PR MEL - LHR return A$1239; SYD - LHR A$1253; BNE - LHR A$1248; also CNS and DRW-LHR

[Melburnian1]

Philippine Airlines is advertising return economy airfares from MEL - MNL - LHR of A$1239 which is quite competitive.

Similar fares are available from SYD and BNE; the latter travels via DRW and is an A320 (most of the time) or A321 (school holidays) to MNL. The fares ex CNS and DRW are a bit more expensive: c. A$1400 range.

In business class, the A333 is very good; the A343 not so good (not lie flat) when I last travelled (some time ago). The Melbourne flights are almost always the A333; Sydney flights appear to be a mix of A343 and A333 (PR211 and return PR212, the more popular flight) or always A343 (PR213 and return PR214).

In economy, there is no at seat entertainment, but iPads can sometimes be obtained from the flight crew.

One could so a sidetrip from MNL to a Filipino beach.

Travel is from now until 30 November 2016 then 15 January to 20 June 2017. Luggage allowance is a generous 46 kilograms.

 

[Melburnian1]

Re: PR MEL - LHR return A$1239; SYD - LHR A$1253; BNE - LHR A$1248; also CNS and DRW-

The PR schedules typically require an overnight on the forward journey (except for passengers from CNS) but on the way back to Oz, the flight should connect with all Australia-bound flights.

If booked online with PR or through an Australian bricks and mortar travel agent, the airline will as I understand it provide complimentary accommodation in MNL for one night.

Given that PR now operates daily between MNL and LHR, it is a better option than was the case a few months ago. Only the MNL - SYD - MNL flight runs daily to Oz; the MEL flights are thrice weekly while CNS (which continues on to AKL) and BNE via DRW are four times a week.