Philippine Airlines' Brutally Honest Review: Manila to New York Flight

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Challenge of Long-Haul Flights
3. Philippine Airlines: A Tumultuous History
4. The Crew and Service of Philippine Airlines
5. Bangkok to Manila: Getting There
6. RP-C9901: The A321 CEO
7. The In-Flight Experience
8. Manila: Nino Aquino International Airport
9. The Flight Disruption
10. The A350: Philippine Airlines' Flagship Aircraft
11. The Onboard Experience
12. The Future of Philippine Airlines
13. Conclusion

Philippine Airlines: A Brutally Honest Review of the Manila to New York Flight

Welcome to a brutally honest review of Philippine Airlines' Manila to New York flight. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the airline's history, crew, service, and onboard experience. We will also discuss the challenges of long-haul flights and the issues with Nino Aquino International Airport. Finally, we will look at the future of Philippine Airlines and what it means for the airline industry.

The Challenge of Long-Haul Flights

Long-haul flights are a challenge for every airline, but even more so for a carrier with such a tumultuous history as Philippine Airlines. The airline has had its fair share of financial troubles, labor disputes, and safety concerns over the years. However, despite these challenges, Philippine Airlines has managed to stay afloat and even thrive in recent years.

Philippine Airlines: A Tumultuous History

Philippine Airlines was founded in 1941 and is the flag carrier of the Philippines. The airline has had a tumultuous history, with financial troubles, labor disputes, and safety concerns over the years. However, in recent years, the airline has managed to turn things around and has become a major player in the airline industry.

The Crew and Service of Philippine Airlines

One of the standout features of Philippine Airlines is its fantastic crew and great service. The crew is friendly, attentive, and always willing to go the extra mile to make passengers feel comfortable. The service is top-notch, with delicious meals, plenty of amenities, and a wide variety of entertainment options.

Bangkok to Manila: Getting There

Before we get to our exciting ultra-long-haul flight to New York, we have to go from Bangkok to Manila. Bangkok has two major airports, both of which are easily reachable by train. Don Mueang Airport is Bangkok's old airport and mainly caters to low-cost carriers. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is Bangkok's main international gateway and is situated to the east of the city.

RP-C9901: The A321 CEO

Our three-hour flight to Manila is operated by RP-C9901, a 2013 build Airbus A321. All of Philippine Airlines' A321s, including the NEOs, have three rows of business class up front in a 2-2 configuration. These A321 CEOs and the short-haul NEOs have recliner seats, while those NEOs used on longer flights actually have lie-flat seats.

The In-Flight Experience

The in-flight experience on Philippine Airlines is fantastic, with delicious meals, plenty of amenities, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The legroom is fine, and each seat has an adjustable headrest, which isn't as common on shorter flights. However, the plane does not have power ports, a USB port, or an entertainment system installed.

Manila: Nino Aquino International Airport

Nino Aquino International Airport is by all measures one of the worst airports in the world. Terminal 2, from which Philippine Airlines operates, is small, overcrowded, dark, damp, and hot. There is a new airport currently under construction in Manila, and it can't open soon enough.

The Flight Disruption

Our flight to New York was canceled, and we were rebooked on a special flight the next day. The staff was proactive in seeking out passengers to New York and directed them to the ticket office. The airline handled the situation as seamlessly as possible, and I have nothing but respect for how they handled it.

The A350: Philippine Airlines' Flagship Aircraft

Philippine Airlines' A350s have three classes, with a one-to-one configured business class featuring the Thompson Vantage XL seats up front. The cabin design was made by Tokyo-Based Lift Arrow Design and is intended to Evoke an unmistakably Filipino feeling.

The Onboard Experience

The onboard experience on the A350 is fantastic, with comfortable seats, plenty of amenities, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The legroom is fantastic, and each seat has a headrest that can be adjusted vertically and on the sides. However, the plane does not have power ports, which is a bit of a letdown.

The Future of Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines is heavily constrained right now by its unsuitable hub, Nino Aquino International Airport. The airline is forced to sell some of their tickets at bargainous prices, even without flight disruptions. However, a new airport is under construction, and when that opens, there is a place in Asian aviation for a major hub in Manila.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Philippine Airlines is a fantastic airline with a great crew, service, and onboard experience. However, the airline is heavily constrained by its unsuitable hub, Nino Aquino International Airport. Once the new airport opens, Philippine Airlines has the potential to become a major player in the airline industry.