Airlines In The Philippines III

[ewh1]

They’re already getting the Collins Pinnacle seats for the narrowbodies. They’re manufactured in Tanauan City from their local factory.

Edit: actually, after further review, would it be accurate to say that PAL is consolidating most of their seats with Collins?

A350-1000
Economy: maybe Aspire tho this looks more like Recaro's CL3810 with a more rounded headrest upon reflection.
PE: MiQ
Business: Elements

A321 refurbish:
Business: MiQ (? Since the regionals I think already use this)
Economy: Pinnacle.


I wonder if they gave PAL a very good deal?

[ewh1]

Also 3 x 4 x 3 in economy. I have a feeling PAL learned their lesson on separate configurations and want to make everything as standard as possible. While it sucks for NA/European passengers, it gives them more flexibility to deploy the plane to ME or other high demand/low yield destinations with a greater variety of types to choose from.

If an aircraft goes tech, it won’t paralyze them as much with complaints and disappointment if the wrong cabin type is deployed for the wrong market

[JNC03]

The A350-1000s configured for PAL will seat 382 passengers, of which 42 are Business Class seats, each with direct aisle access, privacy doors and personal vanity mirrors.

Premium Economy will feature 24 wide recliners in an exclusive cabin, while 316 Economy Class seats will offer generous 6-inch recline, mobile device stands and comfort features.


https://business.inquirer.net/531832/flying-soon-pals-new-flagship-carrier

[Solblanc]

JNC03 wrote

The A350-1000s configured for PAL will seat 382 passengers, of which 42 are Business Class seats, each with direct aisle access, privacy doors and personal vanity mirrors.

Premium Economy will feature 24 wide recliners in an exclusive cabin, while 316 Economy Class seats will offer generous 6-inch recline, mobile device stands and comfort features.


https://business.inquirer.net/531832/flying-soon-pals-new-flagship-carrier

The recline in economy is the proof that they’re going 3-4-3. No way they could have that much recline at 3-3-3 at 31 pitch. So they are indeed sacrificing width for legroom.

[Evodesire]

According to a reliable source, it will be a 3-4-3 configuration with a 17" width for Y. PAL will be the first customer with the wider cabin config for the A35K. Maybe its Airbus' way to win over 77W customers with a 3-4-3 Y-class config.

[filipinoavgeek]

How would 3-4-3 with 17" compare to 5J's or PR's 3-3-3 A330s, or even something like 3-4-3 on a 777?

[Evodesire]

PR's SMC cabin A330's seat width are 16.2". Their tri-class A330s are at 18". A350-900 Y seats are at 18" width.

[Solblanc]

Technically, PAL was one of the very first airlines after EK to institute 3-4-3 on a 77W. Because it could’ve been unpopular, PAL increased the pitch of the seats. To this day, PAL’s 77Ws have more pitch than their counterparts.

I’m guessing that’s what they’re doing again. Except this time PAL will be the very first airline to put 10-abreast on an NPS (widened) A35K. Let’s see if they’ll be seen as a trendsetter, or if people will start avoiding them.

At the very least, though, having that many seats will allow PAL to lower their prices. Looks like they’re prepared to give UA and AC a run for their money.

[seven13]

Solblanc wrote

Technically, PAL was one of the very first airlines after EK to institute 3-4-3 on a 77W. Because it could’ve been unpopular, PAL increased the pitch of the seats. To this day, PAL’s 77Ws have more pitch than their counterparts.

I’m guessing that’s what they’re doing again. Except this time PAL will be the very first airline to put 10-abreast on an NPS (widened) A35K. Let’s see if they’ll be seen as a trendsetter, or if people will start avoiding them.

At the very least, though, having that many seats will allow PAL to lower their prices. Looks like they’re prepared to give UA and AC a run for their money.

I've been on PR's B777 and EK's B777. I would take PR's B777 anytime versus EK. The legroom is smaller on EK's B777 thus my knees bumping the seatback in front of me. The 3-4-3 on PR's B777 doesn't feel much cramped (maybe except if I am seated next to a bigger built.) I've been on SQ's B777 too, ECY on 3-3-3, of course it goes without saying that it's the roomiest B777 I've been on.

I was searching online, the B777's cabin width is 19.3ft/5.86m while the widened A35k is at 18.5ft/5.61m. I wonder if it will be noticeable versus the B777 in terms of feeling cramped.

[Arianespace]

It is cramped. No matter how you coat it. Wait until you eat your meal when you understand what I'm saying. I've been on a 789 economy and the 3-3-3 is cramped. The 3-3-3 on 359 is better. Similarly, the 3-4-3 in 350 is cramped compared to the 3-4-3 in the 777x. And for that I will alway love PAL 359 more.

Our neighbors know how to pamper Filipinos by opting 3-3-3 on their 35K (ie CX,BR,CI). So they are riding their plane. I chose the 3-3-3 anytime for flights to the US or EU where PAL 359 is flying. I will avoid flyiing the PAL 35K on Y. For Filipinos who want direct connection, there is always premium economy. But then again it will cost you additional arms and leg.

[Solblanc]

I can imagine that having an extra 40+ economy seats vs other a35k operators is gonna be good for the bottom line. Makes promo fares and the like easier. And the A35K has the payload and baggage space to make baggage cheaper. The other airlines have always offered a better product; PAL has survived by offering good pricing and baggage allowance.

[seven13]

Arianespace wrote

It is cramped. No matter how you coat it. Wait until you eat your meal when you understand what I'm saying. I've been on a 789 economy and the 3-3-3 is cramped. The 3-3-3 on 359 is better. Similarly, the 3-4-3 in 350 is cramped compared to the 3-4-3 in the 777x. And for that I will alway love PAL 359 more.

Our neighbors know how to pamper Filipinos by opting 3-3-3 on their 35K (ie CX,BR,CI). So they are riding their plane. I chose the 3-3-3 anytime for flights to the US or EU where PAL 359 is flying. I will avoid flyiing the PAL 35K on Y. For Filipinos who want direct connection, there is always premium economy. But then again it will cost you additional arms and leg.

The last PR 777 I’ve been on was on PR104 last 2019. It was okay for me. I really did not like EK and EY’s B777, that’s where I felt cramped. but couldn’t really remember QR’s; I think it was roomier (legroom). I’m an 180cm and around 80kgs

The most I’ve been on recently is the B789 and B78X on EY and yes. It was cramped as hell. Even sitting on an aisle seat felt cramped.

[Eatkonomics]

I flew last June to SGN and the aircraft was upgraded from 321ceo to 777w (old version) it was clean and well maintained actually and comfortable but the entertainment system was not functioning well, some screens are not working and some usb ports are damaged. Food was okay nothing special, but the real treat was the crew. I remember in the 90s and 2000s how perfect CX crew was before mainland took over, PR crew is like that both MNL-SGN-MNL.

The 321ceo was not as bad I thought it would be. I thought the seat would be very uncomfortable but it was okay, it’s comfortable for a 2-3 hour flight. The entertainment via own device is pleasantly good

But I just wish the refurbishment of the 321s are on their way. I used to avoid PAL as much as possible but since for work, I have no choice. I would consider PAL for international flights in the future provided that their planes are consistent. Those a330s with weird business class seats with 1 lavatory was the worst business class experience for me. But PAL has a lot of potential to be competitive hopefully they pick up with new management coming in.

I noticed how a lot of foreigners are passengers, quite diverse actually. Is this normal or just the flight route?

[Solblanc]

Looks like ANC managed to get some snapshots from inside the 3-4-3 mockup when others weren’t allowed to film or take photographs

[ewh1]

Definitely is a generic cabin but illustrates the future PAL cabin layout a bit more clearly.

The 3x4x3 layout isn’t too bad, I guess since it’s the wider cabin version? Hopefully when it’s in service, it won’t really be bad as people say.

The worst economy seat I’ve had was economy on Air Canada in the high density B777-300ERs. That was tight.

[ewh1]

Richard Nuttall interview with ANC. https://youtu.be/CRwtgZv_xFU?si=ok5R7PED7nIRSDMe

Takeaways:
PAL is in a very good place (higher yields, high customer satisfaction scores, finances) and it’s more about making things better, efficient, profitable and better positioned for the future.

They are in a good situation financially. High returns since restructuring which has been helped with prudent watch over cashflow. Because of their good situation, they have access to good financing.

The future now are the “planes in-between the A350-1000 and A321neos” which they are currently evaluating and to “watch this space” in the next couple of months


Overall, nothing new but nice to get confirmation on what to expect

[Arianespace]

That actually tells you who is in charge. We in this forum already know what is forthcoming. If the Airbus massive weight bump is true, then we know what is coming our way.

[Arianespace]

Eatkonomics wrote

I noticed how a lot of foreigners are passengers, quite diverse actually. Is this normal or just the flight route?

PAL is flying connecting passengers to Vietnam from the US and vice versa. That is the reason why the 77w flies SGN. PAL have been doing it for a long time. These connecting passengers are herded to the elevators at T1 to departure lobby for their connections with just identity checks.  

[Solblanc]

Arianespace wrote

That actually tells you who is in charge. We in this forum already know what is forthcoming. If the Airbus massive weight bump is true, then we know what is coming our way.

The way Richard said “watch this space” means that he seems pretty confident an order will happen.

[JNC03]

Maybe an announcement will be made during the Philippine Aviation Summit that is organized by EU Chamber of Commerce, PAL is a partner of the forum for years now.

The Summit is used by Cebu Pacific to announce its plan to order 100+ aircrafts. Airbus execs are always present in the event