Category: Philippine Airlines

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 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.

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 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

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 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.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2853 – Manila to Cebu – First PAL Domestic Comfort Class Experience – Was the Last-Minute Booking Worth It? [October 2024]

A few months ago, I ended up booking a last-minute flight with Philippine Airlines to get from Manila to Legazpi (Daraga) via Cebu. I went for their premium economy option, Comfort Class. This was not the original plan, but I had been stuck in Manila for days because of canceled bus trips and major flooding near our province, which made road travel impossible. With my tight schedule, flying was my only real choice.

In this post, I will share how the first leg of the trip went—from Manila to Mactan, Cebu. I will break down the ticket price, talk about what you get with Comfort Class, and let you know if I thought it was worth it.

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 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

This Manila to Legazpi (Daraga) via Cebu comfort class ticket was booked 5 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, Mabuhay Lounge access (both in Manila and Cebu airports), priority boarding on both legs, a priority baggage tag, a dedicated onboard cabin, and an onboard gourmet sandwich snack selection.

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

The comfort class ticket was still expensive but a great deal compared to the regular economy prices at the time of booking. It included most of the perks of business class passengers, minus the onboard cabin and meal experience.

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 immediately 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 date.

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

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Manila to Cebu Philippine Airlines flight PR 2853 was operated by a 9.4-year-old Airbus A321ceo (at the time of the flight). The plane was delivered to the airline in June 2015. It features 12 business class seats, 18 comfort class seats, and 169 regular economy class seats.

Flight PR 2853 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:37 p.m., cruised at an altitude of 31,000 feet, and touched down at Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu at 1:34 p.m. This short domestic flight took only 57 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

Philippine Airlines’ domestic flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

CHECK-IN & BAG DROP

Comfort class passengers have dedicated check-in counters on the right side of the terminal.

I arrived at the airport a little past 9:00 a.m. and was surprised to see a deserted comfort class check-in area. I was immediately attended to, and I completed the bag drop process in less than 5 minutes. The ground staff were all cheerful and helpful.

DOMESTIC MABUHAY LOUNGE EXPERIENCE

After check-in, I cleared security and went to the pre-departure area. I checked our assigned gate and then went to the lounge to eat and work. Comfort class passengers have access to the Mabuhay Lounge near Boarding Gate 10.

The lounge offered a variety of snacks, drinks, and, of course, Philippine Airlines’ famous arroz caldo. The food options were just right for a short domestic flight. The lounge became busy after 10:00 a.m., with almost all seats occupied by passengers. It also featured fast Wi-Fi, clean toilets, and a shower.

BOARDING

At 11:25 a.m., the ground staff announced that our flight would be delayed by a few minutes due to additional ground servicing of the assigned aircraft. Thirty-five minutes later, the staff announced boarding for business class passengers and status holders. Comfort class passengers (us) followed, and economy class passengers boarded last.

At 12:20 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The entire boarding process took only 20 minutes. The plane was pushed back at 12:22 p.m. and headed to the runway for takeoff.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Cebu flight was operated by a 9.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321ceo aircraft. The aircraft features 12 business class seats in a 2-2 layout, 18 comfort class seats in a 3-3 layout, and 169 regular economy seats in a 3-3 layout.

According to the Philippine Airlines website, each business class seat has a seat pitch of 37 inches, a seat width of 22 inches, and 6 inches of recline. Both comfort class and regular economy seats have a seat width of 18.1 inches and 5 inches of recline. Comfort class seats offer more legroom at 34 inches, while regular economy class seats have 30 inches of legroom.

Each comfort class seat has a front seat pocket containing an aircraft safety card, an air sickness bag, and an inflight magazine. It also comes with a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water. The seat also includes an assigned air vent, a reading light, and an adjustable headrest. Each row has cabin crew call buttons and two universal power outlets. These outlets are available for free use after takeoff. The cabin also features the older overhead compartments, which can only accommodate limited luggage.

I had seat 21A for this short flight to Cebu. The seat was comfortable, with generous legroom. The additional amenities (pillow, blanket, and bottle of water) provided extra comfort during the flight.

INFLIGHT SNACK

Comfort class passengers are given gourmet sandwiches and a drink of their choice as inflight snacks. Our flight had two sandwich options: Chicken Waldorf Sandwich or Crunchy Salmon Sandwich. I chose the chicken option and enjoyed the fresh and tasty treat. I also had apple juice as my beverage.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A321ceo aircraft do not feature in-seat entertainment screens. The airline offers a wireless entertainment system accessible via passengers’ mobile devices through the aircraft’s wireless connection.

I do not know if this wireless entertainment system was available on this domestic flight. I didn’t bother to check, given the short duration of the flight.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

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

LAVATORY

I did not have the chance to visit the lavatory on this flight to Cebu.

Cabin Crew Encounters

I had limited interactions with the cabin crew on this flight, but I found the service to be warm and hospitable. The crew served the snack with her warmest smile.

I saw the cabin crew helping the elderly lady in seat 21C from the time she boarded the plane, during meal service, and upon disembarkation.

Disembarkation

The plane touched down at Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 1:34 p.m. and headed straight to Terminal 1, Gate 10, for disembarkation. Business class passengers got off the plane first. Comfort class passengers followed, while regular economy passengers left the plane last.

Passengers with connecting flights were escorted through transit security and made their way to the domestic pre-departure area. Those arriving in Cebu collected their luggage at carousel 5.

Flight Experience

It was a memorable domestic comfort class experience with Philippine Airlines. It was unexpected (due to the typhoon and bus cancellations), but I am glad I decided to give it a try to stick to my planned schedule.

Philippine Airlines’ domestic comfort class excels in the following areas. First, the ticket price was reasonable, considering it was booked 5 days before the intended flight date. It was even cheaper than the available direct flights to Legazpi. It also included perks that I have discussed above.

Second, the comfort class experience included dedicated airport check-in counters and domestic Mabuhay Lounge access. Third, the ticket also included business-class-like perks, such as priority boarding and priority luggage tagging.

Fourth, the onboard amenities included a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water for a domestic flight. Lastly, the onboard snack service included a gourmet sandwich and a drink of choice, which was very welcome for a short domestic hop to Cebu.

On the other hand, I noticed that the aircraft’s age is starting to show in the plane’s interiors. I believe it is time for Philippine Airlines to refit the cabins across its entire fleet. Also, I want to mention the cost of the plane ticket. While I mentioned above that it was reasonable, I believe it is still on the higher end of the price range. For someone who always flies on cheap economy tickets, the ticket price is still expensive – but worth it. 😉

I enjoyed my first-ever domestic 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 on trying their retrofitted widebody business class product on the Airbus A330.

Here is a summary of our flight and the aircraft used for this flight from Manila to Mactan, Cebu:

Airline: Philippines Airlines
Flight Date: 29 October 2024
Flight Number: PR 2853
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Cebu, Philippines (CEB)
Duration: 57 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 21A
Aircraft: Airbus A321-200
Aircraft Registration: RP-C9924
Engines: 2 x International Aero Engines V2500
Age: 9.4-years-old
Delivered: June 2015

Thank you for joining me in this flight report. 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.

Flight Report: PHILIPPINE AIRLINES PR 2920 – Daraga (DRP formerly Legazpi LGP) to Manila – Last-Minute Mabuhay Miles Redemption Ticket to the Metro [December 2022]

Hey, long time no post! Not many of you know, but I recently finished a 24-day trip around Paris, Italy & Barcelona. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to start writing about the trip. I’ve been busy with Christmas festivities & reunions since I arrived back from Europe. Don’t worry, I will start writing about them in the next few weeks.

For today, I want to share with you my recent experience with Philippine Airlines on their PR 2920 flight from Daraga, Albay (DRP – formerly LGP Legazpi) to Manila (MNL). This flight was unique because it happened during the 1st day of using the new 3-letter DRP airport designator code & it was booked using Mabuhay Miles – Philippine Airlines’ loyalty program. Join me in today’s flight report & find out how this flight went.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines, commonly known as PAL, is the Philippines’ flag carrier. The airline started operations back in 1941 & is currently the region’s oldest commercial airline. Majority of the stake in PAL is owned by PAL Holdings under Dr. Lucio Tan – also the owner of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates – LT Group. World-famous ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways, also owns a minor stake in the airline.

Philippine Airlines operates around 60 Airbus, Bombardier & Boeing aircraft to over 40 international & 31 domestic routes. Its hubs are located in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark & Kalibo. PAL is the country’s biggest full-service airline offering premium experience to its passengers. They offer business class, premium economy & economy class to most of its routes.

PAL is not a member of any airline alliance but has code-share flights with major carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air & many more. PAL also has its own frequent flyer program called Mabuhay Miles. PAL is also the only Philippine-based carrier to receive a 4-star rating from world-renowned air transport rating organization Skytrax.

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

Airfare & Inclusions

It’s not a secret that airfares are more expensive during the festive season. Many people take advantage of the Christmas holidays & go home to their respective hometowns. The demand for plane seats is higher than usual. I didn’t have a fixed schedule at that time, so I had no choice but to book the ticket last-minute. The one-way bare fares for both Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air at the time of booking were at around ₱4,000 to ₱5,000 without baggage. On the other hand, there were no available CEB Super Pass seats on my preferred flight.

I checked my Mabuhay Miles account & saw that I have enough miles to use for a one-way ticket to Manila. I immediately redeemed these miles using the airline’s portal & booked this PR 2920 flight from Daraga to Manila. I used 4,500 miles & only paid ₱870 for taxes & fees. The redeemed Mabuhay Miles ticket included 7-kilogram carry-on baggage, 20-kilogram check-in baggage allowance & a free standard (non-aisle & non-exit) seat.

I may have used up most of my Mabuhay Miles, but I believe I got a good deal with this ticket. I booked it 9 days before the intended flight date during a peak travel period. I was also happy that the ticket included a free check-in baggage allowance. This ticket was definitely a steal!

Travel Requirements

There are no COVID-19 related travel requirements between Albay & Metro Manila. These requirements were abolished a few months ago. The process & requirements are back to the old times where passengers were only asked to bring a valid ID during counter check-in & sometimes, boarding.

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

2 days before the flight, I received an e-mail from Philippine Airlines that Bicol International Airport’s designator code will be changed from LGP to DRP effective December 15, 2022. This e-mail required passengers to accept the said changes. Unfortunately, it resulted in an error on the Philippine Airlines website. Minutes after the initial e-mail, I also received an email from the airline containing the official announcement of changing the airport designator code to DRP. I immediately called the airline & had my ticket sorted.

24 hours before the flight, I received another airline from Philippine Airlines informing me that online check-in was already available for my flight. I checked in right away for my flight. The new Philippine Airlines mobile application displayed my mobile boarding pass & the flight details on the homepage.

Flight Information

This Daraga (DRP) to Manila (MNL) flight was operated by a 15.2-year-old Airbus A320-214 aircraft. The plane was initially delivered to Philippine Airlines in November 2007. The plane was initially configured with 12 business class seats & 144 economy class seats but was reconfigured to 180 all economy class seats in May 2022.

PR 2920 took off from Bicol International Airport 22 minutes behind schedule at 5:17pm. The flight took 50 minutes & landed smoothly at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 6:07pm. The flight landed 12 minutes behind schedule.

Ground & Airport Experience

CHECK-IN

I arrived at Bicol International Airport 2 hours & 45 minutes before the flight & I was surprised to see the check-in counters open that early. I went to the counters to drop my luggage & get my paper boarding pass. Check-in process took less than a minute – no queues, no whatsoever.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went up to the pre-departure area & waited for the flight. Bicol International Airport’s pre-departure area has more food & pasalubong store choices now compared to when it opened back in October 2021. There’s a dedicated laptop area for those who need to do some work while waiting for their respective flights. There are charging stations on both sides – provided by Smart & Philippine Airlines; there are a lot of seats to choose from.

The Philippine Airlines ground staff informed passengers of the expected aircraft arrival time after it departed Manila. The plane touched down at 4:25pm.

BOARDING

Boarding process started at 4:42pm. Priority passengers, senior citizens & those travelling with kids boarded the plane first. Regular passengers followed. Everyone boarded the plane using the jet bridge & only through the front door. The boarding process finished at 5:07pm.

Please note that face masks are mandatory on all flights within the Philippines. The ground staff announced this during the boarding process.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Philippine Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft has 180 seats in an all-economy class cabin configuration. Each row has 6 seats divided into 2 by an aisle. According to SeatGuru, all seats on this Airbus A320 aircraft have a seat width of 19.7 inches. Economy plus seats have a seat pitch / legroom of 34 inches, while standard economy seats have a legroom of 29-30 inches.

Each seat features a tray table, a small pocket with the aircraft safety card, individual air vents & reading lights. The seats don’t feature personal entertainment screens because this type of aircraft is only used in domestic short haul services.

I got window seat 54K for this flight. The seat had a decent recline & a clean tray table. The seatbelt needs to be replaced since it’s already worn out. In fact, most of the seats on this flight are already worn out. These are still functional but would need some refit soon.

INFLIGHT SNACK

After take-off, the crew went around & gave out a pack of green peas & dried mangoes with a cup of water. Philippine Airlines is the only domestic major carrier that offers complimentary snacks on board. Better than nothing.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Philippine Airlines did not offer inflight entertainment options for this flight & aircraft. The flight only took 50 minutes & this additional feature isn’t essential.

LAVATORY

I didn’t get the chance to visit the lavatory on this Airbus A320 aircraft. The 3 lavatories were occupied throughout the flight. Some even queued for a few minutes just to use the lavatory.

Cabin Crew Service

Philippine Airlines brands their service as the ‘Heart of the Filipino.’ The cabin crew on this Legazpi to Manila flight embodied that way of service & gave their best in catering to the needs of the passengers. They welcomed all passengers with their best smiles & helped in putting passengers’ bags in the overhead compartment. They gave passengers the best possible service they could provide. Kudos!

Disembarkation & Baggage Claim

The cabin crew implemented an organized disembarkation process for this flight. They called 5 rows at a time & asked passengers seated on these rows to stand up, get their bags & disembark. All passengers followed & got off the plane in an orderly manner.

Baggage claims didn’t take long. Our check-in bags were already at Carousel 4 a few minutes after we arrived at the baggage claim area.

Final Thoughts

It was another excellent flight with Philippine Airlines. The positive points outweighed the negative points by a mile.

Let’s start with the positive points. First is miles redemption & value for money. This flight only cost 4,500 Mabuhay Miles & ₱870 worth of taxes & fees. This was a steal considering the redemption ticket was booked 9 days before the intended flight date & during peak travel season. The original flights were priced at 4.5x the fare I paid above. Second, the redemption ticket already included 20 kilograms of check-in baggage allowance. This allowance could easily cost ₱500 if you booked the regular ticket. Third, the check-in counters opened earlier than the usual 2 hours before the flight schedule. This made the check-in process easier & faster as the ground staff didn’t have to deal with a lot of passengers at a time.

Fourth, Philippine Airlines still gives out complimentary snacks on a short domestic hop like this from Daraga to Manila. I flew with Singapore Airlines on their Singapore to Kuala Lumpur & Kuala Lumpur to Singapore routes & I was only given a drink of choice – no nuts, crackers or whatsoever. Props to PAL for keeping the onboard service. Fifth, it’s been a while since I experienced an orderly disembarkation process on a plane. The crew on this flight managed to ask all passengers to follow the disembarkation process they organized. Lastly, the cabin crew on this flight was excellent. Their quality of service was top-notch – indeed the Heart of the Filipino.

This flight wasn’t perfect. The flight left Bicol International Airport 22 minutes behind schedule & landed 12 minutes after the intended schedule. These delays are inevitable in a congested airport like Ninoy Aquino International Airport, but it still somewhat affected the whole flight experience. Second & finally, the seats on this Airbus A320 aircraft need some refit. The seatbelts are already worn out & could use some replacement.

Will I fly them again in the future? Definitely – it’s a no-brainer. I hope I can also fly their international sector in the future.

For those interested in the nerdy details of this flight, see below:

Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Date: 15 December 2022
Flight Number: PR 2920
Route: Daraga, Albay (DRP) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 50 minutes
Seat Number: 54K
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Aircraft Registration: RP-C8610
Engines: 2 x CFM International Engines
Age: 15.2 years old
Delivered: November 2007

Have you flown with Philippine Airlines recently? How was your experience with the country’s flag carrier? Feel free to share your personal experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about flying Philippine Airlines? You may post them below or you may send an e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s flight report. Stay tuned for the next one coming in shortly. I also have a few flights lined up in the coming weeks & months. Before you go, can you visit my social media channels –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.