Tag: Manila

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 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: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on our Expensive Flight Back to Manila [April 2024]

A few months ago, my friends and I flew to Japan for the cherry blossom season. We flew in and out of Nagoya, but we mostly went around the Kansai Region. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air on both flights to and from Nagoya.

Previously, I shared with you how our 5J 5038 Manila to Nagoya went. Today, I will share details about our outbound flight on Cebu Pacific Air’s flight 5J 5039 from Nagoya to Manila. Join me in today’s flight report to know how my friends and I got unexpected inflight treats on this flight back to Manila.

Cebu Pacific Air

Cebu Pacific Air is not a new airline in this website; it is actually my most-reviewed airline here. Cebu Pacific Air is the country’s largest low-cost carrier. The airline is owned by Cebu Air, Inc. which is part of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates, JG Summit Holdings.

The airline commenced its first flight in 1996 and has been flying for over 28 years. Together with its subsidiary, Cebgo (previously Tiger Air Philippines), the airline flies to over 60 destinations across the country, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. It operates over 70 young and fuel-efficient jet and propeller aircraft. Cebu Pacific Air operates the narrow-body and wide-body aircraft while its subsidiary operates the propeller passenger and cargo aircraft.

The airline has a lifestyle and loyalty program called Go Rewards. The airline has opened the opportunity for every Filipino to fly domestic and international at extremely low prices compared to its industry rivals. It is known for its ₱1-base fare promotions offered a few times a year.

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 Philippine Airlines. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

Promotional fares are nonexistent for peak seasons like Sakura or Golden Week in Japan. In fact, airfares are priced double or triple compared to regular day fares.

My friends and I had no choice but to book regular fares on our flight back to Manila. We booked our return ticket with Cebu Pacific Air and paid ₱10,691.49 one-way. We booked this in Japanese Yen, so the final ticket price includes foreign currency transaction fees charged by my local bank.

This expensive one-way outbound ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 2 x 20 kilograms (40 kilograms in total) of checked baggage allowance, and a standard seat of choice. This ticket is on the higher end of the price range because it falls during the peak Sakura time in Nagoya and during a public holiday in the Philippines. The tickets on competing airlines are priced 1.5 times, if not double, the price we got.

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 are only required to present their valid passports and the E-Travel QR code when entering the country’s borders. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to present other requirements, such as a valid visa or onward departure ticket. These requirements vary from one nationality to the next. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities regarding the updated entry requirements.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

BEFORE THE FLIGHT

Cebu Pacific Air sends three email reminders to all its passengers for every upcoming flight.

72 hours before the flight, the airline sent an email reminder about the luggage allowance and the travel requirements for the Philippines. 48 hours before the flight, the airline sent us an email informing us that online check-in is now available for our flight. The airline also included a step-by-step process on how to check in online.

24 hours before the flight, Cebu Pacific Air sent another email detailing the airport check-in process as well as reminding us about the required online departure card. The airline does a good job of keeping their passengers informed about everything that is needed for an upcoming flight. Kudos, CEB!

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Nagoya-to-Manila Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 5039 was operated by a 3.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The plane was delivered to the airline in November 2020. Features a single economy class cabin with 235 pre-reclined seats.

Flight 5J 5039 took off from Chubu Centrair International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time, cruised an altitude of 36,000 feet, and touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 4:42 p.m. local time.  The flight took 4 hours and 13 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

Cebu Pacific Air operates out of Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 2, the terminal where many low-cost airlines are assigned to.

Terminal 2 is deserted compared to Terminal 1, with only a handful of flights operating daily. During our flight, only 5 international flights (including our flight) were expected to fly out of the terminal for the rest of the day. This makes the ground and airport experience quick and efficient.

CHECK IN & BAG DROP

Passengers flying Cebu Pacific Air must check-in and print their boarding passes and bag tags using the kiosks. Those with checked baggage then proceed to the bag drop counters, where their carry-on and hold luggage are weighed and checked.

My friends and I arrived at Terminal 2 at 10:00 a.m., did our check-in, and finished the whole process by 10:07 a.m. Everything happened in 7 minutes. There were no queues everywhere.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my friends and I cleared immigration and airport security. We walked to our assigned Gate 71, where we will board our flight to Manila.

Airside shops and restaurants do not open until around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. Upon opening, we did our last-minute chocolate shopping. We also had lunch in one of the restaurants while waiting for boarding. The airport terminal does not have a lounge. All lounges are in Terminal 1.

BOARDING

The ground staff commenced boarding at 12:15 p.m. First, they called passengers flying with kids and persons with disabilities to board the airline. Then, the staff implemented a ‘by row’ boarding process.

They asked passengers assigned at rows 31 to 41 to board the plane next. After a few minutes, they asked those seated in rows 21 to 41 to board the plane, then those seated from rows 11 to 20. They called the passengers seated in rows 1 to 10 to board the plane last.

 

At 12:48 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The whole boarding process took 33 minutes.

The plane was pushed back at 1:07 p.m. and headed over to the runway for takeoff. It took off at 1:29 p.m. local time.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Nagoya to Manila Cebu Pacific Air flight was operated by 3.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft features 236 pre-reclined Recaro seats in a 3-3 economy class configuration. According to SeatMaps, each regular economy seat has a seat width of 17 inches and a seat pitch of 28 inches.

Each seat features decent legroom with no recline. It also has a seat pocket, which contains the aircraft safety card, inflight magazine, onboard café menu, and air sickness bag. Each seat has an assigned individual air vent and reading light. Each row has two cabin crew call buttons, two USB-C ports, and two regular USB charging ports. These charging ports can be used for free after takeoff. The cabin also features the old overhead cabins, which can only fit limited luggage.

I exchanged seats with my friend and got seat 12D (aisle) for this short-haul flight to Manila. I believe the airline has comfortable seats for short international flights like this. I do not know if I will survive the pre-reclined set-up on a long-haul flight.

INFLIGHT SNACKS

Cebu Pacific Air does not offer complimentary snacks or meals on all their flights. Instead, the airline offers pre-purchased meals and snacks at the time of booking or up to 48 hours before the flight. The airline also offers buy-on-board snack and drink service for those who get hungry during the flight.

The cabin crew went around twice to offer snacks and drinks to those who wanted to purchase. The first snack service happened immediately after takeoff, while the second one happened an hour before landing.

The head cabin crew was luckily my friend’s cousin-in-law. She gave us complimentary snacks and drinks, which we enjoyed even if we were still full from our lunch. The rice meal had the right portions and tasted great! It came with a bottle of fruit tea and small chips. If you are reading this, thank you, Ate, for the snacks! 😊

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cebu Pacific Air does not feature personal entertainment screens on their planes. They only provide inflight magazines named Smile Magazine, which passengers can read through during the flight. Also, the airline is known for conducting inflight games in exchange for airline-branded items.

The cabin crew conducted an inflight game during this flight. My friend won one of three prizes. They also went around to offer airline merchandise after the game.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The airline does not offer inflight Wi-Fi services on all its flights.

LAVATORY

I used the front lavatory midway through the flight and found it clean and fragrant. The cabin crew made sure the lavatory was clean throughout the flight by checking and cleaning it occasionally.

Cabin Crew Encounters

It may be a special situation, but it was evident that the team took care of us during the flight. Aside from the usual greetings and complimentary meals, they made sure we had a fun flight with them. The crew also occasionally checked on us and asked us if we needed anything or if we were okay.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

We touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:42 p.m. local time.  We disembarked from the plane, cleared immigration, and claimed our baggage. Our bags went out of the conveyor belt shortly after we arrived at the arrival hall.

Flight Experience

It was an unexpected but fun flight with Cebu Pacific Air. The complimentary inflight meals and the special service my friends and I got made this flight special and memorable.

This flight was excellent in many ways. First, my friends and I received complimentary inflight meals and tailored service because my friend’s cousin-in-law was the head cabin crew. Second, the airline’s flight schedule is perfect for an afternoon flight back home. It gives the passengers time to rest before going back to their daily schedules the next day.

 

Third, the airline sent out multiple reminders via email days before the flight. They sent emails about the passenger processes, entry requirements, and even check-in or bag-drop instructions. Fourth, the check-in and bag-drop process at Chubu International Airport Terminal 2 was easy, quick, and efficient. My friends and I finished everything in 7 minutes.

Fifth, the airline offered complimentary gadget charging to passengers. The seats were equipped with USB charging outlets, which can be used free of charge. Lastly, my friends and I experienced an unusual but quick arrival process upon landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. We got our checked luggage immediately; we did not wait a long time for it to come out of the conveyor belts.

This homebound flight also had its drawbacks. First, the one-way fare was expensive. It was probably the most expensive one-way Cebu Pacific Air ticket I bought. The flight was on a local public holiday and a peak season in Japan. My friends and I could have saved a few thousands if we booked our return flight immediately after getting our onward flight.

Second, I am not a fan, and I will continue to go against the pre-reclined seats on Cebu Pacific Air’s new planes. I miss the old recline function, which aids in better inflight sleeping experiences. Nevertheless, my friends and I still had a great flight with Cebu Pacific Air. We will continue to fly them as long as their fares remain affordable and reasonable.

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

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 9 April 2024
Flight Number: 5J 5039
Route: Nagoya, Japan (NGO) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 4 hours and 13 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 12D
Aircraft: Airbus A321-271NX
Aircraft Registration: RP-C4124
Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney 1133G Engines
Age: 3.4-years-old
Delivered: November 2020

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Cebu Pacific Air on their Nagoya to Manila route.

Have you flown with Cebu Pacific Air in the past? How was your flight experience? Are you looking to book a ticket with the airline soon? If yes, let me know if you have questions so I can respond to them. post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail 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 Philippine Airlines. 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 OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan [March 2024]

Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan for the Sakura season. We flew in and out of Nagoya, but we mostly went around the Kansai Region. We flew with our favorite local low-cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air, on our inbound flight to Japan on flight 5J 5038. This Manila-Nagoya flight will be the subject of today’s flight report.

Read on below as I share with you the details of this perfectly timed, low-cost flight to Central Japan. In the latter part of this flight report, I will also share how the flight went and what I liked and disliked about it.

Cebu Pacific Air

Cebu Pacific Air is not a new airline in this website; it is actually my most-reviewed airline here. Cebu Pacific Air is the country’s largest low-cost carrier. The airline is owned by Cebu Air, Inc. which is part of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates, JG Summit Holdings.

The airline commenced its first flight in 1996 and has been flying for over 28 years. Together with its subsidiary, Cebgo (previously Tiger Air Philippines), the airline flies to over 60 destinations across the country, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. It operates close to 70 young and fuel-efficient jet and propeller aircraft. Cebu Pacific Air operates the narrow-body and wide-body aircraft while its subsidiary operates the propeller passenger and cargo aircraft.

The airline has a lifestyle and loyalty program called Go Rewards. The airline has opened the opportunity for every Filipino to fly domestic and international at extremely low prices compared to its industry rivals. It is known for its ₱1-base  fare promotions offered a few times a year.

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 Philippine Airlines. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

Affordable plane fares are rare during the anticipated Sakura season. My friends and I decided to book two one-way tickets instead of a return ticket. We booked our inbound ticket nine months before the intended schedule during an ₱88 base fare sale. We paid for only ₱3,068 per person.

This one-way inbound ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 20 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, and a standard seat of choice. This ticket is a steal considering it was booked during a time of very high fuel surcharges and it is booked for a peak season like Sakura season.

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

Regular Philippine passport holders are required to get a tourist visa to enter Japan for leisure purposes. Those who plan to enter Japan for tourism are required to apply for a tourist visa through the embassy’s accredited travel agencies. The embassy does not accept direct tourist visa applications.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Additionally, the Japanese government requires all incoming passengers to perform immigration and customs arrival procedures via the Visit Japan website. Upon arrival, all passengers are required to present the issued QR codes at immigration and customs for scanning. Incoming tourists can get their QR codes up to 2 weeks before the intended arrival date.

Locally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to fill out the online departure cards and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

Cebu Pacific Air sends three email reminders to all its passengers for every upcoming flight.

72 hours before the flight, the airline sent an email reminder about the luggage allowance and the travel requirements for both the Philippines and Japan. 48 hours before the flight, the airline sent us an email informing us that online check-in is now available for our flight. The airline also included a step-by-step process on how to check in online.

24 hours before the flight, Cebu Pacific Air sent another email detailing the airport check-in process as well as reminding us about the required online departure card. The airline does a good job of keeping their passengers informed about everything that is needed for an upcoming flight. Kudos, CEB!

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Manila-to-Nagoya Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 5038 was operated by a 2.8-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The plane, delivered to the airline in May 2021, features a single economy class cabin with 236 pre-reclined seats.

Flight 5J 5038 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:34 a.m. local time, cruised to an altitude of 38,000 feet, and touched down at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya at 11:50 a.m. local time. The flight took 3 hours and 16 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

All international Cebu Pacific Air flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK IN & BAG DROP

I checked in online a day before our flight. Upon arrival at the airport, I went to Counter E, the designated check-in counter for guests who checked in online. I printed the bag luggage tag and lined up for bag drop.

I lined up for bag drop at 3:12 a.m. and finished the process at 4:11 a.m. The bag drop process at the counter took less than 5 minutes, but the queue for it took almost an hour. The online check-in did not really help speed up the bag drop process. It became the usual check-in process.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went ahead of my friends and cleared immigration and security. I immediately went to the PAGGS Lounge and met my friends for breakfast. I used my RCBC JCB Platinum credit card, which allows unlimited access, including a companion.

My friends and I stayed in the lounge for about an hour and waited for our scheduled boarding time.

BOARDING

A little past 6:00 a.m., my friends and I left the lounge and walked towards Gate 115. At 6:35 a.m., the staff announced priority boarding for our flight. They asked passengers flying infants, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those who availed of priority boarding to board the plane first.

Passengers assigned to the rear cabin seats boarded the plane next. Passengers seated in the middle and front parts of the cabin came in last. At 7:08 a.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The entire boarding process took 33 minutes.

The plane was pushed back at 7:18 a.m. and headed over to the runway for take-off. It took off at 7:34 a.m.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Nagoya-Cebu Pacific Air flight was operated by 2.8-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft features 236 pre-reclined Recaro seats in a 3-3 economy class configuration. According to SeatMaps, each regular economy seat has a seat width of 17 inches and a seat pitch of 28 inches.

Each seat features decent legroom with no recline. It also has a seat pocket, which contains the aircraft safety card, inflight magazine, onboard café menu, and air sickness bag. Each seat has an assigned individual air vent and reading light. Each row has two cabin crew call buttons, two USB-C ports, and two regular USB charging ports. These charging ports can be used for free after take-off. The cabin also features the old overhead cabins, which can only fit limited luggage.

I got seat 11B on this short-haul flight. I believe the seat comfort and features are just right for short-haul flights to Japan. Even if the USB-C ports near me did not work during the flight, I find it nice that the airline provides complimentary charging features on their newer aircraft.

INFLIGHT SNACKS

Cebu Pacific Air does not offer complimentary snacks or meals on all their flights. Instead, the airline offers pre-purchased meals and snacks at the time of booking or up to 48 hours before the flight. The airline also offers buy-on-board snack and drink service for those who get hungry during the flight.

The cabin crew served inflight snacks 10 minutes after take-off. They served the pre-booked first before offering the buy-on-board service.

My friends and I skipped the inflight snack service because we were still full from our PAGGS lounge visit. We slept through the snack service and woke up about 1-2 hours later.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cebu Pacific Air does not feature personal entertainment screens on their planes. They only provide inflight magazines named Smile Magazine, which passengers can read through during the flight. Also, the airline is known for conducting inflight games in exchange for airline-branded items.

My friends and I slept through after take-off, and we did not notice if the crew conducted a fun game.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The airline does not offer inflight Wi-Fi services on all its flights.

LAVATORY

I visited the front lavatory midway through the flight, and I found it spot-clean. It has toilet paper and a small bottle of hand soap for those who need to use them.

The cabin crew made sure the cleanliness was maintained throughout the flight.

Cabin Crew Encounters

I only encountered the cabin crew during boarding and disembarkation. I can tell they welcomed and sent off the guests with their best smiles.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

After landing, our plane taxied to Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 2 (LCC Terminal) Gate 71 for disembarkation. The whole disembarkation process, from the plane door to immigration, baggage claim, customs check, and arrivals area, only took us less than 30 minutes.

Japan’s airports are known to be efficient. Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya is one of these airports that upholds a high standard of efficiency.

Flight Experience

It was another great flight with Cebu Pacific Air from Manila, Philippines to Nagoya, Japan on flight 5J 5038. This flight stood out in so many ways. Allow me to elaborate on them one by one.

Cebu Pacific Air is my go-to airline for my trips because of its affordable and reasonable fares. This flight to Nagoya was not an exception. My friends and I paid only ₱3,068 one-way for a 3.25-hour international flight to Japan during Sakura season. On top of that, the fare bundle already included a standard seat and 20 kilograms of checked luggage allowance. It was definitely a steal.

Second, the flight schedule to Nagoya is perfect for tourists. The flight leaves Manila in the morning and arrives in Japan at noon. It is perfect for the afternoon accommodation check-ins in Nagoya. It also gives the passengers time to explore the city in the afternoon.

Third, Cebu Pacific Air never failed to keep their passengers informed. The airline sent multiple email reminders about the flight add-ons, travel requirements, online check-in, and counter check-in processes. Fourth, the airline deployed a modern aircraft on this flight to Japan. It is nice to see the airline using their modern aircraft for short-haul international destinations like Nagoya.

Fifth, the airline offered complimentary charging onboard with their USB power outlets. I hope they continue to provide this amenity or feature in the many years to come. Lastly, the arrival process at Chubu Centrair International Airport was fast and efficient. Everything, from disembarkation to luggage claim and customs, happened in less than 30 minutes.

This flight was not all good. It also had its misses. First, I had a horrible bag drop experience at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. I already checked in online and hoped for a quicker bag drop process. Lo and behold, I queued for almost an hour only to drop my bag. I hope the airline does something about this.

Second, I am not a fan of the airline’s pre-reclined seats. While it is acceptable on short-haul flights like this to Nagoya, I still prefer the reclining seats for better comfort and sleeping posture. Lastly, both USB-C charting ports on our row did not work throughout the flight. Good thing I brought my regular USB adapter, and I was still able to charge my phone.

Overall, it was still a fun flight with Cebu Pacific Air. I do not think an airline comes close to how Cebu Pacific Air offers their affordable and reasonably priced flights across their network. I will continue to fly the airline as long as they keep on offering inexpensive flights to every Juan.

For those who want to know more about the flight and the aircraft used, I have prepared some details for you below:

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 21 March 2024
Flight Number: 5J 5038
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Nagoya, Japan (NGO)
Duration: 3 hours and 16 minutes
Seat Number: 11B
Aircraft: Airbus A321-271NX
Aircraft Registration: RP-C4126
Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney 1133G Engines
Age: 2.8 years old
Delivered: May 2021

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Cebu Pacific Air on their Manila to Nagoya route.

Have you flown with Cebu Pacific Air in the past? How was your flight experience? Are you looking to book a ticket with the airline soon? If yes, let me know if you have questions so I can respond to them. post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail 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 Philippine Airlines. 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 OnePlus 9 Pro.