PAL – The Wknd Travel

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 592 – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila – A Taste of PAL’s Regional Widebody Service with a Last-Minute Equipment Swap [February 2025]

Last February, my friends and I flew to the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, for a quick 3-day, 3-night trip. We immersed ourselves in the city’s history at the War Remnants Museum, shopped at Ben Thanh Market, hopped between coffee shops, and savored healthy local cuisine at various restaurants. Like all good things, our trip eventually came to an end.

For this journey, we flew with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. Previously, I shared how our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City flight went and I thought it was a good one. Today, I would like to tell you how we unexpectedly ended up flying the airline’s regional widebody service due to a last-minute equipment swap. Read on to find out what it was like to fly Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A330 on a short-haul flight back to Manila.

Last year (August 2024), I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for five days and five nights. I wrote about this trip, sharing details about our accommodation, itinerary, and day tours. I also listed the cafes and restaurants we visited during the trip. I hope you’ll check out the trip blog here.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline began operations in 1941 and is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. It is part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies and is also partly owned by ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways.

Philippine Airlines operates a fleet of nearly 50 Airbus, Boeing, and De Havilland aircraft, serving over 70 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Australia, North America, and the Middle East. The airline has a wholly owned subsidiary, PAL Express, which operates its domestic regional routes. PAL flies out of its hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

PAL is the country’s largest full-service airline, offering a premium experience to its passengers. It provides business class, premium economy, and economy class on most of its routes. Although it is not a member of any airline alliance, it has codeshare agreements with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, and many others.

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

In October 2024, I flew with Philippine Airlines’ Domestic Comfort Class from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. It is the airline’s domestic premium economy product. Curious about the comfort class experience? Check out these flight reports: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2853 – Manila to Cebu – First PAL Domestic Comfort Class Experience – Was the Last-Minute Booking Worth It? [October 2024] & PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024].

Airfare & Inclusions

In September 2024, I came across a promotional fare to Saigon offered by Philippine Airlines. I told my friends about it and before I knew it, we all had tickets. We got our return tickets for $149.80 or ₱8,478.14, including foreign transaction and service fees.

The ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, complimentary middle and window seat selection, wireless inflight entertainment, inflight meals on every flight, and the friendly service from the PAL crew.

Although the ticket was still more expensive compared to a ₱1 base fare ticket from rival Cebu Pacific Air, it was affordable for an airline like Philippine Airlines. It may not have been a cheap ticket, but it was definitely reasonable given what was included.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders only need to present a valid passport and their eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be asked to show additional documents, such as a valid visa or proof of onward travel. Entry requirements vary depending on nationality, so it is always a good idea to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information before your trip.

Before The Flight

A week before our flight, Philippine Airlines sent an email offering two optional upgrades: myPAL Upgrade and myPAL Seat Select Neighbor-Free. The first allowed us to bid for a business class seat starting at a minimum amount, while the second let us block the neighboring seat for a fixed fee. The airline sent another business class bidding invitation four days before departure.

Then, 24 hours before the flight, the airline sent another email advising that online check-in was now available. The message also included important requirements and airport reminders for the flight. That was when I found out there was a last-minute equipment swap. Our aircraft was changed from an Airbus A321 to an Airbus A330 widebody. I immediately filled out all the necessary details, chose a new window seat, and checked in for the flight back to Manila, Philippines.

About two hours before departure, Philippine Airlines sent a final email advising that the flight might not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, wireless inflight entertainment would be available onboard, along with instructions on how to use the system.

A massive thank you to Philippine Airlines for keeping passengers well informed about the details of the upcoming flight.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was originally scheduled to be operated by an Airbus A321-231 aircraft. Just days before the flight, the airline swapped it for an Airbus A330-343E widebody. This 11.4-year-old aircraft is registered as RP-C8783.

Delivered to the airline in November 2013, the Airbus A330 features 18 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy recliner seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 267 regular economy seats also in a 2-4-2 setup.

Flight PR 592 took off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 9:38 a.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of 33,000 feet, and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:58 p.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila, with Manila being an hour ahead. The entire flight lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes. This flight is a codeshare with Vietnam Airlines.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines operates out of Terminal 2, the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

My friends and I arrived at the airport a few minutes after 6:30 a.m. Philippine Airlines has separate lines for business class passengers and status holders, economy passengers who checked in online, and regular economy class passengers.

We lined up for bag drop at 6:37 a.m. and finished by 7:14 a.m. The online check-in line moved slower than expected. After getting our boarding passes, we cleared immigration and security. The entire check-in process took 37 minutes.

ROSE BUSINESS LOUNGE

After clearing immigration and security, I stopped by the Rose Business Lounge for breakfast. I used my RCBC JCB Platinum LoungeKey entitlement to access the lounge.

The lounge offered a good selection of food and drinks, including some local dishes. It was quite crowded during my visit, but I still managed to find a seat.

BOARDING

The boarding process began at 8:49 a.m., starting with business class passengers, status holders, and priority passengers. Regular economy class passengers were then called to board by row.

By 9:12 a.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 23 minutes. The plane pushed back at 9:23 a.m. and started taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by an 11.4-year-old Airbus A330-343E aircraft. The cabin features 18 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy recliner seats arranged 2-3-2, and 267 regular economy seats also in a 2-4-2 configuration.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat offers a pitch of 44 inches, a width of up to 24 inches, and reclines fully flat into a bed. Premium economy seats provide a pitch of 34 inches, a width of 19.5 inches, and an 8-inch recline. Regular economy seats have a pitch of 32 inches, a width of 18 inches, and a 6-inch recline.

All seats are equipped with personal entertainment screens. Business class seats feature 18.5-inch screens, premium economy seats have 13.3-inch screens, and economy seats come with 10.1-inch screens. Business and premium economy seats include USB ports and AC/DC power outlets, while economy seats have USB ports only.

Every economy seat also has an adjustable headrest, a headset, a tray table, a seatback pocket containing the safety card, an individual reading light, and a cabin crew call button. This aircraft does not have individual air vents. Before takeoff, the cabin crew offered blankets to passengers upon request.

I was seated in 57K for this short flight back to Manila. I found the seat spacious and comfortable. With the personal entertainment screen, I am confident I could easily handle a medium to long-haul flight in this seat.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

Philippine Airlines provides inflight meals on its international routes. On our flight to Manila, passengers were given a choice between two main dishes: beef curry with rice or fish with rice. The meal also included a small pack of dried mangoes, a bottle of water, and a beverage of choice. Meals were served individually rather than on trays and came with wooden cutlery and a napkin. After the meal, the cabin crew made another pass through the cabin, offering coffee, tea, or water to those interested.

I chose the beef option and paired it with a glass of apple juice. The meal was decent, though nothing extraordinary. Like the meal on our Manila to Saigon flight, the main dish was not quite to my liking. I have tried better inflight meals on Philippine Airlines, but I’m still grateful that the airline served a meal on this two-hour flight back to Manila.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All seats on this aircraft are equipped with personal entertainment screens. Economy class seats feature a 10.1-inch screen installed in front of every seat. At the time of the flight, Philippine Airlines’ entertainment system offered 79 movies, 110 music albums, and 128 television show episodes.

This selection is more than enough for a short hop back to Manila. While the options may not be as extensive as those on Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, or Emirates, they are certainly sufficient for a medium to long-haul flight with Philippine Airlines. The screen was a touchscreen and responded well to input.

One thing to note: the inflight map, which is my favorite feature on any personal entertainment system, was not functional during this flight. How unfortunate.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

At the time of the flight, Philippine Airlines did not offer inflight connectivity on this route to Manila.

LAVATORY

My seatmate was asleep for most of the flight, which allowed me to leave my seat and visit the lavatory.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew service on this flight was adequate, though nothing particularly remarkable or outstanding. The crew did their job well, ensuring that all passengers followed inflight safety protocols and procedures.

Disembarkation

The aircraft touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport ahead of schedule, landing at 12:58 p.m. local time. It then taxied to NAIA Terminal 1 for disembarkation.

The cabin crew announced an orderly disembarkation by row for economy class passengers, but some passengers did not follow this. Most stood up as soon as the seat belt sign was turned off.

Immigration, baggage claim, and customs took around 30 minutes from the time we stepped off the aircraft.

Flight Experience

It was an exciting flight with Philippine Airlines, from the reasonable airfare to the last-minute equipment swap to an Airbus A330 widebody aircraft. Allow me to summarize my flight experience with our country’s flag carrier. The flight had its standouts as well as its misses.

Let us start with the standouts. First, the return airfare was affordable compared to the usual Philippine Airlines fares. It was also reasonable considering it included 30 kilograms of checked luggage, personal entertainment screens, and a hot meal service.

Second, Philippine Airlines was proactive in sending multiple emails to inform passengers about upgrade offers and flight requirements. The airline even sent an email advising that our flight might not feature personal entertainment screens even though it ultimately did.

Third, the last-minute equipment swap worked in my favor, allowing me to experience flying on a widebody aircraft on a regional route. It was a true full-service PAL experience and definitely more enjoyable than flying on a single-aisle plane.

Fourth, props to the airline for serving a hot meal on this roughly two-hour flight back to Manila. Lastly, the personal entertainment screens made a significant difference in the overall flight experience.

Now for the misses. The check-in process took longer than expected, 37 minutes compared to the quick check-in on our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City flight. Second, the cabin did not feature individual air vents. This is a personal preference, but I like having control over the airflow at my seat.

Third, the main beef meal was just okay, nothing special and not quite to my liking. I have had better meals on Philippine Airlines before. Lastly, my favorite inflight entertainment feature, the inflight map, did not work throughout the flight. The aviation geek in me was disappointed not being able to track our journey back to the Philippines.

Despite these misses, I thoroughly enjoyed this flight with Philippine Airlines and will certainly fly with them again in the future. I hope to try their Airbus A350 aircraft next time.

Allow me to provide a summary of this PR 592 flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila.

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 25 February 2025
Flight Number: PR 591
Route: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (SGN) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 57K (Window)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-343E
Aircraft Registration: RP-C8783
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent 772B-60 Engines
Age: 11.4-years-old
Delivered: November 2013

That wraps up my experience flying Philippine Airlines on PR 592 from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) back to Manila.

If you have recently flown with PAL, I would love to hear about your journey! Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below. For any questions about the airline or this route, you can leave a comment or get in touch via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am always happy to connect and help however I can!

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Qantas, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Cathay Pacific. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I’d really appreciate it if you could like and follow my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This helps expand my reach and keeps you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, Hostel of the Day features, and flight reports on the website. Thanks again, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 591 – Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Economy Value Ticket to Vietnam’s Vibrant City with PH Flag Carrier [February 2025]

It was in September last year when my friends and I came across a reasonably priced return ticket to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with Philippine Airlines. We did not think twice, we booked the tickets right away.

Fast forward to February 2025, we finally took the flight to Saigon and spent a few days exploring this vibrant Vietnamese city.

Today, allow me to share how our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) flight PR 591 went onboard the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. This flight report will give you an idea of what it is like to fly with PAL on one of their short-haul regional routes.

Philippine Airlines

Airfare & Inclusions

My friends and I booked our tickets during Philippine Airlines’ seat sale back in September 2024. We scored return tickets for just $149.80 each. My local bank charged me ₱8,478.14, including foreign transaction service fees.

The fare included 7 kilograms of carry-on baggage, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, complimentary middle and window seat selection, inflight entertainment via mobile device, inflight meals on each flight, and the warm, hospitable service of the PAL cabin crew.

While it may not be as cheap as Cebu Pacific Air’s ₱1-base fare promotions, it was still a great deal, especially considering the inclusions, the convenient flight schedules (no red-eyes), and the fact that we were flying with the country’s flag carrier. Philippine Airlines rarely offers fares with this many perks at such a low price.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for tourism or business purposes. We are granted a 21-day, visa-free, non-extendable stay. For trips longer than 21 days, a visa must be secured in advance.

Additionally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to complete an online departure form and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

Then, 24 hours before the flight, PAL emailed again to notify us that online check-in was open. The message also included travel requirements and airport reminders. I filled out the necessary details and checked in for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City right away.

Around two hours before departure, we received a final email advising that our flight would not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, wireless inflight entertainment would be available onboard, with instructions on how to access the system provided in the email.

Kudos to Philippine Airlines for keeping passengers well-informed about available services and flight updates.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Our Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) flight with Philippine Airlines was operated by an 8.3-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft (at the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in November 2016, the aircraft is registered as RP-C9929. It features 12 angle-flat business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom (also known as domestic comfort class) seats, and 169 standard economy seats, all in a 3-3 layout.

Flight PR 591 departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:04 a.m., cruised at an altitude of 34,000 feet, and landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at 8:13 a.m. local time. There is a one-hour time difference between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City. The total flight duration was 2 hours and 9 minutes. This flight is also a codeshare service with Vietnam Airlines.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Airport & Ground Experience

At the time of our flight, all international flights operated by Philippine Airlines were departing from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Philippine Airlines occupies one side of Terminal 1 for check-in and bag drop, with dedicated counters for business class passengers, those needing assistance, and group travelers.

I arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:45 a.m. and immediately proceeded to pay the travel tax. By 3:53 a.m., I had joined the check-in queue and was done by 3:57 a.m., a smooth and efficient process. The ground staff were courteous and professional throughout.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my friends and I proceeded through immigration and security. We then spent the rest of the pre-boarding time relaxing at the PAGGS Lounge, which I accessed using my credit cards.

BOARDING

At 6:00 a.m., my friends and I walked to Gate 15 for boarding. At 6:08 a.m., the ground staff made pre-boarding announcements in both English and Vietnamese. Priority boarding for business class passengers, elite status holders, and those traveling with infants began at 6:17 a.m.

Regular economy passengers boarded by row. By 6:40 a.m., the cabin crew had closed the aircraft doors, completing the entire boarding process in just 23 minutes. The plane pushed back at 6:48 a.m. and began taxiing to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Philippine Airlines flight was operated by an 8.3-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also arranged 3-3.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat offers a pitch of 37 inches, a width of 22 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Economy Extra Legroom seats provide a pitch of 34 inches, a width of 18 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. Regular economy seats have the same width and recline but a slightly smaller pitch of 30 inches.

Every economy seat is equipped with an adjustable headrest, tray table, seatback pocket containing the safety card, individual reading light, cabin crew call button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens. Before takeoff, the cabin crew offered blankets to passengers upon request.

I chose seat 62K, a window seat, on this flight to Saigon. The seat provided decent comfort for the journey, not the best I have experienced but satisfactory. There’s potential for PAL to upgrade their short-haul economy experience.

INFLIGHT MEAL SERVICE

Philippine Airlines serves inflight meals on their international flights. For our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, passengers were offered two main options: beef asado with rice or chicken sausage with hashbrown. The meal also included a small pack of dried mangoes, a bottle of water, and a drink of choice. The food was served individually (not on a tray), accompanied by wooden cutlery and a napkin. After the meal service, the cabin crew made another round offering coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it.

I chose the beef asado with apple juice. The meal was okay, not particularly memorable and a bit too salty for my taste. My friends mentioned that the chicken sausage option was not great either. Having tried better dishes on previous Philippine Airlines flights, this one fell short, but I still appreciate that they serve a meal on this relatively short, two-hour flight.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this flight was not equipped with traditional inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered wireless entertainment accessible through passengers’ mobile devices. To use it, passengers needed to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, they could scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The wireless entertainment system provided a decent selection of movies, TV shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving inflight map, although the map itself was not interactive.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines offers Wi-Fi connectivity on this flight, but it is limited to accessing the airline’s wireless entertainment system. Full inflight Wi-Fi for browsing the internet or using instant messaging apps is not available.

LAVATORY

Seated by the window, I did not get the chance to visit the lavatory during the short flight.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew on this flight were warm and friendly, greeting and serving every passenger with their biggest smiles. They truly embodied the genuine heart and hospitality of the Filipino people.

Disembarkation

The aircraft touched down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport ahead of schedule, landing at 8:13 a.m. local time. It then taxied to the international terminal for disembarkation.

Business class passengers disembarked first, followed by the rest of the economy passengers. Immigration took about 20 minutes, while baggage claim and customs were quick and hassle-free.

Flight Experience

It was another pleasant experience flying with the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. After flying with them to Jakarta, Indonesia last November, I found myself on another PAL flight, this time to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. The flight had its highlights as well as areas for improvement.

Let us start with the positives. First, the return ticket price was not cheap, but it was not too expensive either. As someone who usually flies budget carriers, I found the ₱8,478.14 ticket price reasonable for this two-hour flight. It included 30 kilograms of checked luggage, an inflight breakfast, wireless inflight entertainment, and an overall premium experience.

Second, Philippine Airlines ensured passengers were well-informed about airport and flight procedures. The airline clearly communicated upgrade options and the fact that the aircraft did not have personal entertainment screens, all through timely emails before the flight.

Third, I am starting to prefer NAIA Terminal 1 over Terminal 3. The check-in process at the Philippine Airlines counters took just a few minutes, and both immigration and security had minimal lines. The overall terminal experience was pleasant, despite the limited dining options in the pre-departure area.

Fourth, Philippine Airlines provided a complimentary breakfast service on this short flight. Lastly, the cabin crew were warm, friendly, and professional – truly embodying the “Heart of the Filipino.”

On the other hand, there were a few areas that could be improved. First, both breakfast options were just okay and unfortunately did not suit our tastes. The meal was also served individually rather than on trays, which would have made the service faster and more efficient, like how PAL serves meals on their Manila-Jakarta flight.

Second, the cabin is starting to show its age. I believe it is time for the airline to retrofit some of their aging narrowbody fleet with modern seats and personal entertainment screens.

Despite these points for improvement, I still enjoyed my flight with Philippine Airlines. Will I fly with them again? Definitely – if the price is right and reasonable. I am also eager to try their Airbus A350, which is used on North American routes, hopefully someday soon.

Here is a summary of my Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City:

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 22 February 2025
Flight Number: PR 591
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (SGN)
Duration: 2 hours and 9 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 62K (Window)
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9929
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 8.3-years-old
Delivered: November 2016

This sums up my experience flying Philippine Airlines on its PR 591 flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in Vietnam.

If you have flown with PAL recently, I would love to hear about your experience! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions about the airline or this route, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’m always happy to chat and help however I can!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 536 – Jakarta to Manila – A Comfortable Red-eye Flight with The Nation’s Flag Carrier [November 2024]

Last November 2024, just days before my trip to Seoul, South Korea, I flew to Jakarta, Indonesia, for work. Everything happened last-minute—the company made all the necessary arrangements only two weeks prior to the trip. They provided me with a Philippine Airlines ticket for the round-trip flight to Jakarta.

In my previous flight report, I shared my experience on Philippine Airlines flight PR 535, from Manila to Jakarta. Today, I will be detailing my return flight from Jakarta to Manila on Philippine Airlines flight PR 536.

Read on to discover why this flight, despite being a red-eye, felt surprisingly comfortable.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Philippine Airlines

Airfare & Inclusions

The company covered all expenses for this business trip, including the return flights. While I cannot disclose the exact cost of the plane tickets, I can say that they were not inexpensive, as the ticket was booked just two weeks before the intended departure date.

The Philippine Airlines ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, in-flight meals, amenities, a wireless entertainment system, and excellent service from the cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders only need to present their valid passport and the eTravel QR code when entering the country. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to provide additional documents, such as a valid visa or an onward departure ticket. These requirements can vary depending on nationality, so it is always best to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date entry information.

Before The Flight

Forty-eight hours before the flight, Philippine Airlines sent an email offering a neighbor-free seat for as low as USD 50. Then, 24 hours before departure, the airline sent another notification informing me that online check-in was available. Unfortunately, there was no business class upgrade offered for this flight to Manila.

I checked in via the mobile app and changed my seat to 31C. Once the check-in process was complete, I received my digital mobile pass. Regular economy seat selection on Philippine Airlines flights is free during online check-in.

A few hours before the flight, I received another email from the airline informing me that the aircraft to Manila would not have personal entertainment screens. Instead, passengers could access the entertainment system via their mobile devices after connecting to the in-flight Wi-Fi.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Jakarta to Manila flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by a 10-year-old Airbus A321-231 (as of the time of the flight). The aircraft was delivered to the airline in November 2014 and carries the registration RP-C9917. It features 12 recliner business class seats, 18 extra legroom economy seats, and 169 regular economy seats.

Flight PR 536 took off from Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 1:58 a.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of 35,000 feet, and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 6:38 a.m. local time. The flight duration was 3 hours and 40 minutes.

In 2019, I flew with the country’s largest airline, Cebu Pacific Air, on the same route to Jakarta but only paid $24 one-way. Check out the flight report here: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 759 – Manila to Jakarta – ₱1,236 ($24) International Flight To Indonesia.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines operates out of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Philippine Airlines’ check-in counters were divided into three lines: one for business class passengers and status holders, another for economy class passengers who checked in online, and a third for regular economy check-in.

Check-in counters opened exactly three hours before departure. My colleagues and I lined up at 10:25 p.m. and completed check-in in about 20 minutes. The ground staff were quick and efficient.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, we cleared immigration and final security before walking to our assigned gate, Gate 5. I did not visit the lounge because I did not want to leave my colleagues at the boarding gate.

BOARDING

Priority boarding commenced at 1:05 a.m. Business class passengers, airline status holders, and those traveling with infants were called first. Economy class passengers boarded according to their assigned seats and boarding groups.

At 1:35 a.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors, and the entire boarding process was completed in 30 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 1:37 a.m. and made its way to the runway for takeoff. The flight boarded slightly late due to the late arrival of the Manila to Jakarta flight.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Jakarta Philippine Airlines flight was operated by a 10-year-old Airbus A321-231. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also in a 3-3 arrangement.

According to the airline’s website, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 37 inches, a seat width of 22 inches, and a recline of 6 inches. Each economy extra legroom seat offers a seat pitch of 34 inches, a seat width of 18 inches, and a recline of 5 inches. The regular economy seat has the same seat width and recline but a slightly smaller seat pitch of 30 inches.

Every economy seat is equipped with a pillow, a blanket, an adjustable headrest, a tray table, a seatback pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual reading lights, a cabin crew button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens.

I was seated in 31C (an aisle seat behind the economy extra legroom section) on this nearly 4-hour flight to Manila. I was pleasantly surprised to find a blanket (thank you, PAL!) in my seat, as our Manila to Jakarta flight did not provide one. PAL’s A321 economy seats are decent—not the best, but comfortable enough for a short-haul flight. The adjustable headrest is especially useful on red-eye flights like this one.

INFLIGHT MEAL

Philippine Airlines served dinner on this red-eye flight to Manila. Thirty minutes after takeoff, the cabin crew began the meal service. They offered two main options: chicken with mashed potatoes or fish with rice and vegetables. The meal was served with a salad, a bread roll with butter, a slice of chocolate cake for dessert, and a drink of your choice. The meal was presented on a tray with plastic cutlery and a napkin.

After the dinner service, the cabin crew went around again to offer coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it. Unlike the Manila to Jakarta flight, no pre-landing drinks were offered on this flight.

I opted for the chicken with mashed potatoes and chose apple juice and water as my drinks. The portions were generous and filling. Overall, it was another solid meal service from Philippine Airlines.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this Manila flight is not equipped with inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered entertainment options via passengers’ mobile devices. Each passenger needs to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, passengers can scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The airline’s wireless entertainment system offered a decent selection of movies, television shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving in-flight map. Unfortunately, the in-flight map was not interactive, unlike those of Peach Aviation and Scoot.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines offers Wi-Fi connectivity on this flight, but it is limited to connecting to the airline’s wireless entertainment system. Inflight Wi-Fi for browsing and instant messaging is not available.

LAVATORY

I was seated by the aisle, but I did not get the chance to visit the lavatory. I was asleep for most of the flight, and every time I woke up, the rear lavatories were always occupied.

Cabin Crew Service

The airline’s cabin crew service is known for being warm and friendly. Philippine Airlines brands itself as “The Heart of the Filipino,” and true to that, the cabin crew on this flight embodied the brand and provided the best possible service to all its guests.

Although it was a challenging time of day (early morning), the crew managed to pull it off. They were all smiles, from boarding to meal service and through to disembarkation.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane touched down at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport at 6:38 a.m. local time. The crew announced a by-row disembarkation process, but most passengers did not follow the protocol.

Disembarkation, immigration, and luggage claim took less than an hour.

Flight Experience

It was a comfortable red-eye Philippine Airlines flight from Jakarta to Manila. Everything was in place for a pleasant journey.

First, I was surprised to find a blanket on the seat, as our late-night Manila to Jakarta flight didn’t provide one initially. From check-in and boarding to disembarkation, everything went smoothly. Second, the cabin temperature was cold enough to help me sleep for a few hours. I normally don’t sleep well on planes, but this flight was an exception.

Third, the meal portions were just right—enough to fill you up without being too much. The meal tasted great, and the chicken was particularly tasty. Lastly, the cabin crew service was top-notch. The crew had the best smiles, even though it was during the wee hours of the morning.

On the other hand, the plane’s cabin interiors are starting to show their age. The airline needs to begin refitting their short-haul aircraft to match the flying experience of other international full-service airlines.

Nevertheless, it was still a great flight with Philippine Airlines. I will definitely fly with them again in the future, and I hope to do so on one of their widebody aircraft. I also look forward to trying their short and long-haul business class products.

I am sharing you the summary of this flight from Jakarta to Manila:

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 16 November 2024
Flight Number: PR 536
Route: Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 31C
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9917
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 10-years-old
Delivered: November 2014

Thank you for joining me on today’s flight report of Philippine Airlines’ PR 536 from Jakarta to Manila. Overall, it was a comfortable red-eye flight with great service, though there’s room for improvement in the cabin interiors. The smooth journey and attentive crew made it a pleasant experience, and I look forward to flying with Philippine Airlines again.

Have you flown internationally with Philippine Airlines before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to the Asia Pacific or North America? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below, or send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond!

I hope you will check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines, as well as other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Qantas. I also hope you look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, please consider liking, following, and sharing my social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. This will help increase my reach and keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and I will see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 535 – Manila to Jakarta – An Unplanned First International Flight with PAL [November 2024]

In November 2024, just a few days before my planned trip to Seoul, I flew to Jakarta, Indonesia, for business. This was my first time visiting our local office, where I met my colleagues and attended a company trade show. The trip came together at the last minute: in late October, just two weeks before the scheduled departure, my boss invited me to join the team in Jakarta. I accepted, and the business trip was set.

Our company arranged everything, from flight tickets and hotel accommodations to travel insurance and airport transfers, all on short notice. They booked me on Philippine Airlines. This flight report will focus on my journey from Manila to Jakarta aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 535. Believe it or not, this was my first-ever international flight with the airline. Although I have traveled to several countries, I had never flown with PAL before.

Read on to find out what it is like to fly with Philippine Airlines on the Jakarta route and hear about my first-ever international PAL flight experience.

I also wrote about the return flight on Philippine Airlines flight PR 536. Check out the said flight report here.

Philippine Airlines

The airline also offers a lifestyle and loyalty program called Mabuhay Miles. It is the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from the air transport rating organization Skytrax. Philippine Airlines is known for its warm and heartfelt hospitality, which is uniquely rooted in Filipino culture.

Airfare & Inclusions

Since this was a business trip, I did not have to pay for the flights. The company booked my ticket just two weeks before the trip and paid around ₱XX,XXX for the round trip. Given that it was a last-minute booking, the ticket was expensive.

The Philippine Airlines ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, inflight meals, amenities, a wireless entertainment system, and commendable service from the onboard cabin crew.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders do not need a visa to enter Indonesia for tourism or business purposes. We are granted a 30-day, visa-free, non-extendable stay. Upon arrival, passengers are only required to register online or complete an entry form at the airport. This process generates a QR code, which can be used to enter the country via the electronic gates.

Additionally, all passengers departing the Philippines must fill out their details and obtain a QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

48 hours before the flight, Philippine Airlines sent me two separate emails—one offering me the chance to bid for a business class seat starting at USD 330, and the other asking if I wanted a neighbor-free seat starting at USD 50. Then, 24 hours before the flight, the airline sent another notification informing me that online check-in was available.

I logged into the mobile app and checked in for the flight. I selected seat 48K (window) for this nearly 4-hour journey to Jakarta. As soon as I completed the check-in process, I received my digital mobile pass. Regular economy seat selection on Philippine Airlines flights is free of charge during online check-in.

A few hours before the flight, I received another email from the airline informing me that the aircraft to Jakarta would not feature in-seat entertainment systems. Instead, passengers could access the entertainment system via their mobile devices after connecting to the inflight Wi-Fi.

Aircraft & Flight Information

The Manila to Jakarta flight on Philippine Airlines was operated by an 8.7-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321-231 aircraft. Delivered to the airline in March 2016, the plane is registered as RP-C9925. It features 12 recliner business class seats and 187 standard economy seats. Additionally, it has three rows of extra legroom economy seats (rows 21 to 23), which are available for purchase at an additional fee, included within the regular economy section.

Flight PR 535 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:18 p.m. local time and landed at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta at 11:53 p.m. local time. The flight duration was 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

Philippine Airlines’ international flights operated out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

I arrived at the airport about 4 hours before my flight. I waited for my colleagues, who I was traveling with, before we headed to the check-in counters together.

Philippine Airlines has dedicated check-in counters for business class passengers, status holders, premium economy passengers, and regular economy passengers. All these counters were well-manned and operational, and there was little traffic at the counters when we arrived.

My check-in process took only 10 minutes, from the time I joined the short queue to receiving my boarding pass. Bravo, Philippine Airlines!

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my colleagues and I went through immigration and the final security check. I invited them to the PAGGS Lounge and used my credit card to grant them access. Thankfully, there was space in the extension lounge, and we were accommodated right away.

We had dinner there and indulged in the lounge’s delicious pork siomai. We stayed for about two hours while waiting for our flight’s boarding time. At 8:00 p.m., we left the lounge and headed to Gate 15.

BOARDING

At 8:17 p.m., the ground staff announced boarding for premium passengers and status holders. They also called passengers traveling with infants and senior citizens.

Economy class passengers were asked to board by row. At 8:52 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors, and the entire boarding process was completed in 35 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 8:54 p.m. and made its way to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Jakarta Philippine Airlines flight was operated by an 8.7-year-old Airbus A321-231 aircraft. It features 12 recliner business class seats in a 2-2 configuration, 18 economy extra legroom seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats, also in a 3-3 arrangement.

Every economy seat is equipped with a pillow, an adjustable headrest, a tray table, a seatback pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual reading lights, a cabin crew button, and personal air vents. This aircraft does not have in-seat entertainment screens. After takeoff, the cabin crew distributed blankets to passengers who requested them.

I had seat 48K (a window seat) on this 3.5-hour flight to Jakarta. I found the seat to be adequate. It is not the best economy class seat out there, but it works. I believe the airline could still improve its short-haul inflight product.

INFLIGHT MEAL

Philippine Airlines serves inflight meals on their international flights. For this flight to Jakarta, they offered two main options: chicken inasal with rice or beef with oyster sauce and rice. The main meal came with pasta salad, a bread bun with butter, dried pineapples for dessert, and a drink of choice. The meal was served on a tray with plastic cutlery and a meal napkin.

After the dinner service, the cabin crew went around again to offer coffee, tea, or water to passengers who wanted it. The meal and drink service were completed 1 hour and 15 minutes after takeoff. A few minutes before the seatbelt sign was turned on for landing, there was another water service.

I chose the chicken inasal option and had apple juice to drink. The meal was tasty, especially the chicken inasal. The portions were also just right. I would choose the same option if offered in the future. Overall, it was a solid meal from Philippine Airlines.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

The aircraft used for this Jakarta flight is not equipped with inflight entertainment screens. Instead, the airline offered entertainment options via passengers’ mobile devices. Each passenger needs to connect to the inflight Wi-Fi and visit the myPAL aero website. Alternatively, passengers can scan the QR code found on the flyer in the seatback pockets.

The airline’s wireless entertainment system provided a decent selection of movies, television shows, and music to enjoy during the flight. It also featured a moving inflight map. I wish it had been interactive, like the wireless entertainment systems on Scoot and Peach Aviation.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

LAVATORY

I was seated by the window, so I did not have the chance to visit the lavatory during the short flight.

Cabin Crew Service

Philippine Airlines’ cabin crew service is well-known for being warm and hospitable. The airline even brands its service as “The Heart of the Filipino.” True to their branding, the crew on this flight did a fantastic job in serving the passengers.

The crew greeted every passenger with their best smiles and served the meals with a light, friendly attitude. They made sure every passenger had an enjoyable flight with Philippine Airlines. Kudos to the crew on this flight to Jakarta!

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane touched down at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport at 11:53 p.m. local time. Disembarkation, immigration, and luggage claim took about an hour.

Flight Experience

It was an ‘okay’ first international flight experience with Philippine Airlines. This Manila to Jakarta flight had both its positives and negatives. Let me elaborate on them below, starting with the good aspects.

First, the check-in experience was a breeze. There was little to no queue, and the process only took 10 minutes from lining up to getting my boarding pass. Second, the airline informed all passengers before the flight that there would be no personal entertainment screens onboard and provided instructions on how to connect to the wireless entertainment system.

Third, the chicken inasal main was superb. The chicken tasted great, and the meal portion was just right. Lastly, the cabin crew service on this flight was excellent—truly “The Heart of the Filipino.” The crew made sure all passengers were well taken care of.

This flight also had its negatives. First, the seat features felt incomplete for a full-service airline like Philippine Airlines. I hope the airline equips their new economy seats with more features in the future. Second, the cabin’s age is starting to show in its interiors. I believe it is time for the airline to refit their Airbus A321 aircraft and equip the seats with personal entertainment screens.

Lastly, the cabin temperature on this flight was on the warm side. The temperature slightly improved at cruising altitude but remained uncomfortably hot (in my opinion), even with the air vent open.

Despite these negatives, I still had a pleasant first international flight with Philippine Airlines. Will I fly with them again in the future? That is for sure. I am keen to try their economy class product with personal entertainment screens and their business class product.

Here is a summary of my Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Jakarta:

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 13 November 2024
Flight Number: PR 535
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Jakarta, Indonesia (CGK)
Duration: 3 hours and 35 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 48K
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9925
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 8.7-years-old
Delivered: March 2016

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of my first time flying internationally with Philippine Airlines on their PR 535 route from Manila to Jakarta.

Have you flown internationally with Philippine Airlines before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to around Asia Pacific or North America? If you have any questions or would like to know more, feel free to post them in the comments section below, or send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I would be happy to respond!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2927 – Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) – Domestic Comfort Class Experience on a Turboprop Aircraft [October 2024]

A few months ago, I decided to book a last-minute flight with Philippine Airlines from Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu. I opted for the airline’s domestic premium economy service, Comfort Class. This was the best option available to me, as I had been stuck in Manila for a few days due to flooding near our province.

In this post, I will discuss the second leg of my Comfort Class ticket – from Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) aboard the airline’s DH8 turboprop aircraft. I will share details about the ticket price, the ground experience at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and the inflight experience on this premium economy service.

I have already written about the first leg of the journey, from Manila to Cebu on PR 2853, also in Comfort Class. I hope you will check out the flight report here.

Philippine Airlines

In case you missed it, I post reviews and features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

I booked this Manila to Daraga (Legazpi) via Cebu Comfort Class ticket five days before the intended flight date. It cost ₱7,281 for one person. The ticket included a 25-kilogram checked luggage allowance, a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, dedicated airport check-in counters, complimentary seat selection, access to the Mabuhay Lounge (at both Manila and Cebu airports), priority boarding on both legs, a priority baggage tag, a dedicated onboard cabin, and an onboard selection of gourmet sandwich snacks.

For context, direct Manila to Legazpi (Daraga) regular economy class tickets were priced over ₱9,000 per person at the time of booking. These regular economy tickets did not include any special perks. The other competitor, Cebu Pacific Air, offered a fare almost identical to the regular PAL economy ticket, but without a checked baggage allowance.

While the Comfort Class ticket was still relatively expensive, it was a great deal compared to regular economy prices at the time of booking. It included most of the perks of business class, minus the onboard cabin and meal service.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Before The Flight

Three hours after booking the ticket, I received an email offering me the opportunity to bid for a business class upgrade. I received another upgrade offer email three days before the flight.

Twenty-four hours before the Manila to Cebu flight, I received an email notifying me that online check-in was now available. I checked in for both the Manila to Cebu and Cebu to Legazpi (Daraga) flights and received my mobile boarding passes.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Philippine Airlines flight PR 2927, from Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi), was operated by a 6-year-old (at the time of the flight) De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 Next Generation turboprop aircraft. The plane was delivered to the airline in November 2018 but was sold to another company in August 2022. It was leased back by the airline in November 2023 and re-delivered the same month. The aircraft features 6 Comfort Class seats and 80 regular economy class seats.

Flight PR 2927 took off from Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 4:31 p.m., cruised at an altitude of 14,000 feet, and landed at Bicol International Airport in Daraga at exactly 5:30 p.m. This short domestic turboprop flight lasted 59 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

CEBU DOMESTIC TRANSFER PROCESS

Philippine Airlines passengers connecting to another PAL domestic flight at Mactan-Cebu International Airport have access to a dedicated transfer and security area that leads directly to the Terminal 1 domestic pre-departure area. Passengers do not need to go to the arrival hall to retrieve their checked luggage, as it will be transferred by the airline to their next flight.

This dedicated transfer lane and security area made the domestic transfer experience quick and easy. I arrived at the domestic pre-departure area in less than 5 minutes after disembarking.

CEBU DOMESTIC MABUHAY LOUNGE EXPERIENCE

Domestic Comfort Class passengers are granted access to the domestic Mabuhay Lounge at Cebu Airport.

The lounge was spacious, with plenty of seating options. It also featured a dedicated work area for those needing to open their laptops and get some work done. Additionally, it offered more food and snack options compared to the Manila lounge.

I visited the lounge a few minutes before 2:00 p.m. and settled into one of the available workstations. I got some work done while enjoying snacks and drinks.

BOARDING

Flights operated by turboprop aircraft typically board from Gates 26A and 26B at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. This flight to Daraga (Legazpi) boarded from Gate 26B.

At 3:41 p.m., the ground staff announced boarding for all passengers. Comfort Class passengers, status holders, and those traveling with children, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens had a separate boarding queue from regular economy class passengers.

We boarded a bus to the assigned aircraft. However, after waiting for a few minutes, we returned to the boarding gate. Apparently, the Daraga station was experiencing ramp and tarmac congestion, which caused a slight delay in our boarding. At 4:10 p.m., we went back to the aircraft and the boarding process resumed.

Ten minutes later, the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The boarding process was completed in 10 minutes. The plane pushed back at 4:22 p.m. and headed to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi) flight was operated by a 6-year-old DH8 aircraft (at the time of the flight). The aircraft features 6 Comfort Class (domestic premium economy) seats and 80 regular economy class seats in a 2-2 layout. The cabin does not include the airline’s business class product.

According to the Philippine Airlines website, each Comfort Class seat has a pitch of 33 inches, while each regular economy seat has a pitch of 29 inches. All seats on this aircraft have a width of 16.92 inches and a recline of 3 inches.

Each Comfort Class seat is equipped with a seat pocket containing the aircraft safety card, an airsickness bag, and an inflight magazine. It also includes a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water. Additional features include an assigned air vent, a cabin crew call button, and a reading light.

I was assigned seat 2A for this flight to Daraga (Legazpi). The seat was comfortable, offering the most generous legroom on the flight. The extra amenities (pillow, blanket, and bottle of water) added to the overall comfort during the flight.

INFLIGHT SNACK

Comfort Class passengers are served gourmet sandwiches and a drink of their choice as inflight snacks. On our flight, the only option available was the beef sandwich. The cabin crew served the snack alongside a pack of peas and a drink, with the choice of apple or orange juice.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Philippine Airlines’ DH8 aircraft do not feature in-seat entertainment screens or inflight entertainment systems.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

Philippine Airlines does not offer inflight Wi-Fi on its domestic flights.

LAVATORY

The aircraft has only one lavatory, located in the front section of the cabin. The cabin crew regularly checked its cleanliness and ensured it was well-maintained throughout the flight.

I visited the lavatory before landing and found it to be spotless and fragrant.

Cabin Crew Encounters

The cabin crew on this flight paid special attention to Comfort Class passengers, even going so far as to open our tray tables during the snack service. They were very attentive, regularly checking in to see if we wanted more snacks or drinks.

They also greeted us with their best smiles from the moment we boarded until disembarkation.

Disembarkation

I was the first to disembark the plane due to my proximity to the aircraft door. I also received my checked luggage first, thanks to the priority tag for Comfort Class passengers.

Flight Experience

It turned out to be a memorable domestic Comfort Class experience with Philippine Airlines. Despite the unexpected challenges caused by the typhoon and bus cancellations, I’m glad I decided to stick to my planned schedule and give it a try.

Philippine Airlines’ domestic Comfort Class stands out in several ways. First, the ticket price was reasonable, especially considering it was booked just five days before the flight. It was even more affordable than the direct flights to Legazpi. Additionally, it included the perks I mentioned earlier.

Second, the domestic transfer experience at Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 1 was quick and efficient. It did not take long for all connecting passengers to reach the pre-departure area. Third, the Comfort Class ticket offered business class-like perks, such as domestic lounge access at Cebu Airport, priority boarding, and priority luggage services.

Fourth, the onboard experience was superb—from the pillow, blanket, and bottled water in the seat to the onboard sandwich service with a drink of choice. Fifth, the cabin crew on this flight was outstanding. They truly embodied the ‘Heart of the Filipino’ service, as advertised by Philippine Airlines.

On the other hand, I did notice that the aircraft’s age was becoming apparent in the plane’s interiors. I think it is time for Philippine Airlines to consider refitting the cabins across its entire fleet. Additionally, while I previously mentioned that the ticket price was reasonable, I still feel it is on the higher end of the price range. As someone who typically flies budget economy, the fare still felt expensive—but it was worth it.

Lastly, the boarding process took longer than usual. The bus had to return to the terminal due to tarmac congestion at the destination airport. It would have been ideal if the boarding process had been delayed slightly to accommodate the issue at Daraga Airport.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my Comfort Class experience with Philippine Airlines. Will I try it again? Maybe yes, maybe no. It will always depend on the circumstances. I am keen to try their retrofitted widebody business class product on the Airbus A330 or the newer cabins on the Airbus A350 aircraft.

Here is a summary of our flight and the aircraft used for the journey from Mactan, Cebu to Daraga (Legazpi):

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 29 October 2024
Flight Number: PR 2927
Route: Cebu, Philippines (CEB) to Daraga (DRP) (Legazpi), Philippines
Duration: 59 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 2A
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 Next Generation
Aircraft Registration: RP-C5912
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada Engines
Age: 6-years-old
Delivered: November 2018

Overall, my experience with Philippine Airlines’ Comfort Class was a positive one. Despite a few minor setbacks, the service and comfort made it worth the price. If you are considering a more comfortable domestic flight, I would recommend giving it a try.

Have you flown Philippine Airlines in their Domestic Comfort Class? How was your experience? Will you fly with them again in that class? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Post your questions in the comments section below, or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines and other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next flight report!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.