Melburnian1
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Posts
- 24,673
PR flies ex MEL, SYD and BNE to MNL and uses the A333 (more modern than QF's) with 1-2-1 lie flat in J ex MEL and the narrowbody A321neo, also lie flat in J and the only airline ex Oz to offer this, but in a 2-2 in J small cabin of only 12 seats. The Thompson Vantage XL seats on the A333 don't have quite all the bells and whistles of some other airlines - not quite as much storage space - but I've still found them very comfortable. Seats like 2A/2K/4A/4K on the A333 are the pick of the bunch because one is right next to the window with the console adjacent to the aisle, meaning one won't get bumped by an errant trolley (or passenger).
The A321neo in J does not have direct aisle access for window seat passengers but remains a huge improvement over narrowbodies like the B738 'recliner seats' that QF and VA for instance operate DPS - MEL overnight.
PR's mid winter sale has some great prices.
Japan's NH has about an eight per cent recently acquired interest in PR (often referred to as 'PAL').
One can travel 'open jaw' into and out of different cities in Japan, for instance, buying a Japan Rail Pass ('Green') to cover surface sectors in an enjoyable way with Japanese hospitality. PR has a more extensive Japanese network than QF/JQ/3K.
One could also fly into PUS and out of ICN as PR has a daily flight MNL - PUS and two daily flights MNL - ICN. Similarly flying in to HAN and out of SGN or vice versa is a possibility, and PR also has recently commenced flying to PNH so one could fly into BKK and out of PNH.
Research the connecting flights ex MNL as the ones that show '333' on FR24 usually mean the refurbished A333s with (as above) J lie flat, a good premium economy class (W) and Y with all seats having IFE. Some of the A333s have not been refurbished and still lack IFE, and have poor legroom: these tend to be used to the Middle East and to ICN. Routes like MNL - HKG offer W class on some flights that is a dead giveaway for the refuirbished A333s being the aircraft as the unrefurbished ones lack W class.
Similarly the A321neos that PAL has are preferable to its older A321s as the former have IFE to all seats and as mentioned, lie flat in J.
There are also one way fares available that while unsuitable for many (and more expensive than return sale fares on a per kilometre basis), may be handy if one wants to 'position' to Asia and then book a series of return trips from there (say if one worked in Asia).
Specialist Filipino travel agents in MEL, SYD and BNE may sell these advertised PR online fares even cheaper and have the bonus of a person to contact if something goes awry:
www.philippineairlines.com
Ask a travel agent about arranging 'STPC' (free hotel accommodation with transfers and meals) should there not be a connecting flight same day ex MNL. For Y travellers, the hotel will be a basic Red Planet type but for J in particular, expect a four star hotel or perhaps 4.5 star that may have an extensive buffet at meal times. I don't know which hotels the airline is using at present but a friend on a previous occasion received the Manila Diamond Hotel that while about 35 years old is classy and has a good buffet in a renovated large dining room.
There are six flights a week ex MEL and nine ex SYD at present, but two distinct timetables for each, so check which one is better for connections each way. The BNE flights (five days a week) operate (with the exception of one slightly later flight each week) to one timetable.
Here is the present PR timetable (international - the domestic one is also in its site). Some AFFers may be surprised at its extensive network (and good frequency to USA and Canada, including nonstop on the new A359 MNL to JFK):
A good travel agent may be able to arrange a longer stopover in Manila, enabling a beach visit. It can be cheaper to book such domestic fares online with PR rather than adding them to an international booking. Has always seemed counter-intuitive to me.
The A321neo in J does not have direct aisle access for window seat passengers but remains a huge improvement over narrowbodies like the B738 'recliner seats' that QF and VA for instance operate DPS - MEL overnight.
PR's mid winter sale has some great prices.
Japan's NH has about an eight per cent recently acquired interest in PR (often referred to as 'PAL').
One can travel 'open jaw' into and out of different cities in Japan, for instance, buying a Japan Rail Pass ('Green') to cover surface sectors in an enjoyable way with Japanese hospitality. PR has a more extensive Japanese network than QF/JQ/3K.
One could also fly into PUS and out of ICN as PR has a daily flight MNL - PUS and two daily flights MNL - ICN. Similarly flying in to HAN and out of SGN or vice versa is a possibility, and PR also has recently commenced flying to PNH so one could fly into BKK and out of PNH.
Research the connecting flights ex MNL as the ones that show '333' on FR24 usually mean the refurbished A333s with (as above) J lie flat, a good premium economy class (W) and Y with all seats having IFE. Some of the A333s have not been refurbished and still lack IFE, and have poor legroom: these tend to be used to the Middle East and to ICN. Routes like MNL - HKG offer W class on some flights that is a dead giveaway for the refuirbished A333s being the aircraft as the unrefurbished ones lack W class.
Similarly the A321neos that PAL has are preferable to its older A321s as the former have IFE to all seats and as mentioned, lie flat in J.
There are also one way fares available that while unsuitable for many (and more expensive than return sale fares on a per kilometre basis), may be handy if one wants to 'position' to Asia and then book a series of return trips from there (say if one worked in Asia).
Specialist Filipino travel agents in MEL, SYD and BNE may sell these advertised PR online fares even cheaper and have the bonus of a person to contact if something goes awry:
404
www.philippineairlines.com
Ask a travel agent about arranging 'STPC' (free hotel accommodation with transfers and meals) should there not be a connecting flight same day ex MNL. For Y travellers, the hotel will be a basic Red Planet type but for J in particular, expect a four star hotel or perhaps 4.5 star that may have an extensive buffet at meal times. I don't know which hotels the airline is using at present but a friend on a previous occasion received the Manila Diamond Hotel that while about 35 years old is classy and has a good buffet in a renovated large dining room.
There are six flights a week ex MEL and nine ex SYD at present, but two distinct timetables for each, so check which one is better for connections each way. The BNE flights (five days a week) operate (with the exception of one slightly later flight each week) to one timetable.
Here is the present PR timetable (international - the domestic one is also in its site). Some AFFers may be surprised at its extensive network (and good frequency to USA and Canada, including nonstop on the new A359 MNL to JFK):
A good travel agent may be able to arrange a longer stopover in Manila, enabling a beach visit. It can be cheaper to book such domestic fares online with PR rather than adding them to an international booking. Has always seemed counter-intuitive to me.
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