Philippine Airlines » User reviews

Wingtips flew Philippine Airlines Business, on a B747-400 (config 2) (09/04/2011 19:29)

Knowing that Philippine Airlines is permanently assigned to the area where gate 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Hong Kong International Airport, I didn’t bother to check my boarding pass and headed towards that direction. As there was some time before boarding to visit the CNAC Lounge, which PAL contracts for its premium customers, I decided to use it, wanting to check the newspapers for developments on the horrific tsunami that devastated Japan’s Miyagi prefecture the day before.

That lounge and the Dragonair facility opposite, occupy a vantage location as passengers departing from gates 16, 17, 18 and 19 can easily see the progress of boarding from where they’re having their snacks and drinks. Boarding announcements in the CAAC lounge however are still made.

This B747-400 of PAL to Manila, departing mid-morning, had the recently retrofitted seats in the Mabuhay executive class, my window seat 7K was located on the lower deck on the right side of the cabin and with the washroom just behind me. The front area had more passengers than the back where I was. The seat to my left was unoccupied.

The new Mabuhay seats are not the full flat kind but rather, the flat-inclined. There were two control panels on the left arm rest, one that is obvious at first glance, and another that is concealed, which a chatty flight attendant revealed to me as if doing me the greatest favour. Anyway, after some experimenting on my part of pressing this and that button, I finally got into a comfortable nap position. What a pity that the flight lasted only an hour and forty minutes. I really did need some deep shut eye.

As I hadn’t ridden PAL’s business class in some time, my attention was drawn to the dishes prepared by the Pinoy Chef Brigade with the blessing of the PAL executive chef. Filipino barbecued chicken, a popular staple of daily meals in the islands, is one of my favourite picks when I dine around in Manila (the secret is in the marinade), and I was delighted to see that it was on the menu. But before digging into that, there was a Thai beef salad to start with, which prickled my tongue but wasn’t unpleasant.

By the time I was done, I thought to try to get some sleep instead of fiddling with the IFE. I only barely managed to do that before I heard the pilot saying that we would be making our descent in 15 minutes. The landing was pure PAL – light and hardly noticeable. PAL pilots are masters in the art of graceful landings. I don't know how they do it 99 percent of the time.

I was relieved that we were led to use the passageway to immigration, which had both the staircase and escalator (another area leading to immigration in another wing of the arrival hall does not feature the escalator). This made life so much easier for some of us with more than just a trolley suitcase.

Wingtips flew Philippine Airlines Economy (short haul), on a A319-100 (01/01/2011 18:08)

I've been so used to taking a B747 between Hong Kong and Manila – which PAL has had no problems filling up from my past observation – that I was surprised to see them using an A319 on my flight to Manila on December 24 to spend the holidays there, and on the return flight to HK today, January 1. I don't know if reduced traffic due to the sensational hostage incident involving an HK tour group some months ago is the reason for this. It may well be.

Boarding takes forever when there's only one aisle to reach one's seat, and this was the case on this particular aircraft. The tight space coupled with passengers hoisting their belongings into the overhead compartments and trying to settle in their seats made the queue stop and start. Eventually, things got sorted out, but no thanks to the cabin crew who just stood there and watched.

Returning to HK, I again chose an aisle seat (12C) although next time, I will probably ask for the 10th row which is the emergency exit row which has more leg room. By the way, PAL still does not offer online check in, which its rival Cebu Pacific does.

Mercifully, this HK-Manila run is all of 1 hour and 50 minutes (sometimes 40 minutes), and with a good book or a good nap, time flies by rather quickly. Don't expect any bells and whistles in the IFE department, although someone made an announcement about a new digital platform offering more choices on personal TVs. Alas, that benefited only business class customers. We in economy got a travelogue in Sydney viewed from those TV screens that pop out from the ceiling.

The food was so-so and they ran out of the chicken selection by the time they reached our row. I found it unnerving that the stewardess just plonked the remaining pork meal on our tray tables before she informed us that was all that was left. What if I had been of a faith that forbids eating pork? Did she think about that?

Some training is obviously called for here.

lantus69 flew Philippine Airlines Business (short haul), on a A320-200 (config 2) (30/12/2010 18:41)

Flew MNL- TAC and TAC-MNL, 1st flight of the day. I never expected too much when I chose to fly PAL's business class having flown several times on business class on international airlines with a 4-5 star ratings. Lounge at PAL's domestic airport need a refurbishment as it lacks the facilities needed like, shower, comfortable seating area, entertaintment and work station. but when I boarded the plane, I was surprised with service onboard, the pre-flight drinks and refreshments was excellent, and the breakfast was superb for a short flight. Claiming a baggage in tacloban is just like any other passenger, no priority for business traveller/ business-class passenger.

luv2tvl flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (config 2) (21/09/2010 23:05)

NEVER AGAIN the worst of the worst, can't wait for them to go on strike so they can fire the staff and start all over again---rotten food, delayed 95 minutes, FA's beyond rude and no control with other passengers. Asia's first is Asia's Worst

luv2travel flew Philippine Airlines Economy (01/05/2010 20:51)

Flew PR857 check in and boarding were fairly smooth. PAL domestic flight have a limited entertainment facility showing comedy shows like friends but were not given any headphones due to short flight MNL-CEB. Courteous and smiling FAs as Filipinos are known for. New aircraft with better pitch than that of Cebu Pacific. Peanuts and coffee were served for Economy class. Flight left on time which it was not known for. Better baggage allowance at 20Kgs built in with the dare. Overall very good experience with PAL.

luv2tvl flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B777-300ER (01/04/2010 15:37)

The UK has just warned it citizens not to fly any airlines based in the Philippines incuding Philippines. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/philippines

luv2tvl flew Philippine Airlines Economy (short haul), on a A320-200 (config 1) (31/03/2010 09:30)

I just learnt they have been banned from entering the EU this is on top of their recent downgrade by the USA. I sent an email to our travel agency telling them to boycott until further notice based on the serious safety issues as well as my recent trip.

luv2tvl flew Philippine Airlines Economy (short haul), on a A320-200 (config 1) (31/03/2010 09:28)

luv2tvl flew Philippine Airlines Economy (short haul), on a A320-200 (config 1) (19/03/2010 16:42)

This is the worst airline....I have seen parking garages with more amenities than their terminal in MNL. Maybe 3 snack bars and overpriced so called duty free shop with US pricing and if you use a credit card they photo copy your passport? Heard of identity theft? On board the FA's are rude and seem hostile towards passengers, the food I couldn't touch after being in MNL for a week I was put off by the sight of Filipino food. The seat was OK but nothing special, the other passengers crowd the lav area and simply wont sit down. When I found out they are on the FAA watch list as CAT 2 my company enforced a rule no one would fly PR again. I overheard one passenger in the back row ask for water, she was holding tablets in her hand which were obviously medication and the FA said the fare you paid does not entitile you to onboard service. I was never so happy to rip my bag tags off and forget the entire experience.

PAL744flyer flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (config 3) (16/02/2009 09:21)

Seat 43A was comfortable and was a good seat to sit in (Flew it from MNL-LAX). The plane I rode on was RP-7471 which recently gone through a full cabin reconfiguration. Economy had very good pitch, reclined very far (felt like i was in premium economy), and the AVOD system was awesome. I give PAL full props for the product they are introducing to their long haul fleet.

PAL744flyer flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (config 1) (16/02/2009 09:16)

Seat 35A is comfortable however the entire cabin needs to be reconfigured. The seat pitch is a little tight, it returns to it's upright position after you recline it, and it is a bad seat to watch the bulkhead entertainment screen. Can't wait for PAL to reconfigure their planes.

EdmundCarew flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (config 1) (15/02/2009 08:51)

A bit dowdy. No at seat IFE.

EdmundCarew flew Philippine Airlines Economy (short haul), on a Bombardier Q400 (15/02/2009 08:49)

OK but nothing extraordinary. Decor lacked the fresjer appeal of Cebu Pacific. its main competitor.

Mixing-with-the-best flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a A319-100 (07/01/2009 09:22)

PR312. MANILA - HK. Not the most enjoyable flight, but was exacerbated by the fact that I had missed my previous flight due to heavy traffic in Manila - and had been told by the check in assistant that if I had got there only 2 mins earlier then they would have let me on the plane... That obviously went down really well....

Manila airport is pretty lame and I dont belong to PAL FF so no lounge access.. not a great choice of food/drink and no wireless internet.

Flight was on time, boarding was fine, flight was generally passable - although the 80s blue decor grated on me towards the end, especially when we landed and I was subjected to a synthesiser version of "I will always love you" followed by "Dont cry for me Argentina"...... Followed by the bus transfer to gate at HK airport - I was about ready to cry...

The baggage took longer than CX does - was waiting for around 20 mins which is v unusual at HK airport..

If you arent cost cutting - pay the extra and take CX.. is my current advice.

Mixing-with-the-best flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a A319-100 (07/01/2009 09:14)

PR313- HK to MANILA. 15A. Flight was full. The temp was not as cold as CX flights, service was good - its a short flight so just a snack which I couldnt eat because it contained wheat - no alternative but not a big deal.

PAL flight for this particular time of flight (flew end of Nov) was around $700 less than CX.. so depends if you or your company is really cost cutting...

The boarding sucked becuase you have to take a bus to the plane at HK airport- it was cold and the bus smelt quite unpleasant.. not the best start in the morning... That was a definite drawback of PAL... as is the absence of personal TV sets.

Baggage collection at Manila was fine.

furball flew Philippine Airlines Business, on a B747-400 (config 1) (07/01/2009 02:22)

19K is a window seat on the last row, right side, of the upper deck of a Boeing B747. Carrying a bulky tote bag, I was grateful for the side compartments, and since one of them contained fragile figurines, I preferred to have them near me where I could check on them from time to time and not worry they were being crushed or being knocked about in the overhead bin. Even with my overcoat, everything fitted nicely. The only drawback of the traditional two abreast is that should the one seated by the window have to go to the washroom, he or she has to step over the person by the aisle. Since the gentleman beside me was quite lanky, when the passenger in front of him reclined his seat, I would find myself gingerly squeezing my way through, careful my butt would avoid encountering his knees as well as seeing to it that I wouldn‘t be crunching the hair of the passenger in front. Quite a balancing act, I must say.

furball flew Philippine Airlines Economy, on a B747-400 (config 1) (09/12/2008 16:07)

PAL usually uses a B747 for its quick runs between Hongkong & Manila which it easily fills up. Returning to Hongkong, I requested for a window seat of row 31, which I didn't get as someone had beat me to it. Instead I was given 31C, an aisle seat.

This was certainly better than seat 32 C behind me, which I had been on on the journey to Manila. As the section of row 31 on the left and right side of the economy class cabin has only two seats - the section in the middle have four seats – the section behind it has one seat that has no seatback in front of it.

This is a rather awkward seat location as it leaves one vulnerable to people walking into one's space. In fact, I got stepped on a few times, including having my foot almost run over by the meal trolley. Not a pleasant experience. Avoid seat 32 C on the left side of the economy section, which I suppose is seat H on the other side.

I thought we could use the loos near us, but those were reserved for the business class passengers in the cabin ahead of us, so I had to walk back a couple of rows to get to the bathroom, which was not really a problem, except there was always a queue. However, we were very near the exit so after the premier clients were left off, we were right behind them.