$99 SYD-MNL book by 19 June for travel 09 Sep - 31 Dec

[k_sheep]

Wait.... Maybe I've been in the plus section.... Not sure now.

On further inspection, yes, there seems to be some extra leg room in my row, 34 (second last of front cabin).

Also they just did a quiz over the PA. Three questions. Bit of fun and a coughpy travel pouch as a prize. Still, breaks it up a bit.

Interesting - these seats just cost the normal $9 from what I can tell. Are all the rows around there a bit better or just that one?

Very tempted to jump back for my flight

 

[AdMEL]

Two hours to go.

Yep own device for internet. They also stream movies for free to your own device.

You don't need PHP but the AUD prices aren't written down (you just get told them) and I estimate they're 20-40% more than PHP prices. I think they also accept USD.

Off to Cebu a couple of hours after we land. As for what we are up to once there? No idea at the moment!

It sounds like getting some PHP before could be worthwhile. Did you pre-purchase food? If you didn't can it be purchased on board?

 

[Virgin Bart]

Interesting - these seats just cost the normal $9 from what I can tell. Are all the rows around there a bit better or just that one?

Very tempted to jump back for my flight

In my hotel in Cebu finally.

I had another look after that post, and I actually couldn't see much of a difference at all in the front cabin. Imagination must have been playing games.

 

[Virgin Bart]

It sounds like getting some PHP before could be worthwhile. Did you pre-purchase food? If you didn't can it be purchased on board?

Certainly get PHP before you board.

I didn't pre-purchase food, but then was jealous at the people that did.

Some food, mainly snacks, can be purchased on board. There were four small local hot options available for 350.

 

[AdMEL]

G'day from 40,000 ft! 2.5 hours into the flight to MNL and like Virgin Bart, finding flight pretty decent. Exit row seats not very comfortable for me (not enough padding and wrong shape, but then I'm a little bit taller than average!) and Internet painfully slow, but otherwise pretty good.
San Miguel for AUD 3 pretty cheap! Food ok by airline standards.

 

[Virgin Bart]

G'day from 40,000 ft! 2.5 hours into the flight to MNL and like Virgin Bart, finding flight pretty decent. Exit row seats not very comfortable for me (not enough padding and wrong shape, but then I'm a little bit taller than average!) and Internet painfully slow, but otherwise pretty good.
San Miguel for AUD 3 pretty cheap! Food ok by airline standards.

There's something pretty awesome about accessing the net in the air... But I just hope it doesn't become fast enough for calls/work to be done. First time on 5J?

 

[AdMEL]

There's something pretty awesome about accessing the net in the air... But I just hope it doesn't become fast enough for calls/work to be done. First time on 5J?

Yes, internet in flight is pretty awesome! A little faster would be good, but as you say, not so fast as to be able to make calls!

I assume you're back home now? What did you end up doing in Philippines?

A few things I forgot to mention:

Interesting that there is not much extra safety briefing for exit row seats - basically there's the door handle and look at the safety card! Also interesting that there is no announcement to turn phones off or even turn phones onto flight mode - only to put them onto silent!

Flight took off about half an hour late... My return connecting flight from SYDNEY to MEL two hours after arrival isn't looking good!

 

[jetlagger]

Yes, internet in flight is pretty awesome! A little faster would be good, but as you say, not so fast as to be able to make calls!

I assume you're back home now? What did you end up doing in Philippines?

A few things I forgot to mention:

Interesting that there is not much extra safety briefing for exit row seats - basically there's the door handle and look at the safety card! Also interesting that there is no announcement to turn phones off or even turn phones onto flight mode - only to put them onto silent!

Flight took off about half an hour late... My return connecting flight from SYDNEY to MEL two hours after arrival isn't looking good!

Thanks for 'live" update..
I must sample the wifi on next upcoming 5J flight. There was never any mentioning of it couple of weeks ago MNL/SYD.
I have often found the 5J safety briefing very lax & the phone off/inflight mode request is often forgotten from the crew.
My last two flights, there were pax in the first row still using their phones inflight in front of the crew whom never said a word to them until the flight arrived & was taxiing to terminal.
Also on the last flight 5J-7295 I could hear text message alerts mid flight which was disturbing.
The seats on the newish 330 lack sufficient base padding so agreed it feels hard after a few hours sitting.
Enjoy the rest of the flight & safe travels in Philippines.
Cheers,
jl

 

[AdMEL]

Thanks for 'live" update..
I must sample the wifi on next upcoming 5J flight. There was never any mentioning of it couple of weeks ago MNL/SYD.
I have often found the 5J safety briefing very lax & the phone off/inflight mode request is often forgotten from the crew.
My last two flights, there were pax in the first row still using their phones inflight in front of the crew whom never said a word to them until the flight arrived & was taxiing to terminal.
Also on the last flight 5J-7295 I could hear text message alerts mid flight which was disturbing.
The seats on the newish 330 lack sufficient base padding so agreed it feels hard after a few hours sitting.
Enjoy the rest of the flight & safe travels in Philippines.
Cheers,
jl

I don't think there was any mention of it on this flight either - I knew about it because Virgin Bart posted live from his flight last week and as a result I checked the inflight entertainment system for it.

 

[jetlagger]

I don't think there was any mention of it on this flight either - I knew about it because Virgin Bart posted live from his flight last week and as a result I checked the inflight entertainment system for it.

Mmm - interesting lax communication.. it seems!
Good luck with the timely return flight as well.. My last 5J MNL/SYD flight was 3.5 hours delayed.. with the usual BS told by 5J as a result required a rebooking for domestic which was a PITA.
Anyway have fun..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting that there is not much extra safety briefing for exit row seats - basically there's the door handle and look at the safety card!

You're on an A330? There shouldn't be any additional safety briefing for an exit row. It is assumed the crew will open the doors.