Britain is getting its first non-stop flight to Bali – but there's a catch

Trips to the tropical island paradise of Bali are about to get a little easier for British travellers, with Garuda Indonesia preparing to launch the first non-stop flights from the UK. The direct service will start on January 22, replacing Garuda’s existing route from Heathrow to Jakarta. Outbound flights will leave London at 9:55pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, touching down at Bali Denpasar at 915pm the following day. There’s a catch, however. Travellers returning to the UK will be required to fly first to Jakarta. Garuda’s solitary UK route has had a remarkably varied history. Story has details. Tickets for the inaugural direct service, a lengthy flight of 15 hours and 35 minutes on board a Boeing 777, are available for GBP519. A return journey one week later, featuring a short hop to Jakarta on a 737 before the main haul to London, takes an extra three hours. Total cost: GBP933. While the Garuda service is the quickest way for Britons to reach Bali, indirect services offer far more cost effective options. <br/>