Comfort takes flight with PAL’s upgraded cabins

Philippine Airlines believes that the only way to travel is in utter comfort, from start to finish. Why settle for anything less?

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier known for its trademark service “BuongPusong Alaga,” is committed to raising the bar to ensure a premium passenger experience in the cabins of all its long-haul aircraft. Multi-million-dollar investments in the installation of new cabins and seats, as well as in ordering new aircraft, help demonstrate the airline’s determination to place passenger comfort at the very top of its priority list, a testament to the airline’s hard-won 4-Star Skytrax rating.

“We have invested and worked hard to improve product and service quality to achieve passenger a more relaxing flight. On thenew Premium Economy Class, the seats now feature a built-in leg and foot rest with seat pitch of 38 inches and can be reclined up to eight inches, giving passengers more room to relax and provides value for money for a premium experience.

Indeed, PAL is bucking the trend. Where other airlines pack more seats into their cabins to maximize revenues, PAL took the radical step of taking out more than 100 seats on each of the reconfigured A330s— from the original 414 single-class seats arranged in tight nine-seater rows, PAL’s Tri-Class A330 now has only 309 seats, with just eight seats per row in a much roomier Economy cabin.

Each ergonomic seat of the Tri-Class Airbus A330s, on PAL’s latest Boeing B777s, and the upcoming Airbus A321neo and Airbus A350 aircraft that will join PAL’s fleet by mid-2018, is equipped with the latest in-flight entertainment system through the myPAL eSuite, outfitted with over 300 hours of movies, TV shows, and music. The myPAL Player inflight streaming app is also available for download for all iOS and Android users who wish to watch and consume content through their own devices, while the myPAL Wi-fi allows passengers to surf the internet throughout the flight.

Giselle Abellon, a mother of two, regularly travels from Manila to the United States to visit her family. With her toddlers in tow, Giselle used to dread flying, but with all of PAL’s latest product enhancements, she is looking forward to a better flight.

“With the latest features like the new inflight entertainment, I look forward to flying with PAL again for our succeeding trips,” said Abellon. “Travelling with the kids also became easier because of the upgraded inflight entertainment system that keep them behaved throughout the flight.”

Many regard airline food as generally bland or unsatisfying, but Enrique del Rosario, founder of Food in the Bag blog, says this is not the case with the national carrier. He notes that even PAL’s economy class meals served during long-haul trips are keeping “everyone’s stomach happy.”

PAL’s inflight cuisine has levelled up as a result of strong collaboration between PAL’s Inflight Catering led by Corporate Chef Noel Ramos and some of the country’s renowned Chefs Jessie Sincioco, Fernando Aracama, Glenda Barretto, Myrna Segismundo, and Miko Aspi r as.

While one’s culinary journey with PAL may begin with the famous arroz caldo in the Mabuhay Lounge, passengers can indulge in different seasonal dishes such as the angus beef caldereta, Bul acan-st yl e bangussarciado, and guinataangsugpo. These inflight meals are served with Filipino artisanal desserts like Carmen’s Best Ice Cream, Auro Chocolates, and Malagos Cheese from Davao.

“It’s common for travelers not to be so fond of airline food. However, PAL does a good job in partnering with known chefs in the Philippines to create dishes, whether seasonal or regular, that will keep passengers wanting to fly with them more,” added del Rosario.

Apart from food, PAL is replacing its regular blankets with a soft and warm duvet that will ensure maximum comfort for guests on long-haul Business Class flights. L’Occitaneen Provence amenity kits are also provided to keep guests fresh throughout the flight.

“We may have achieved the 4Star Rating with these new products and services, but rest assured, it doesn’t end here. Philippine Airlines is in the midst of a journey towards achieving the ultimate 5-Star airline industry rating by 2020. Our passengers can expect an even better PAL as we reach for the 5th star,” concluded Domingo. (Press Release)