Hello! You’re welcome, I am happy to hear PAL has listened to my feedback and will try to improve, as that is one of the main goals of my videos. I very much appreciate the apology. It’s nice to see that PAL listens and acknowledges constructive criticism instead of dismissing or ignoring it. I’ll keep that in mind if anything comes up. I genuinely hope that PAL can improve, and I look forward to flying PAL again to see that. Thanks again for your apology and watching my review. I wish PAL all the best!

Out of all of the trip report I’ve seen this is the second airline to ever respond on the video. This is crazy.

@@prezziej-dab6028 Yeah! It’s very refreshing to see. Quite impressive really!

nakakahiya kayo PAL habol habol din sa pagimprove pag may time

Never seen an airline reply to an average Joe blogger (sans someone like Sam or Josh lol). I feel Philippines airline can be improved, could Philippines domestic move out from terminal 2 and international from 1, and all relocate to terminal 3. And cebu moves to terminal 1/2 or whatnot.

Yeah. The Filipinos do definitely deserve better.

Lol indian airpots are far worse, and don't start with the food in air india

For a full service airline yeah 😂

still better than 787

Yea but Philippine Airlines does have a nicer A330 cabin with a 2-4-2 configuration with inflight entertainment

While I understand the sentiment, you also have to consider the market. Pal uses these mostly on high density domestic routes where Cebu Pacific would eat them alive if PAL were to use normal 2-4-2 layout. The philippines is not Europe, or the US where legacy airlines can aim for wealthier travelers who are willing to pay more for non-ULLC treatment

@@HelloOnepiece Flew to Manila with Cebu Pacific on an A330-Neo, with the 3-3-3 seating arrangement. The aisles were very narrow, I reckon 20 inches tops, so I found my knee and elbow were often in the way as I was in an aisle seat. Gate 116 was a strange one at NAIA, as the queue was on two flights of stairs, with the baggage checkers etc right inside at the foot of the stairwell. I also think Cebu Pacific I guess reasonable base their seating capacity on the size of the average Filipino, as an example my wife who is 5' 3" and 50 kilos would have plenty of room. But me being about 115 kilos, I was a bit more spacially challenged, although I wasn't squashed against the middle seat passenger.

Thank you so much! Yeah makes sense, it still gets you from A to B.

Yep. I think NAIA T1 is particularly bad though.

@@Aviation763 PAL is also used to saying "sorry" and "promising" that they will improve but they haven't done anything. They also used to cancel some of their flights on short notice (they will wait for there passengers to arrive at the airport and then boom, announce that the flight will be delayed) And all of the NAIA Terminals are terrible. Hot, uncomfortable, crowded and noisy.

PAL has an identity crisis and seems to be trying to match low cost carrier Cebu Pacific. Horrible in all aspects because no one wants to pay more for a budget product, and why would customers gamble on them when their equipment isn't consistently premium.

Thank you so much! I’m so happy to hear that. Yeah, as mentioned in the video the A330 operates the MEL route roughly 30% of the time atm. I do believe their A350 is pretty good! It’s just a shame they only have 2 of them.

As mentioned in the video, it’s true that they are usually used for Middle East flights however they are used roughly 30% of flights to MEL, so while it’s a bit more common to get the refurbished cabin IMO that’s too high of a percentage.

I think they will do that after they receive their new a350-1000s

Yeah agreed.

Yeah makes sense

Hello! Thanks for sharing! It was probably an A321neo you flew on. Yeah it really is a shame, I really hope PAL picks up their game and becomes one of the best. Yeah SQ is great based on my experiences. I'd certainly like to go back to the Philippines, and give PAL another chance as well. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much!

Yeah it is a little disappointing. As I said in the video, a lot of the time PAL used refurbished A330s with IFEs on this route, but there was still a fair amount of these higher density aircraft operating. If you're flying from MEL-MNL with PAL in a month, PAL is currently leasing an A330 from Wamos Air which operates this route, I believe those aircraft feature IFEs, but it's possible they won't work since I think its probably a wet-lease, but I;m not too sure. Hope that helps and that you have a good flight!

hows ur flight? i will got that flight too lol i bit worried abt having to pick my back and open and etc, need to arrange the timing right

Thank you! Yeah, I wasn’t really aware of that either until I took this flight.

Ikr! Until I feel confident PAL might of improved if I were to do this route again (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) I’d pick Cebu pacific!

It's been years, maybe even decades, since that's the case. Even their "business class lounge" is laughable.

You’re welcome! Yeah…

That’s lucky that you get to fly PAL business, but yeah Manila airport is very annoying to transit through.

Yep! You’re welcome, I’m glad!

I am aware of that, and I did mention that this was the high density configuration as well as the fact there's around a 30% chance of getting this older high density config.

that doesn't change the fact that they still use the old configuration on the same route & getting the new configuration plane is based on luck.

Yeah, that's what I mean by it doesn't seem like they're aiming to retrofit more A330s with a full service cabin, they seem to be doing the opposite. Hopefully that changes.

Thank you! Yeah, it was strange. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much!

Thank you so much!

oh please!

@@danjo1967 Bro thinks he works for the airline or smth 💀

Thank you! Yeah I agree.

just wana say that is not the newest cabin btw don't forget about the pal wifi portal they stream movies

@@Rizzler21-i3q having new cabins dont matter if they still randomly use the shitty old ones for some flights

@@j134679 btw theres an app called my pal player its just does the same as ide

@@j134679 and also they are planing to retro fit all if then

Thank you!

Thank you so much! From what I've seen T3 certainly looks better!

fly Emirates, Cathay, Singapore, or ANA from T3 for the best possible Manila Airport experience (though still just decent compared to other airports)

Wow

They’re actually building a brand new airport to decongest NAIA. New Manila International Airport located in Bulacan. It’s not finished yet, they’re still building it.

It was the worst in 2011 I think (correct me if I’m wrong)

Yeah. If they’re gonna have high density seats they should advertise that and not advertise a full service carrier.

They have an identity crisis lol. No one I know flies PAL. We'd rather connect in Singapore or Dubai if flying west, Japan if flying east, and Hong Kong for south to Australia. Almost always choose the competing carrier of the destination country precisely because PAL is inconsistent & could give you a Cebu Pacific level of service for more than what Cebu Pacific charges. AND CEBU PACIFIC FLIES FROM THE BETTER TERMINAL 3! PAL has literally no upsides for middle class Filipinos 😂😂

Purely based on memory this bag check thing happens just be for you can board your fight and because I had a 2 hour connection or so so it was close to boarding time I think

@@Aviation763 thx mate, i going to layover in Manila for 10 hours, planning to enter immigration and try Filipino food, then back to NAIA, need to time my situation if we have to open our checked luggage every bit of info will very helpful for planning :)

That would make some sense, PAL at least seems to have great crew though.

Thank you so much! Yeah it is a shame

These should downgrade this airline to SkyTrax 3 stars

Cool! Best of luck getting the refurbished A330!

Thanks. Will have to wait and see and I will update you after my Philippine airlines flight to the middle east next month for vacation. Jayden Wong flew PAL, Airbus A330-300 in the newer cabin with 2-4-2 configuration in economy class from Manila to Sydney in the summer of 2022 and his flight is good.

Greetings. Last Tuesday, I flew Philippine airlines, Airbus A330-300 in economy class for the 1st time from Manila to Dubai, flight is almost full and flight is good and okay, 8 and a half hours. Before my flight, I was looking forward to fly Philippine airlines, Airbus A330-300 in the newer cabin with in flight entertainment and 2-4-2 configuration in economy class. But unfortunately, once I enter the plane, I realize were flying the high density configuration (RP-C8782) in a very tight 3-3-3 economy class with no in flight entertainment TV and I was disappointed for a 8 and a half hour to Dubai. My experience, good, pillow, blanket, amenity kit, hot towel and 2nd full hot meal is appreciated, 1st meal, choice of chicken with rice or beef, I went with the chicken with rice, it taste good and okay, not the best. Pro, pillows and blankets are waiting in my seat, which is good and appreciated on a long haul flight, cup holder is appreciated if I don't want to hold the cup of water for too long, they have universal power outlet underneath every 3 seat, which is good to charge my tablet and laptop, after takeoff, the crew give out amenity kit (include toothbrush, toothpaste, eye shade or eye mask and socks, which is highly appreciated on a long haul flight) in economy class, which is super rare there days. I recline my seat and it's good, in the lavatory, they have paper cup, but too small, which is good to rinse my mouth and brush teeth, 2 hours before landing, for the 1st time, the crew hand out hot towel in economy class, which is super rare these days, good to freshen up and appreciated, and a 2nd full hot meal on a 8 and a half hour long haul flight, wow, choice of chicken with rice or beef, I went with the chicken with rice, it taste good and delicious, better than the 1st meal. Con, no in flight entertainment TV for a 8 and a half hour flight to Dubai, seat width is not good than 17 inches, almost not enough shoulder room to share with my seatmate, legroom is not good, 30 inches (I am 5'7) when I recline, it's almost worse, no air vent (except row 66 to 68) on a 8 and a half hour flight to Dubai, making the cabin a little warm, I went to some lavatory, water for washing hands is not working (until I ask the crew to fix the broken water (it's not leaking water) for washing hands in the lavatory and it's fix) (Thanks), and instead of silverware, it's wooden spoon, fork and breadknife, which I don't like because it can break easily. Things that wow me and made my day, after takeoff, the crew give out amenity kit (include toothbrush, toothpaste, eye shade or eye mask and socks, which is highly appreciated on a long haul flight) to everyone in economy class, which is super rare there days, a hot towel, 2nd full hot meal (2 hours before landing) on a 8 and a half hour and the chicken with rice taste good and delicious, better than the 1st meal. Improvement, refurbished 3-3-3 configuration in economy class to 2-4-2, refurbished older plane that has the high density configuration, install in flight entertainment TV and air vent for everyone, make the seat width 18 inches, which is normal and little wide, legroom of 32 to 34 inches and provide silverware spoon, fork and bread knife, instead of wooden, which I don't like because it can break easily. My rating, 3 to 3.5/5 star (Reason is on all information description).

Yes haha. Yeah it was a very unpleasant experience. Thank you so much!

Yeah I’m not too sure, maybe it’s only for transit passengers idk.

If PAL is always like it was on this flight I’d agree, but I hope they’d be at least a little bit better on their A350z

Yeah it kinda is. Me too!

Yeah it’s insane. They do have some very tempting Business class fares from Southeast Asia to AU. Thanks for sharing!

The endless bag checks is to check if there's anything valuable they could filch. It's nothing to do with security.

Thanks! The seat map should show the 3-3-3 configuration, but from my experience the plane could change less than 24 hours before the flight. PAL changes planes often. Lucky! Yeah…

Cool. Did you have to transit in MNL?

@@Aviation763 no I stayed the night in Manila and flew out on air swift the next day because I heard that MNL was a pain 😭

SQ A380 over this any day of the week!

Yeah it’s really not ideal…

Idk 😂

@@Aviation763 I will certainly avoid transiting at NAIA based on your experience. What kind of airport makes you go down to a room to “verify” your bag?

@@Aviation763 What kind of family items did they take might I ask?

Yeah they would. You’re welcome, I’m glad I could help :D

Yeah you’d think so.

Yeah… while it is more common to see a refurbished A330 on this route it’s not that much more since about 30% of the time the high density plane is used.

You're welcome! I'm happy to hear I could help! Awesome! From memory it was roughly 2 hours.

Thank you so much! I’m glad you think so. I hope to be a bit different though, in that I don’t want to properly review flights rather than just showcasing the experience.

Yeah… it’s disappointing

Wrong. PR competes with Cebu Pacific and it shows. They crank out their best product to the US since it was a monopoly but now United has entered the SFO route. You know it's bad when United is turning out to be the preferred option on an Asian route!

Yeah it's a very uncomfortable configuration...

PAL is famous in the Philippines for overbooking. Locals avoid them if the trip is important & cant be rescheduled.

Yeah!

Yup, shame on Philippines.

For a full service carrier, yeah it is!

@@Aviation763And no IFE this airline should be downgraded to SkyTrax 3 stars.

Yeah! I could be wrong but I believe its the only cabin of a full service carrier to have 3-3-3 on an A330.

I didn't say PAL was terrible, and I don't believe that NAIA is the worst airport, but transit there was an absolute nightmare.

No it was 3-3-3 as mentioned in the video. Customer service was friendly but very slow and confusing. Seat pitch and width were bad. Yes I did.

Would love to spend some time there one day!

14 actually

Yeah there was a thunderstorm while I was transitting in Manila.

Hi! Yeah I'm aware of that, I did mention that in the video. There's a roughly 30% chance that the MNL-MEL route will be operated by one of these high density configuration planes.

Actually it was not fine it was outstanding amazing service ok food and good IFE in my opinion

Yeah I imagine on the refurbished A330 it’d be just fine, the problem is there’s no guarantee you’ll get it and about 30% of the time you’ll get the high density A330.

As I mentioned in the video, that may be correct, but PAL aren’t reconfiguring any and are actually reconfiguring some refurbished ones to a high density config.

That’s certainly another area where they fall behind, but for me it’s the 3-3-3 configuration on the A330 and MNL.

Yeah!

never flew PAL to Australia. Qantas is cheaper than them, and I guess way better.

Yeah, I have realised that's probably a good idea.

Yeah they do need to step up their game to compete.

From memory nearly 1, It was very difficult with the seat pitch and width.

I see.

Window size might be a bit unnecessary I suppose 😂

Nope, I was with family on this flight.

There’s no IFE’s in any class, not even Business Class!

@@Aviation763 that's a good enough reason not to even bother booking a ticket on them without all the bs at a manila transfer

Yes they do, and also on some refurbished A330s and 777s.

Yeah!

Yeah I’ve heard it’s up there.

Thanks for your concern! I wasn’t alone on this flight :)

I'm sorry to hear that that's how you feel.

As I mentioned in the video, 30% of the time it’s the high density A330 on this route. Which in my opinion considering how bad it is it’s not worth the gamble. Covid is no excuse for this anymore I don’t think. I agree they need to be more consistent and had potential to be one of Asia’s best again but it’ll take a LOT of change.

@@Aviation763 I feel they atleast got their domestic game good. Always a pleasure. Thanks for replying to my comment mate, keep up the good work

Yes I know. But why do the other airlines including the airlines of the neighboring countries of the Philippines are doing so well compared to Philippine Airlines? Those countries did overcame pandemic too.