Philippine Airlines

If you're flying to Manila you can avoid the awful international terminal by flying Philippine Airlines (PAL). In the past 3 months I have flown twice a month on PAL and over 70% of the time they are late. It's only when you're checked in and sitting in the lounge that the inevitable delays are announced. Even 4 hr delays appear to take PAL by surprise. The aircraft are ok cabins a little shabby.

SFO-MNL. Flight over was not refurbished plane old video monitors broken and one of our seats wouldn't recline however they did change our seats. Food is good but for a westerner would like to see more choices other than traditional plates. Even special meals are geared toward Asian cultures. Went to PAL office in Manilla to complain about being sold a ticket under false advertisement when website shows updated planes. Staff called me after visit to office to tell me the plane on the return would be an updated plane. On the return the seats were electric lie flats great pillows and blankets and the same FA's were on both legs. The FA's have always been professional personable and eager to make your trip enjoyable. Definitely worth the extra money for a long trip.

LAX-SIN via MNL. The LAX-MNL had a 50 min fuel stop in HNL. The flight left LAX late and arrived HNL late but the delay was made up for on the HNL-MNL leg. Boarding was the usual LAX chaos. The mabuhay (business) class seating on the LAX-MNL 744 flight was the airline's new seat which is a sloped 170 degree recliner. The seat was a bit firm due to the newness but comfortable and I was able to get a bit of sleep. The IFE was on par with Delta and United i.e. nothing special. The food was very mediocre but the cabin service was outstanding. The MNL-SIN leg was operated by a 320 with standard short haul business class product. The seats were adequate for a 3.5 hr flight. The food was marginally better than the LAX-MNL leg but cabin service was again outstanding. Overall PR offers very good value considering that their business class fares were significantly cheaper than the competition on the LAX-SIN route.

SFO to MNL Roundtrip. Flying to Manila the sinks in the lavatory was clogged and dirty water was overflowing. The security tape around the toilet had peeled off. The service was substandard. When processing through Manila Airport to return back to SFO three security check points failed to detect two bottles of water bottle of gel lighters and a small pocket knife I used while fishing. The flight back was substandard - 14 hours of no entertainment because both our screens wouldn't work. The flight attendants didn't care and their subsequent customer service support was very poor.

Jakarta to Manila en route Singapore using A320. Seats worn out with audio that does not function. Toilet seems to be run down and not well maintained. Food is good but needs improvement in quantity and quality. Attendants food service is extremely slow. PAL's price is no longer competitive or cheaper compared to other airlines serving the route such as SQ but the latter's service is far better than Philippine Airlines.

MNL-SGP. Was told flight has been delayed till 1800h then was again told flight has been delayed and was finally told at 1845h that flight has been cancelled. The staff was of no help at all and could not answer any questions being asked by passengers. No explanation was given for the cancellation. PAL could have done better in handling such situation.

MNL-YVR-MNL B777-300ER. Service and inflight entertainment great. Each economy seat has it's own AVOD. Food was good.

MNL-SFO-MNL. Service extremely poor Manila to San Francisco travelling with a child. We were charged US$100 for requesting bassinet seats for our child and the lady beside us travelling with babies wasn't charged at all! We then discovered no bassinets were available. We completed a formal complaint on the plane regarding the overcharge and no response from Philippine Airlines has been forthcoming. On the way back from San Francisco to Manila we were only charged $US50 for seats with a bassinet. The policy isn't consistent! Terminal two in manila travelling to SFO was just appalling - the lines were not organised.

MNL-TAG-MNL. Flights on time. Check-in quick and very friendly in MNL not always the case. Cabin crew good but still the same pattern. Men and elder lady FAs friendly. Some of the younger ladies more interested in their appearance than being there for passengers. Snacks fine and choice of water coffee and tea. No OJ anymore but second runs. All in all a good experience for the price paid.

MNL–SIN–MNL. Arrived on time but spend quite some time since there is a long line in the check-in counter good enough I got a window-seat. Inflight entertainment is average - A340-300 and not the Boeing B777 with AVOD. Inflight meal is tasty and good enough for a 3.5 hours flight. Flight attendants hospitable and helpful. Flight back the same long line in the check-in meal was fantastic.