Lufthansa747 From Finland, joined May 1999, 2956 posts, RR: 47 Posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5429 times:
This series of trip reports will cover the rest of my stay in Asia, and the flights I took in September/October/November. Namely BKK-MNL-OZC//CEB-DVO-CEB-MNL-CEB-KLO-MNL-CGK-UPG-CGK-SUB-CGK-SUB-AMI-DPS-KUL-BKK-USM-HKT-BKK//DMK-HKT-DMK//BKK-CGK-SIN-MNL-DXB-HAM-FRA-HEL-FRA-HAM-DXB-MNL-BKK-KUL-CRK//MNL-CEB-SIN-KUL-BKK-DXB-FRA-HEL. Alas, a lot of writing so these will be posted in several instalments. First parts can be found at:
This part covers CEB-MNL-CEB in Philippine Airlines Mabuhay/Business Class. I will shamelessly copy FLIEGER67 and add fare information to each segment, hope you don’t mind.
I still had those expiring PR miles in my account, so a trip in business class to Manila was in order. Considering Y costs 4000miles one way and business 5000, anybody redeeming for Y is a fool, especially considering Y tickets can usually be had for PHP 288-488+taxes. An overnight in MNL was out of question to keep some peace in the family, so I opted for a quick turnaround, flying on A330 and A340. I was supposed to pay a $25 fee for booking late, alas the agent never charged that. But even such a domestic award is quite an ordeal in the Philippines, they needed copies of my membership card and passport for example. Completely absurd. I don’t know how the Filipinos cope with the bureaucracy and long lines everywhere, incl airline offices.
26 September 2007
Mactan Cebu International (CEB/RPVM) – Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL/RPLL)
Philippine Airlines PR/PAL 848
Airbus A330-301
F-OHZR
0945-1115 – On Time
Mabuhay Class, Seat 14K
I left for the airport rather late at 8am, but thankfully the trip from the Marriott took just about 30 minutes this morning. Initial security check was rather quick considering I only had my wallet/phone/camera with me, although I can’t stress enough how much it pisses me off having to take off shoes and belt at this checkpoint, just to be repeated once again after check-in. Check-in at the dedicated Mabuhay Class counters was quick, and I got a window seat as requested. Next step – P200 terminal fee and another security check...
I then headed to the renovated Mabuhay Lounge
Healthy breakfast – Carlsberg!
Boarding started as scheduled – PR has rather long turnarounds at least in CEB, and flights are rarely delayed. Undoubtedly the best and most reliable option for domestic travel. Gate 4 was used as always for PAL, I don’t think I ever used another gate for PAL in Cebu. I took this very same flight countless of times a couple of years ago when connecting onwards to Incheon on Asiana.
PR848 Boarding
F-OHZR waiting, my 5th flight on this A330...
Was greeted by a friendly F/A at the door, and turned left into the Mabuhay Class section. The cabin is obviously as it was years ago, helplessly behind competition. Fine for an hour’s domestic flight but I would have serious issues sitting in these seats on MNL-SYD sectors. The recline is a joke, and the legrest is useless as it only extends about 5cm off the floor... There is of course a first generation small, non-AVOD PTV screen.
Cabin view
Cebu Pacific A319 next to us
Tri-MG 727 freighter
OJ or water was offered as pre-departure drink, I gulped down a glass of water. Pushback was a few minutes early, and safety demo was played on the screens as usual. We taxied to runway 22 for departure and took off without delay.
Turning onto 22
View of Cebu City after departure
A meal was served, sadly the proper hot meals I used to enjoy in 2004 are long gone. This one consisted of some dry sandwiches, some hot savouries and a pack of dried mangoes. Not a culinary highlight but at least there is a meal service on a 1h flight. Non-alcoholic drinks are available, mostly Pepsi and Virgin products.
Meal
I reclined my seat and successfully dozed of for a few minutes until we were already on descent into Manila Ninoy Aquino.
Metro Manila
Final approach for NAIA
KLM 777 taxiing
A company A320 next to us at T2
Another cabin view
ZR at gate at NAIA 2
China Airlines A340 – I usually see their 747-400 for TPE and 738 for KHH when in Manila
26 September 2007
Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL/RPLL) – Mactan Cebu International (CEB/RPVM)
Philippine Airlines PR/PAL 849
Airbus A340-313X
F-OHPK
1600-1730 – On Time
First Class, Seat 2A (Mabuhay service)
I had thought about heading to town, but was way too tired for that. So I went directly upstairs to check-in for my return flight. The security guard checking tickets at the entrance obviously thought I was nuts, and said “so you came for lunch in Manila”... That was indeed the plan but the lounge food would have to suffice this time.
CEB C class counter
I asked for a seat in row 2 knowing this would be an A340, and was promptly assigned 2A in the First Class cabin. Row 2 has about double the legroom compared to row 1, so it’s the way to go whenever possible. Went through another stripping exercise and straight into the Mabuhay Lounge where I set up a sofa and a couple of chairs so that I could comfortably sleep. Note to self: don’t spend the night chatting to friends online when you have an early flight to catch!
F-OHPK at gate, my usual luck... Third flight on this aircraft, yet I haven’t been on all 4 A340s of PR.
Boarding started on time, and the guys did a good job of taking us Mabuhay Class pax past the general queues that were very long. Was greeted by a friendly F/A at the door, and another one escorted me to my seat in the F cabin. Row 2 on the A340 is as good as PR seating currently gets, much roomier than F on the B747. Was immediately offered the usual stuff – drink, hot towel and newspapers.
View from 2A
Enormous legroom in row 2, but seats are narrow for F in 2-2-2 config
Pre-departure OJ
We were pushed back on time at 4pm, and there was surprisingly no delay for departure. Manila tends to be rather crowded usually.
LHT hangar and an Air Mauritius A340
A similar meal was served on this flight, with the addition of some Nestle Ube ice cream. I very much like that stuff. Had some Virgin Blue and water to flush it all down.
Meal service underway, nice crew
Another cabin view
It seems entirely random whether these F seats go completely flat or not. Last time on MNL-BKK I was able to get the seatback 100% flat and had great sleep, this time it wouldn’t budge and would stay at about 160 degrees. Not that it matters much on a 1h flight, but the seat controls seem to be in a rather sorry state. Alas, F is on the way out from PR...
We started descent into Mactan Cebu at sunset
Final approach
Touchdown and reverse thrust
At gate
Snapped a few pics of the cramped Mabuhay Class cabin, just to be told by an American “you don’t often see this end of the aircraft do you?” Didn’t find words to reply to such a ridiculous statement on the spot, I later thought I should have replied that indeed I don’t because there’s a curtain between F and C... Idiot.
Took a taxi back to the Marriott, he used meter no problem, it’s not every day that happens at CEB airport...
Hope you enjoyed, next part will be CEB-KLO-MNL-CGK and will be posted soon.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 6155 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5396 times:
Hi Lari, another good read, very amusing in parts!
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): Considering Y costs 4000miles one way and business 5000, anybody redeeming for Y is a fool, especially considering Y tickets can usually be had for PHP 288-488+taxes.
- Yep, why would you redeem for a Y ticket!!??
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): An overnight in MNL was out of question to keep some peace in the family, so I opted for a quick turnaround
- Hmm, I feel for you
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): I was supposed to pay a $25 fee for booking late, alas the agent never charged that
- Cool!
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): But even such a domestic award is quite an ordeal in the Philippines, they needed copies of my membership card and passport for example. Completely absurd
- Stupid, cut the red tape!
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): Snapped a few pics of the cramped Mabuhay Class cabin, just to be told by an American “you don’t often see this end of the aircraft do you?” Didn’t find words to reply to such a ridiculous statement on the spot, I later thought I should have replied that indeed I don’t because there’s a curtain between F and C... Idiot.
- Fantastic, very funny!
Nice stuff, legroon in row 2 on the 343 is superb!
Buck3y3nut From United States, joined Jul 2006, 730 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5269 times:
wow... great trip report. Nice to read about PAL and it's service.
looking forward to your next part...
thanks a lot for writing this report and sharing it with us
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 3178 posts, RR: 25 Reply 4, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 5225 times:
Quoting Lufthansa747 (Thread starter): I was supposed to pay a $25 fee for booking late, alas the agent never charged that. But even such a domestic award is quite an ordeal in the Philippines, they needed copies of my membership card and passport for example. Completely absurd. I don’t know how the Filipinos cope with the bureaucracy and long lines everywhere, incl airline offices.
= LOL. At least you got the award ... and not the "sorry po, out of stock po. Come back again next time" runaround you get in the Makati malls where the agents are just too lazy to check.
Indeed... but I guess they're too scared about somebody using miles from your account. You should see what it takes to get a birth certificate that is accepted by Philippine missions abroad... Authentication from 3 different places, and I'm telling you they aren't exactly like government offices in Finland or the UK.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 1): Nice stuff, legroon in row 2 on the 343 is superb!
Indeed, sadly no more F when they install the J class sloped beds.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 4): At least you got the award ... and not the "sorry po, out of stock po. Come back again next time" runaround you get in the Makati malls where the agents are just too lazy to check.
Yeah, well she seemed way pissed off when I asked for about 4 routings... I guess too much work. 2P was a partner back then but there was zero availability, I actually wanted to do CEB-MNL-DVO-CEB.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 7): Looks alright apart from the outdated hardware i suppose.
Yeah, more than fine for domestic. International sadly has old disinterested crews rather often and the drink list is poor. I'll try to post BKK-MNL-BKK in J/F (A330/340 like this one) when I have time.
Quoting Ronerone (Reply 7): I tried some from a friend. Theyre actually quite good.
B747forever From United States, joined May 2007, 14252 posts, RR: 12 Reply 11, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3566 times:
Great TR.
The pics are really good.
PR seems to be a really good airline. On a such short flight they had a good service.
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