and went to the GraPARI near our homestay.

If you are planning to buy a Telkomsel SIM card after arriving in Labuan Bajo, it is worth checking the opening hours of the outlet you intend to visit.

➡ A-Manta Homestay Labuan Bajo Review: Clean Rooms, Breakfast & Location

Our Jakarta to Labuan Bajo AirAsia Experience

Overall, our journey from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo with AirAsia was straightforward.

The flight was on time, boarding was smooth, there was no meal service, and our checked baggage arrived quickly after landing.

The main thing we had not expected was the baggage weight check at the gate.

Even though we had completed online check-in and already had our electronic boarding passes, our backpacks were weighed before we could board. At 10kg and 9kg, both were over the cabin baggage allowance and had to be checked in.

Fortunately, our ticket included one piece of checked baggage each, so there was no additional charge.

For anyone travelling from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo with AirAsia, we would recommend checking your baggage weight before leaving for the airport and checking exactly what baggage allowance is included with your fare.

Starting Our Flores Journey in Labuan Bajo

Flying from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo was the beginning of our journey through Flores.

After arriving in Labuan Bajo, we stayed at Amanta Homestay before continuing overland to Ruteng.

From there, our journey continued towards Bajawa and eventually Kupang as we travelled further east.

For us, the AirAsia flight was simply the first step in a much longer Flores adventure.