Bali to Ambon, via Makassar or Surabaya?

I can't decide if it makes a difference.

1) From Denpasar, Lion Air to Surabaya, wait 3 hours and Lion Air to Ambon. No re-check.

2) From Denpasar, Garuda to Makassar, wait 4 hours and Lion Air to Ambon. Must re-check in Makassar and it costs $100 more.

I have never been to Surabaya. I'm familiar with the other airports. Garuda allows another 15kgs of free weight for "sports gear", so it has saved us money in the past. The Garuda flight always seems half empty.

Any insider knowledge? Do I care?

My suggestion is to go through CGK via Lion Air biz class. It's about $2-300 more (I forget) but you get more checked luggage, more luggage space in the cabin and you don't have to wake up at 5 to get to the airport on the day of the flight. The CGK lounge is smokey but will be pretty empty by 11pm. You leave DPS at 2230 so what you save on hotel you throw in for biz class. You arrive @ 0700 so you have a full day of diving if you want. The return portion you can go back AMQ -UPG-DPS. Arrives in the evening.

Hmmm, I don't think I like that one. I'm sure I won't feel like diving if I arrive in Ambon at 7am. Not after arriving in Bali in the day before at 4 in the afternoon.

Surabaya here we come!

Oops, the flight to Surabaya is a Wings flight.

Hmmm, I don't think I like that one. I'm sure I won't feel like diving if I arrive in Ambon at 7am. Not after arriving in Bali in the day before at 4 in the afternoon.

 

Surabaya here we come!

 

Oops, the flight to Surabaya is a Wings flight.

I flew Surabaya - Ambon with Batavia.

Surabaya has a decent airport, as it is a major transport hub. Facilities just as good as Bali/the new Makassar airport.