Author: Paolo

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

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

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 OnePlus 9 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.

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

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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 with a slightly smaller seat pitch of 30 inches.

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

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 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!

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 OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: BUNK GUESTHOUSE HOSTEL – Highly Rated and Welcoming Accommodation in Seoul’s Vibrant Hongdae District

In November 2024, I flew to Seoul, South Korea, with my friends to rediscover the city I had visited 8-9 years ago. I stayed for 9 days and 8 nights, overlapping with my friends’ time in Seoul. During those 8 nights, my friends and I stayed at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in Hongdae.

Join me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature as I share why this welcoming hostel is highly rated by all its guests.

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel is a highly-rated guesthouse/hostel in Hongdae. The property consists of two multi-story buildings, offering both shared dormitory rooms for budget travelers and private rooms for those who prefer their own space.

Brian, the property host, along with his staff, runs Bunk Guesthouse Hostel, ensuring that all guests have an unforgettable trip to Seoul. The property provides a wide range of facilities and amenities that guests can enjoy throughout their stay.

Location & Access

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel is located at 19-1, Wausan-ro 29ra-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04053, South Korea. It is in a quiet yet pleasant part of Hongdae, just a 4-minute walk from Exit 6 or Exit 7 of the Hongik University Station on the Airport Railroad (light blue line), and an 8-minute walk from Exit 8 of the same station on the Metro Subway Line 2 (green line).

The hostel is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. The nearest convenience store is about a 2–3-minute walk away, while the closest supermarket is around 10 minutes on foot. The bustling main area of Hongdae is about an 8–10-minute walk away.

The property is approximately 25 to 30 minutes by subway from Gimpo International Airport, 52 to 60 minutes from Incheon International Airport, and just 13 minutes from Seoul Station, the main station for KTX.

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel’s location is a solid 10 out of 10. It is on the quieter side of the lively Hongdae area but still close to hundreds of commercial establishments. It is also easily accessible by public transportation, with convenient access to both the Airport Railroad and Metro Subway Line 2.

Room Options & Cost

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel offers a wide range of room options to suit both budget travelers and those traveling in pairs or groups. The hostel provides both shared dormitory rooms and private ensuite rooms.

The shared dormitory rooms come in the following configurations: a 6-bed mixed dormitory room, a 4-bed mixed dormitory room, and a 4-bed female-only dormitory room. Each dormitory room is equipped with bunk beds, each featuring privacy curtains. Every bed includes a shelf, an individual reading light, a locker, and a power socket. The dormitory rooms also have air conditioning, and the shower areas are shared or ensuite, depending on the room.

The private rooms include several types: economy double room, standard double room, deluxe double room with kitchenette, double room with balcony, twin room with bunk bed, standard twin room, deluxe twin room, and family room. All private rooms come with a private toilet and bath, and some even feature private balconies.

My friends and I stayed at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel for 8 nights. We booked the family room (with 1 full bed and 2 single beds) with balcony for the first 4 nights, paying ₩476,928 (after discounts) for 4 people. For the last 4 nights, we stayed in a twin room with bunk beds, paying ₩309,365 (after discounts), not including the booking website’s mark-up. We booked the first 4 nights through Booking.com and the last 4 nights via Agoda.

My share for the 8-night stay at Bunk Guesthouse, which covered both room types, was ₱13,243.97, averaging roughly ₱1,655.50 per night. This is a very affordable price, considering the property’s prime location, complimentary breakfast, and the amenities and facilities available during my stay.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Free & Fast Wi-Fi – All guests have access to complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi, which is perfect for those working remotely.

Complimentary Breakfast – Bunk Guesthouse Hostel offers a simple, free breakfast. Guests can make their own sandwiches or fried eggs, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea, or a cold glass of fruit juice. On weekends, the property adds cup noodles to the breakfast options.

Communal Lounge Spaces – The property features communal lounge areas where guests can relax, unwind, or socialize with others.

Patio – Bunk Guesthouse Hostel has an outdoor patio where guests can chill or pass the time. The patio is open until 2:00 a.m., as long as guests are mindful of noise after midnight.

Rooftop Area – The hostel has a communal rooftop offering an additional space to relax. Guests can use the rooftop until 11:00 p.m.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – Guests are welcome to buy groceries and cook their own meals in the shared kitchen, and enjoy their meals in the common dining area.

Unlimited Drinking Water Refills – Bunk Guesthouse Hostel provides unlimited drinking water refills to all its guests. The water dispenser is located near the refrigerator. Be sure to bring your own water container.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are equipped with both air conditioning and heating systems, ensuring comfort throughout the year.

Complimentary Bath & Face Towels – The hostel provides complimentary bath and face towels, which can be replaced daily.

Guest-only Tours & Seasonal Activities – Bunk Guesthouse Hostel offers exclusive tours and seasonal activities, such as DMZ tours and weekly BBQs with other guests. Brian, the host, shares these details upon booking confirmation.

Hostel Drink Shop – The hostel offers beers and bottles of soju for those who wish to enjoy a drink. Please ask the reception for updated prices and availability.

Laundry Facilities – A laundry room is available from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a minimal fee for guests who wish to wash their clothes during their stay.

Luggage Storage – Bunk Guesthouse Hostel provides free luggage storage before check-in and after check-out. Guests can leave their bags near the reception while waiting for check-in or their departure.

Multi-Lingual, Friendly & Welcoming Host and Staff – Brian and his team are incredibly friendly and welcoming. They ensure everything runs smoothly during your stay and are always ready to help. They also speak fluent English.

Secured Room Access – Rooms are only accessible via a pin code provided to guests upon check-in. Each room has a unique code, ensuring that only the designated guests can enter their rooms.

Secured Hostel Premises – The premises are equipped with 24/7 CCTV surveillance for added security. The property can only be accessed by guests, with doors always locked and secured by pin codes, provided only to guests upon check-in.

Hostel Experience

My friends and I had a wonderful stay at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel in Hongdae, South Korea. It is one of those places you will want to return to time and time again.

Several factors contributed to our fantastic experience. First, the hostel’s location is excellent. It is situated on a quiet street in the lively, bustling Hongdae area, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, and barbecue spots. It is also just a few minutes’ walk from both Metro Subway Line 2 (Green Line) and the Airport Railroad.

Second, Bunk Guesthouse Hostel has cozy common areas in both the main building, the second building, and even the patio. These areas are clean, quiet, and relaxing—perfect for unwinding. They are also ideal for those who need to get some work done during their stay, as the property offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi.

Third, the property provides a simple but decent breakfast. They even include cup noodles as a breakfast option on weekends.

Lastly, Brian, the host, and his team are truly fantastic. They are friendly, welcoming, and service-oriented. They helped us carry our large luggage to our rooms and made sure we had everything we needed. They go above and beyond to ensure guests have a great experience from check-in to check-out. Brian even invited us to join the Saturday BBQ with other guests—too bad we had other plans that night!

However, we did encounter a few minor inconveniences during our stay. These did not ruin our overall experience but did leave a small dent in our otherwise wonderful time. First, the complimentary towels were a bit small. While I did not mind using them, some guests may find them inconvenient.

Second, the twin bunk room was a bit small, though it did offer a private toilet and shower. The only time we found this to be inconvenient was when packing the night before check-out, as we could only open one medium/large suitcase at a time.

Despite these minor setbacks, we still had an amazing stay at Bunk Guesthouse Hostel. Would I book again for my next visit to Seoul? Definitely. Would I recommend it to my friends and readers? Absolutely. Make sure to check out the property and consider it for your next trip to Seoul—you are sure to have a fantastic time!

If you have any questions about Bunk Guesthouse Hostel or an upcoming stay, feel free to reach out to them through the following channels:

Bunk Guesthouse Hostel
Address: 19-1, Wausan-ro 29ra-gil, Mapo-gu, Mapo-Gu, 04053 Seoul, South Korea
Phone Number: +82 70 8703 0045
Email Address: bunk.seoul@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +82 10 9180 6905
Line: bunk2015
WeChat: bunk2015
KakaoTalk: bunk2015
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/bunk2015

That concludes my post about Bunk Guesthouse Hostel. What are your thoughts on the hostel? If you have any questions regarding anything mentioned above, do not hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out to me via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome, Yesinn Youth Hostel in Hong Kong, Yeah Hostel in Barcelona, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel in Tokyo, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in Osaka, and  Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

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, hostel of the day features, and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

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

Flight Report: QANTAS QF 19 – Sydney to Manila – Daytime Intercontinental Journey Back to the Philippines [September 2024]

In September 2024, our company organized a trip for us to Sydney, Australia, where we attended workshops and participated in a company trade show. The trip included three full days of work, followed by two additional days for leisure. We traveled to and from Sydney with Qantas, Australia’s national carrier. This flight report will focus on our journey from Sydney to Manila on QF 19.

Join me as I share the details of flying with Qantas, Australia’s largest airline and one of the world’s safest. I will also provide insights into my experience on this daytime intercontinental flight back to Manila.

In case you missed it, I also shared my flight experience with Qantas’ Manila to Sydney on flight QF 20. Check out the flight report here.

Qantas

Qantas is Australia’s national carrier. Founded in 1920, the airline’s first flight took place in November 1922. Initially known as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, it primarily served Queensland and the Northern Territory. Over the years, Qantas underwent several expansion and transformation programs, eventually becoming Australia’s largest domestic and international airline. It currently operates flights to over 100 domestic and international destinations from its main hubs in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Qantas also flies to all habitable continents.

Qantas has several subsidiaries, including QantasLink, Qantas Loyalty, Qantas Freight, Jetstar, and Jetconnect. The airline and its subsidiaries operate a fleet that includes Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, and Fokker aircraft. As of March 2025, the parent company, Qantas, has over 120 active aircraft, with an additional 60+ on order.

Qantas is a full-service airline offering a range of amenities, including free checked luggage, meals and snacks, personal entertainment screens, and more onboard. It is also one of the founding members of Oneworld, a major global alliance that includes airlines like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and American Airlines. Additionally, Qantas has a loyalty program called Qantas Frequent Flyer, allowing members to earn status points and miles when flying with the airline or through its non-airline partners.

As the third-oldest airline in the world, based on its foundation date (behind only KLM and Avianca), Qantas consistently ranks among the World’s Safest Airlines, a distinction it has maintained since the awards’ inception in 2014.

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.

Airfare & Inclusions

Since this was a work trip, I did not pay for the flights. The company booked our tickets a little over three months in advance and paid ₱XX,XXX for the roundtrip. They chose a higher fare class that allows for a refund with a small fee, rather than opting for the cheaper non-refundable option.

The Qantas ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, 30 kilograms of checked baggage, inflight meals and snacks, inflight amenities, personal entertainment screens on both flights, and excellent service from the cabin crew.

The ticket price was typical for flights to Australia—while it is not as cheap as Cebu Pacific Air, it is slightly higher than fares with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

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, Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Travel Requirements

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

I have applied for an Australian visa several times and explained the process in a previous Tuesday Tips post. You can find the details on how to apply for an Australian visa here.

Before The Flight

Four days before the flight, Qantas sent an email to remind passengers about the upcoming trip. The email included flight details, travel document requirements such as passport and visa, baggage information, and other services like seat selection, special requests, a Qantas Frequent Flyer reminder, and information about the Qantas mobile app.

24 hours before the flight, the airline sent another email informing passengers that online check-in was now available. The email also outlined step-by-step procedures at Sydney Airport, from check-in to boarding. We all completed online check-in and received our mobile boarding passes immediately.

Aircraft & Flight Information

The Sydney to Manila Qantas flight was operated by a 20.4-year-old Airbus A330-303 (at the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in June 2004, the aircraft is registered as VH-QPE and is named Port Lincoln. It features 28 lie-flat business class seats and 269 regular economy seats.

Flight QF 19 took off from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 12:33 p.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of up to 38,000 feet, and landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:32 p.m. local time. The flight duration was 7 hours and 59 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

International Qantas flights depart from the International Terminal at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Qantas check-in kiosks are located at Counter C. Passengers are required to check in using the kiosks, print their boarding passes and bag tags, and then proceed to the bag drop area to check in their luggage for the cargo hold.

The check-in and bag drop process took less than 5 minutes. The Qantas check-in area was well-staffed, and one of the attendants kindly assisted my friend/colleague with checking in his luggage.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in and bag drop, we proceeded through immigration and security. My friend and I stopped by The House Lounge by Aspire to grab a bite before the flight. The lounge offered a great selection of food and drinks, along with an excellent view of the tarmac. It even had unlimited sparkling wine and Aperol spritz, which the Filipina bartender recommended.

Around 11:30 a.m., we left the lounge and walked to our assigned boarding gate, Gate 31.

BOARDING

At 11:35 a.m., the ground staff announced boarding for premium passengers and status holders. Economy class passengers were called to board next, organized by row.

The cabin crew closed the airplane doors at 12:15 p.m. The entire boarding process took 40 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 12:20 p.m., five minutes later, and made its way to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Sydney to Manila flight was operated by a 20.4-year-old Airbus A330-300 (at the time of the flight). The aircraft features 28 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and 269 standard economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout.

According to SeatGuru, each lie-flat business class seat offers a seat pitch of 73 inches and a seat width of 23 inches. The seats provide spacious legroom, a large entertainment screen, a seat console, and several storage compartments. Additionally, passengers are provided with a large pillow, blanket, and noise-canceling headphones. The business class cabin consists of 7 rows arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring that each passenger has direct aisle access.

The middle and rear sections of the aircraft are equipped with 269 economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Each economy seat offers a seat pitch of 31 inches and a seat width of 17 inches. Amenities include a personal entertainment screen, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, a USB charging port, a power outlet beneath the seat, and small under-screen storage. The seats also come with an adjustable headrest, a pillow, a blanket, and a seatback pocket containing an aircraft safety card, a magazine, duty-free pamphlets, and headphones. Additional features include individual air vents and a cabin crew call button.

For my daytime flight to Manila, I chose seat 46B in the rear economy cabin. I found Qantas’ seats to be quite comfortable, and I appreciated the provided pillow and blanket. The recline function worked well, making the flight more relaxing.

INFLIGHT MEAL & SNACKS

Once we reached cruising altitude, the cabin crew distributed a bottle of water to each economy class passenger. The pre-lunch service began with a pack of crackers and a drink of choice, and I opted for a small bottle of white wine.

About an hour after takeoff, the cabin crew started serving lunch. They offered three meal options: Sichuan tofu with oyster mushrooms and rice, chicken schnitzel parmigiana with mashed potatoes, and stir-fried black bean beef with capsicum and rice. Each main meal came with rosemary garlic focaccia bread, ice cream, wooden cutlery, and a drink of choice. The crew also went around for a second drink service, offering coffee, tea, or water, along with Tim Tam chocolates.

I chose the chicken schnitzel parmigiana and paired it with apple juice. Unfortunately, I found the chicken a bit bland. However, the caramel maple ice cream helped redeem the meal, providing a sweet and enjoyable finish.

Throughout the flight, the cabin crew made several rounds offering random snacks like chocolates, cookies, and crackers. About an hour and a half before arrival, they served the pre-landing snack, which included veggie pizza and a butter chicken puff. I chose the butter chicken puff and had another glass of apple juice. While it was not exactly to my taste, it was decent and filling.

Qantas certainly ensured that passengers would not go hungry on this daytime flight to Manila.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All Qantas aircraft used on international flights are equipped with entertainment screens. The airline offers a wide range of entertainment options, including movies, television shows, audiobooks, and music playlists.

The entertainment system also features an inflight map that tracks the flight path and provides details about the journey to Manila. I tried to watch a movie during this daytime flight, but I did not manage to finish it. Instead, I spent most of the flight chatting with my friend.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The aircraft used for this flight was not equipped with Wi-Fi at the time, which means we did not have Wi-Fi connectivity during this flight to Manila.

LAVATORY

I used the middle lavatory twice and found it to be spotlessly clean. It had the basic amenities, though it was missing the toothbrush and napkin provided on our Manila to Sydney flight. Additionally, it did not have moisturizer or perfume, which are available on some other airlines.

Cabin Crew Encounters

Just like on our Manila to Sydney QF 20 flight, the cabin crew on this flight was friendly and chatty. I also noticed that during boarding, the crew welcomed us aboard and addressed each passenger by their last name. Additionally, the cabin crew made inflight announcements in both English and Filipino.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:32 p.m. local time. Disembarkation and immigration took less than 30 minutes, and we were at the luggage claim area by 7:00 p.m.

Flight Experience

It was another pleasant flight experience with Qantas, this time on a daytime intercontinental flight from Sydney to Manila. The positives of the flight certainly outweighed the negatives. Allow me to list them below.

I mentioned this in my previous QF 20 flight report, and I will mention it again here: In a world where checked luggage allowances are often limited to 23 or 25 kilograms, Qantas offers a generous 30-kilogram checked luggage allowance, regardless of fare class.

Secondly, the seat comfort and amenities on this flight were top-notch. While the seat may not have the thick padding of Cathay Pacific’s, it still provided a comfortable experience on this nearly 8-hour flight to Manila. Third, the seats featured individual air vents, allowing passengers to control the airflow at their seats—a feature that is slowly disappearing in many new aircraft.

Fourth, the cabin crew ensured that all passengers stayed well-fed throughout the flight. They made several rounds offering snacks between meals. For me, the caramel maple ice cream was the highlight of the lunch service. Lastly, despite handling numerous requests from passengers, the cabin crew remained friendly and chatty. The service was relaxed and not rushed.

Now, for the aspects that felt lacking. First, the lunch meal did not include an appetizer (such as a salad) or a fruit bowl. Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific often include these items even on shorter flights. Additionally, I found the chicken parmigiana to be bland and not to my liking.

Second, the middle lavatory lacked some essential amenities, such as dental kits, which are especially useful on long flights like this. While these can easily be requested from the crew, it would have been more convenient to have them available for use from the start.

In summary, this daytime intercontinental flight was pleasant. While it may not have been perfect, it was definitely an improvement over my QF 20 experience to Sydney. Though I would consider flying with Qantas again if the price is right, I am more likely to choose another airline for a better overall experience.

Here are more details about my flight from Sydney to Manila on Qantas QF 19:

Airline: Qantas
Flight Date: 29 September 2024
Flight Number: QF 19
Route: Sydney, Australia (SYD) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 7 hours and 59 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 46B (aisle)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-303
Aircraft Registration: VH-QPE
Engines: 2 x General Electric CF6-80E1A3
Age: 20.4-years-old
Delivered: June 2004

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of my first time flying with Qantas on their QF 19 route from Sydney to Manila. From the generous luggage allowance to the friendly crew and the comfort of their Airbus A330, I have shared the highlights and areas for improvement during my flight experience.

Have you flown with Qantas before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to Australia or beyond? 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 Philippine Airlines. 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 OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: QANTAS QF 20 – Manila to Sydney – First Time Flying the Spirit of Australia [September 2024]

In September 2024, my colleagues and I flew to Sydney, Australia, to attend workshops and a company trade show. We stayed for three days of work, followed by two additional days of leisure. We flew with Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas. Our flight from Manila to Sydney on QF 20 will be the focus of today’s flight report.

I have visited Sydney twice before, flying with Cebu Pacific Air and Singapore Airlines. Join me as I share my experience flying with the Spirit of Australia and compare it to the other airlines I have flown with.

Qantas

Qantas is Australia’s national carrier. Founded in 1920, the airline’s first flight took place in November 1922. Initially known as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, it primarily served Queensland and the Northern Territory. Over the years, Qantas underwent several expansion and transformation programs, eventually becoming Australia’s largest domestic and international airline. It currently operates flights to over 100 domestic and international destinations from its main hubs in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Qantas also flies to all habitable continents.

Qantas has several subsidiaries, including QantasLink, Qantas Loyalty, Qantas Freight, Jetstar, and Jetconnect. The airline and its subsidiaries operate a fleet that includes Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, and Fokker aircraft. As of March 2025, the parent company, Qantas, has over 120 active aircraft, with an additional 60+ on order.

Qantas is a full-service airline offering a range of amenities, including free checked luggage, meals and snacks, personal entertainment screens, and more onboard. It is also one of the founding members of Oneworld, a major global alliance that includes airlines like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and American Airlines. Additionally, Qantas has a loyalty program called Qantas Frequent Flyer, allowing members to earn status points and miles when flying with the airline or through its non-airline partners.

As the third-oldest airline in the world, based on its foundation date (behind only KLM and Avianca), Qantas consistently ranks among the World’s Safest Airlines, a distinction it has maintained since the awards’ inception in 2014.

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.

Airfare & Inclusions

Since this was a work trip, I did not pay for the flights. The company booked my ticket a little over three months before the planned trip and paid around ₱XX,XXX for the round trip. The fare was on the expensive side because it included a cancellation option for a minimal charge. Our company opted not to choose the cheaper, non-refundable fare.

The Qantas ticket included a 7-kilogram carry-on allowance, a 30-kilogram checked baggage allowance, inflight meals and snacks, inflight amenities, personal entertainment screens on both flights, and excellent service from the onboard cabin crew.

This was the usual Qantas fare for a round trip to and from Sydney. I have flown with other airlines, like Cebu Pacific Air and Singapore Airlines, which sometimes offer cheaper fares to Sydney.

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, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Travel Requirements

Regular Philippine passport holders are required to obtain a visa to enter Australia. Since I was traveling for work, I applied for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) under the Business Visitor visa stream. I submitted my visa application in July and was granted a visa with a five-year validity in less than 14 hours after the online submission, and within an hour of my biometrics appointment. The business visitor visa process is nearly identical to the tourist visa process, except for some additional required documents.

All departing Filipino passengers from Manila are required to fill out their details and obtain a QR code from the eTravel website.

I have applied for an Australian visa several times and explained the process in a previous Tuesday Tips post. You can find the details on how to apply for an Australian visa here.

Before The Flight

Four days before the flight, Qantas sent an email reminding passengers about the upcoming trip. The email included flight details, travel document requirements such as passport and visa, baggage information, and other ancillary services like seat selection, special requests, a reminder about Qantas Frequent Flyer, and information about the Qantas mobile application.

24 hours before the flight, I received a notification from the mobile app that online check-in was now open for my flight. I did not check in online, as I was flying with a group of work colleagues, and we all agreed to check in together at the airport.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Manila to Sydney Qantas flight was operated by a 20-year-old Airbus A330-303 aircraft (at the time of the flight). Delivered to the airline in October 2004, the plane is registered as VH-QPD and is named Port Macquarie. It features 28 lie-flat business class seats and 269 regular economy seats.

Flight QF 20 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:08 p.m. local time, cruised at an altitude of up to 39,000 feet, and landed at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 6:26 a.m. local time. The flight lasted 7 hours and 18 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

Qantas operates out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

My colleagues and I began lining up for check-in at 4:40 p.m. Due to Australia’s strict border policies, all our luggage underwent a security check before we were allowed to proceed to the check-in and bag drop counters.

Check-in and bag drop were quick and easy after the security check. It took me less than 5 minutes to complete everything. The entire check-in process, from lining up to receiving my boarding pass, took 20 minutes.

PRE-DEPARTURE

My colleagues and I cleared immigration and security (which took an hour) after the bag drop and headed straight to the PAGGS Lounge for dinner. My locally issued credit cards grant complimentary access to this lounge—no payment needed.

After dinner, we went directly to Gate 115. There, we underwent another security check and discovered that liquids, such as bottled water, are not allowed. We sat down and waited for boarding.

BOARDING

At 7:55 p.m., the ground staff announced boarding for premium passengers and status holders. They also called those traveling with infants and senior citizens.

Economy class passengers were asked to board by row. At 8:25 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The entire boarding process took 30 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 8:41 p.m. and made its way to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Sydney flight was operated by a 20-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A330-300 aircraft. It features 28 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and 269 regular economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout.

According to SeatGuru, each lie-flat business class seat has a seat pitch of 73 inches and a seat width of 23 inches. Each seat offers spacious legroom, a large entertainment screen, a seat console, and several storage spaces. It also includes a large pillow, blanket, and noise-canceling headphones. The business class section consists of 7 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, providing each passenger with aisle access.

The middle and rear sections of the aircraft have 269 standard economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout. Each economy seat has a seat pitch of 31 inches and a seat width of 17 inches. Each seat is equipped with a personal entertainment screen, a foldable tray table, a coat hook, a USB charging port, a power outlet beneath the seats, and small under-screen storage space. Each seat also features an adjustable headrest, a pillow, a blanket, and a seatback pocket containing an aircraft safety card, magazine, duty-free pamphlets, and headphones. Additionally, the seats have individual air vents and a cabin crew call button.

For this overnight flight to Sydney, I was assigned seat 48A in the rear economy cabin. I found Qantas’ seats to be just right. I appreciated having a pillow and blanket on the seat, though I was not pleased with my seat’s faulty recline function.

INFLIGHT MEAL & SNACKS

The cabin crew began dinner service immediately after reaching cruising altitude. They first served cashew nuts and a bottle of water to each economy class passenger. The dinner service was briefly paused due to turbulence.

Once the seatbelt sign was turned off, the crew quickly resumed service. They offered three options: noodles with vegetables, pork with rice, and chicken with tomatoes. Each main meal came with a hot garlic bread roll, ice cream, wooden cutlery, and a drink of choice. I chose the pork with rice and apple juice as my drink. The cabin crew did not conduct a second drink service; instead, it was available upon request.

Midway through the flight, the cabin crew went around offering chocolates and drinks to those who were awake. An hour and a half before landing, they offered a breakfast snack to passengers still awake. They served a hot mango turnover and a drink of choice, which for me was apple juice.

Qantas ensured that passengers were well-fed throughout this overnight flight to Sydney.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

All Qantas aircraft used on international flights are equipped with entertainment screens. The airline offers a wide variety of entertainment options, including movies, television shows, audiobooks, and music playlists.

The entertainment system also displays the inflight map, flight path, and updated flight details leading to arrival in Sydney. I found the touchscreen system to be responsive throughout the flight. I did not watch anything, but instead, I kept the inflight map displayed for the duration of the flight.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The aircraft used for this flight was not equipped with Wi-Fi at the time, which means we did not have Wi-Fi connectivity during the flight to Sydney.

LAVATORY

I visited the rear lavatory and found it to be spotlessly clean. The lavatory had toothbrushes and sanitary napkins available for guests who needed them. However, it did not have moisturizer, sanitizer, or perfume, which are typically provided by other airlines, like Singapore Airlines.

Cabin Crew Encounters

The cabin crew on this flight were friendly and relaxed. They even engaged in casual conversations with some of the passengers during the meal service.

One cabin crew member accidentally spilled water on my friend during the breakfast snack service. She immediately apologized and offered napkins to clean up the spill.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

The plane touched down at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport at 6:25 a.m. local time. Disembarkation and immigration took about 25 minutes.

We were already at the baggage claim area before 7:00 a.m. and received our bags in no time.

Flight Experience

I had a generally pleasant experience on this overnight Qantas flight from Manila to Sydney. The flight had both positive and not-so-positive aspects. Allow me to break it down for you.

Let us start with the good aspects. First, in a world where checked luggage allowances are often limited to 23 or 25 kilograms, Qantas offers a generous 30-kilogram allowance for checked luggage, regardless of fare class.

Second, the seat amenities on their Airbus A330 provided the right comfort for an overnight flight like this. Although the seats were not as thickly padded as those on Cathay Pacific, they included a pillow and a warm blanket. Additionally, each seat had individual air vents that passengers could adjust during the flight.

Third, the airline made sure passengers had access to snacks in case they got hungry during the flight. Lastly, the cabin crew service was relaxed and friendly. The crew were not rushed and even engaged in small talk with passengers during the meal service.

Now, for the not-so-good aspects. The cabin temperature was on the warmer side during boarding and until takeoff. It only normalized once we were airborne. Second, my seat did not recline at all, which made it difficult to sleep comfortably during the flight.

Lastly, I expected more from the dinner service. They only served the main dish, a bread roll, ice cream, and a drink of choice, after offering nuts and water as a pre-dinner snack. Other airlines like Singapore Airlines, on their flights to Sydney, include a salad or fruit bowl and butter for the bread roll in their meal service. I recently flew Cathay Pacific from Tokyo Haneda to Hong Kong on a 4-hour flight, and I noticed the airline served more (in the main meal service) than what Qantas provided on this 7-hour flight to Sydney. Stay tuned for that flight report!

In summary, my first experience with Qantas was a mix of positives and areas for improvement. The generous 30-kg luggage allowance, comfortable seating, and friendly crew were highlights, but the warm cabin temperature and limited dinner service were drawbacks. While I would consider flying with them again if the price is right, I am more likely to choose another airline for a better overall experience.

Here are the geeky details of this flight from Manila to Sydney on Qantas QF 20:

Airline: Qantas
Flight Date: 24 September 2024
Flight Number: QF 20
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Sydney, Australia (SYD)
Duration: 7 hours and 18 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 48A (window)
Aircraft: Airbus A330-303
Aircraft Registration: VH-QPD
Engines: 2 x General Electric CF6-80E1A3
Age: 20-years-old
Delivered: October 2004

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of my first time flying with Qantas on their QF 20 route from Manila to Sydney. From the generous luggage allowance to the friendly crew and the comfort of their Airbus A330, I have shared the highlights and areas for improvement during my flight experience.

Have you flown with Qantas before? How was your experience with the airline? Are you considering booking a ticket with them for your next trip to Australia or beyond? 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 Philippine Airlines. 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 OnePlus 9 Pro.