PR BNE - MNL direct service

[albatross710]

With the BNE-MNL-BNE PR service now becoming a direct service on an A340 I am thinking to use this service for my two-monthly Manila visits. For the past 8 months I've done QF via SYD.

QF via SYD is about 12 hours, PR direct should be about 7.5 hours. Current PR economy returns are available for $550 which is pretty good value even a weekend getaway.

Would appreciate experiences on the following:

a) What is the likely configuration of the PR A340 to operate this service? Seatguru shows they have 3 different A340 configs. At best it seems they have angled flat seat. I wouldn't again pay for business in recliners.

b) Anyone used the PR business seats?

Alby

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[MEL_Traveller]

With the BNE-MNL-BNE PR service now becoming a direct service on an A340 I am thinking to use this service for my two-monthly Manila visits. For the past 8 months I've done QF via SYD.

QF via SYD is about 12 hours, PR direct should be about 7.5 hours. Current PR economy returns are available for $550 which is pretty good value even a weekend getaway.

Would appreciate experiences on the following:

a) What is the likely configuration of the PR A340 to operate this service? Seatguru shows they have 3 different A340 configs. At best it seems they have angled flat seat. I wouldn't again pay for business in recliners.

b) Anyone used the PR business seats?

Alby

.

I think you're spot on. Angled recliners. The A330s are currently getting refurbed for full flats. The PR website lists just one version of the A340 now: Airbus A340-300

 

[albatross710]

OK, that seat map most closely resembles this Airbus A340-300 (343) V2 on seat guru.

If these are the same seats that they had on A321 when they operate the route via Darwin I couldn't make the sleeping work for me.

I am looking forward to the reduced travel time though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OK, that seat map most closely resembles this Airbus A340-300 (343) V2 on seat guru.

If these are the same seats that they had on A321 when they operate the route via Darwin I couldn't make the sleeping work for me.

I am looking forward to the reduced travel time though.

The A321 is similar to QF/VA or USA domestic business/first - 37 inch seat pitch and accompanying recline. The A340 is lie flat although I think it is a little more generous than the pitch suggested by Seatguru (54 inches is quite tight)

This trip report shows the A340's business class (part 2 of the report, the first part covers the intra-asia connection): Review: Philippine Airlines Business Class, Manila to London

 

[albatross710]

Had a positive experience on the PR A340 service BNE-MNL-BNE. Upgrade bid in both directions was successful at the minimum bid.

Here are a few pictures from the journey.



The NAIA Terminal 2 experience was very good. When I had first arrived inbound to T2 a few weeks ago I was through all of the formalities and in my transport within 28 minutes.

Similar experience upon departure. The above pictures are of the Mabuhay Lounge opposed gate 6. I enjoyed some final chicken & rice and a Hardy's Riesling prior to boarding.




At the moment PR are operating A340 on the direct MNL-BNE route. The J seat spacing is awesome for a 186cm tall person. The seats are angled flat. For the 7 hour flight I managed a good 6 hours.




Shortly after takeoff the crew issued these amenity kits. I only used the eye shades.




About 40 minutes out from Brisbane I was still able to get this delicious breakfast.

All up I was happy with my PR J experience and so much better than my previous PR J experience. PT J is not in the same same league as the big guys. Set your expectations for an enjoying service and it's good value.

Currently with the A340 on the route there is excess J capacity. They will start using the A321neo later this year which will have less capacity and less J opportunity.

As a data point:

My original 2013 PR J intro flight when they first operated BNE-DWN-MNL was about $900 return.
This 2018 trip intro pricing was Y tix $550 + 2 successful bids @ $570 = $1670 J Return BNE-MNL

Alby