PAL gears up for nonstop flights to New York
On Oct. 29, 4-Star carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will mark another milestone in aviation history as the first airline to mount a direct nonstop service to the Big Apple from the Philippines.
A brand-new PAL Airbus A350-900 will commence the historic flight when it departs as PR126 from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a 16-hour nonstop journey across the North Polar regions, to land at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on the evening of the same day.
“We look forward with eager anticipation, as we prepare to fly almost halfway around the world on the longest route ever to be served by a Philippine carrier,” said PAL president and COO Jaime J. Bautista. “What’s in store for travelers is a journey unparalleled — an ultra-comfortable flight on one of the world’s most advanced commercial airplanes.
“The maiden nonstop, 16-hour Manila-New York journey will usher in a long-haul travel experience marked by comfort, convenience and efficiency,” he added.
For his part, PAL VP for sales Ryan Uy noted brisk sales for this newest product offering. “People want to experience this much-talked about A350 aircraft. They want to sample the spacious cabin designed for rest, relaxation, fine dining and wide choices of video entertainment. Now they can enjoy the A350 on a flight that takes them directly to the US East Coast, with no more time-consuming stopovers and no inconvenient transfer connections along the route. One takeoff and one landing, and you’re in the Big Apple.”
Tourists and balikbayans based in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut states will now find it easier and more convenient to visit the Philippines. Prior to the new PAL service, Manila-bound passengers had to go through intermediate stopovers in Canada, the US West Coast, or airports in other Asian countries, usually by connecting from one flight to another.
The PAL service between Manila and New York City gives passengers the flexibility to choose from a wider selection of departure days.
From Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, PAL will operate a fourtimes-weekly service (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday) from Manila to New York.
PR126 departs from Manila at 8:10 p.m. and arrives in New York JFK at 11:15 p.m. (local time) on the same day. By Nov. 5, Manila departure will shift to 9 p.m. and arrival in New York JFK remains at 11:15 p.m. Starting Dec. 6, PAL will start serving the MNL-NYC route five times weekly with the introduction of the 5th frequency (every Wednesday).
From Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, PAL will serve the New York-to-Manila route four times weekly (Tuesday/ Wednesday/Friday/Sunday).
PR127 will leave New York JFK at 1:45 a.m. (local time) and touch down in Manila is at 6:25 a.m. the following day. By Nov. 7, arrival in Manila will be at 7:25 a.m. (departure from New York remains at 1:45 a.m. local time.)
PAL will operate the 5th frequency (every Thursday) out of New York starting Dec. 13.
All PAL flights to New York will depart from NAIA Terminal 2. PAL flights from New York will arrive at NAIA Terminal 1.
(However, PAL flights to and from Canada, i.e. Vancouver and Toronto, will use NAIA Terminal 1 as their point of departure and arrival in Manila.)
The new long-range A350 that will serve the Manila-JFK route boasts outstanding characteristics including: Can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km) and boasts a quieter cabin up to four times less noise, making it the quietest twin-aisle aircraft to date; has an all-new design and state-of-the-art technology, with the aircraft’s advanced Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines producing unparalleled range and efficiency; has a light weight but very strong structure which also costs significantly less to maintain: 70 percent of which is made of advanced material including 53 percent composite; offers Wi-Fi service for all passengers (subject to time and volume caps), with affordable renewal plans; features special LED mood lighting, customized especially for PAL, giving passengers a more intimate in-flight experience that helps them adjust to time zone and day vs. night changes
The Business class cabin — with 30 seats configured in 1-2-1 format so that every single passenger enjoys direct access to the aisle — offers a seat pitch of 44 inches and seat width of up to 24 inches. The seat, which reclines to a full-flat bed measuring 78 inches in length has an adjustable air cushion to adjust seat firmness, lumbar massage feature, additional storage for personal items, power ports and augmented reading lights.
The Premium Economy class has 24 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration in an exclusive cabin. Seat pitch is at 38 inches and seat width is at 19 inches. Premium Economy seats, which have a recline of up to eight inches are equipped with legrest and footrest, additional front pockets for personal items, bottle holders, reading lights and power ports.
The Economy class cabin with a total of 241 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration offers passengers roomier leg space and greater seating comfort with a seat pitch of 33 inches and seat width at 18 inches; plus a recline of up to six inches. Features include a fourway headrest and USB power ports.
In the pipeline for the Philippines’ only 4-star Global Airline are new services to other destinations in North America and/or Europe as more A350 aircraft join the fleet. Seattle, Chicago and a point in Western Europe are being eyed.