Airlines In The Philippines IV

[Solblanc]

seven13 wrote

Seatmap is now up on the website
16.49” seat width at 32” pitch!! Extremely tight for longhaul!

Indeed, what happened to the supposed 17” width from the NPS cabin? Unless that 16.49” excludes the armrests, I guess…

[Arianespace]

FabienA380 wrote

I've been reading the forum for a little while now, this would be my first post.

My question please would be, which 321neos are the ones quoted 'LR'?.......

Many thanks
Fabien

Welcome to the forum.

For PAL, RP-C9937 and 38 are known to be LR versions.  The Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) door configuration (NX) is basically used for long range, optimizing cabin space. It is mostly associated often with extra fuel capacity for extended range with MTOW between 95-97t. Meaning, it can easily be fitted with ACTs if airline desires long haul but not necessarily attached.

The difference between ACF and LR is the permanent nature of the center tank and number of center tank involved. ACF versions can either have 1-3 ACTs while LR always have 3 ACTs. Nowadays, LR center tank is permanently bolted in unlike the ACF which is removable. Both their ACTs have 3,121 liters each of fuel. Ordinary A321neo has only 23,490l while ACF and LR variants have maximum of 32,943 liters. Pre-2021 A321 orders are mostly ACF while post-2021 orders are either in LR or XLR variant. They are designed that way precisely for its range.

For CEB, ACF are bought precisely for its capacity at max 244 pax vs. ordinary 220 pax for ordinary A321neo, unlike PAL where their ACF was designed to fly further. They do fly Perth remember?

But for non-avgeeks like us, it is more associated with emergency exit doors. Ordinary A321neo has 4 doors apart, while ACF LRs and XLRs have all 2 doors on the wing. For your further education, you can always go here

An additional reading on the doors arrangement is here
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2018/03/flexible-door-distribution-enables-airbus-to-offer-multiple-a321-configs/

I hope you find that helpful

[Spartan117]

Oh wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm missing something, because from what I've seen on the PAL website and Flightradar data,
 
"A321neo Long Range"
- RP-C9930 to 35
- Flew recently to KIX, CTS, PER, CGK, POM, HND, BNE

"A321neo Short Range"
- Airbus ACF Cabins, Cockpit Mask
- RP-C9937 and 38
- Flew recently from Mactan to ICN, NRT, GUM, TPE, FUK




I saw these on Mond Ortiz's blog too.

Perhaps PAL needs to get their terminology in order then?

[jaygimo]

Spartan117 wrote

Oh wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm missing something, because from what I've seen on the PAL website and Flightradar data,
 
"A321neo Long Range"
- RP-C9930 to 35
- Flew recently to KIX, CTS, PER, CGK, POM, HND, BNE

"A321neo Short Range"
- Airbus ACF Cabins, Cockpit Mask
- RP-C9937 and 38
- Flew recently from Mactan to ICN, NRT, GUM, TPE, FUK




I saw these on Mond Ortiz's blog too.

Perhaps PAL needs to get their terminology in order then?

This is correct actually. 9930-35 are early NEO variants with ACTs that enables them to fly longer legs. The SR versions are the new ACF NEOs which you can consider as the base model of the XLR variant. You’ll want an XLR if you want an ACF that can fly longer legs.

[FabienA380]

Thank you very much Arianespace!! :)

[Arianespace]

Spartan117 wrote

Oh wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm missing something, because from what I've seen on the PAL website and Flightradar data,
 
Perhaps PAL needs to get their terminology in order then?

Not necessarily. All 321neo from 30-38 that they have are long range versions as they are capable of reaching 4,000nm.

The 321ceo are short range variants as they are capable of reaching only 3,200nm.

I think the terminology was meant that way.

If you however differentiate the 321neo fleet, surely the 37 and 38 are league of their own as they are the ACF (NX) kind capable of flying more than the ordinary. If these were so, then surely they got the terminology on reverse.

[seven13]

Solblanc wrote

seven13 wrote

Seatmap is now up on the website
16.49” seat width at 32” pitch!! Extremely tight for longhaul!

Indeed, what happened to the supposed 17” width from the NPS cabin? Unless that 16.49” excludes the armrests, I guess…

Then it starts flying to JFK on Jan 06, gruesome for Y passengers!!

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES OUTLINES A350-1000 SERVICE FROM LATE-DEC 2025

[poipoi]

Will PAL start receiving brand new A321neo aircraft this 2026? and how many are expected to be delivered?

[Arianespace]

filipinoavgeek wrote

ewh1 wrote

JNC03 wrote

Yes the shop too

Seems like it. I saw the company, KBYO Media who looks like it publishes it now post a job on Linkedin for an intern for the magazine. Upon further investigation, the Managing editor started the role in May, so they must’ve been planning this relaunch for awhile

Wait: Mabuhay magazine is back?

For posterity sake. The content is good actually.

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

Seatmap is now up on the website
16.49” seat width at 32” pitch!! Extremely tight for longhaul!

Very tight indeed.

Well, their 77w is 17.2". You wouldn't mind losing half an inch of luxury the triple seven have. I enjoyed it already.

Wait, their 359s has even better wider seats at 18". Enjoyed it too. Even better. And so does their A320s and A321s. Same seat width.

Personally, I think the 35k seats is substantial downgrade of comfort level. I've been stating that obvious fact since they decided to make it at 10 abreast three years ago in exchange for longer legrooms. Because I know how inconvenient would that be moving around for my size, and so would opt out from flying with this bird on long haul.

But of course, most of you like the blinks here. So you'll probably remember me when you start dining at 35,000ft.

[ewh1]

seven13 wrote

Seatmap is now up on the website
16.49” seat width at 32” pitch!! Extremely tight for longhaul!

Here's another thought that randomly occured to me on the whole 10 abreast A350 issue.  Could it be, they decided on the high density seatmap to attract more of the connecting traffic to Asia in addition to VFR traffic?  I know it could be contradictory with the premium aspiration but could it be as a strategy to undercut the Northern Asia/US carriers and be more of a dominant player? Almost playing the Emirates/Qatar strategy albeit, in a smaller way.

PAL is already a lower cost carrier compared to their competitors so as long as the soft product and other aspects of the hard product like IFE are competitive, maybe it could work? PAL will (hopefully) be at NAIA 3 next year so thats even more of an advantage. With CEB out, there will be more of a chance to grow that market now.

PAL President has been quoted as saying they are "an airline that just doesn't know how good they are" so maybe with that in mind and more agressive marketing, that could happen? As you may recall, Qatar Airways didn't even really have the hub they have now when they grew to become the carrier today as the old airport was severely overutilized. If I recall, it was literally run all on bus gates and remote stands, and at its peak, had separate Departure and Arrival terminals (reminiscent of Caticlan)

In any case, this was an interesting video to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTQIBtL4d4&t=235s

[ewh1]

Arianespace wrote

filipinoavgeek wrote

ewh1 wrote

JNC03 wrote

Yes the shop too

Seems like it. I saw the company, KBYO Media who looks like it publishes it now post a job on Linkedin for an intern for the magazine. Upon further investigation, the Managing editor started the role in May, so they must’ve been planning this relaunch for awhile

Wait: Mabuhay magazine is back?

For posterity sake. The content is good actually.

The illustration is beautiful.

Are they going back to the old Mabuhay Magazine logo? Either way, they're both nice.

Also I like the nod to pre-sunriser, 70s branding. "Homecoming issue" is in classic PAL font, Futura Bold.

[JNC03]

Philippine Airlines is adjusting operational aircraft on Manila – Riyadh route starting June 2026, where the airline schedules 370-seater 777-300ER aircraft from 01JUN26, instead of 363-seater A330-300.

The aircraft change will see expanded Business Class capacity from 18 to 42.

PR654 MNL1205 – 1710RUH 773 D
PR655 RUH1855 – 1035+1MNL 773 D


https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/251222-prjun26ruh

[Arianespace]

Just as we predicted in this forum PAL would do.

[seven13]

Arianespace wrote

Just as we predicted in this forum PAL would do.

How many A35K would be operating by June 2026?
It’s surprising that RUH will see the 777 and not DXB nor DOH

[romantic_guy08]

will these be the older 77Ws? 77 and 76 or any of the 77Ws can be assigned?

[Arianespace]

ewh1 wrote

seven13 wrote

Seatmap is now up on the website
16.49” seat width at 32” pitch!! Extremely tight for longhaul!

Here's another thought that randomly occured to me on the whole 10 abreast A350 issue.  Could it be, they decided on the high density seatmap to attract more of the connecting traffic to Asia in addition to VFR traffic?  I know it could be contradictory with the premium aspiration but could it be as a strategy to undercut the Northern Asia/US carriers and be more of a dominant player? Almost playing the Emirates/Qatar strategy albeit, in a smaller way.

PAL is already a lower cost carrier compared to their competitors so as long as the soft product and other aspects of the hard product like IFE are competitive, maybe it could work? PAL will (hopefully) be at NAIA 3 next year so thats even more of an advantage. With CEB out, there will be more of a chance to grow that market now.

PAL President has been quoted as saying they are "an airline that just doesn't know how good they are" so maybe with that in mind and more agressive marketing, that could happen? As you may recall, Qatar Airways didn't even really have the hub they have now when they grew to become the carrier today as the old airport was severely overutilized. If I recall, it was literally run all on bus gates and remote stands, and at its peak, had separate Departure and Arrival terminals (reminiscent of Caticlan)

In any case, this was an interesting video to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTQIBtL4d4&t=235s

Its more on the capacity issue addressing both. Brought by capacity constraint at its home port. At least that was what was explained to me. Coupled with the fact that it main target market generally isn't as big as their north american brethren.

PAL is already recognized around the world as the lowest tier of full service carrier. In fact, what is not showed by them is that they are the first FSC airline to introduce 10 abreast seating on the A350 designed to seat "comfortably" 9 abreast economy configuration according to Airbus mouth.

What PAL is mentioning right now is they are the first A35k operator in SEA, not the first FSC operator to fly @10 abreast. Why is that? Shame of their heritage as FSC? Because this doesn't sound great for passenger experience. No matter how you state and coat it in marketing strategy, which by the way is a hype.

New York should be fun. I'll wait for the vendication of my statement.

By the way, PAL did not also mentioned that the ratio of passengers to lavatories will get worse. So good luck on your que to the toilets after eating 3 meals on long haul.

And if you want window seats, prepare to be seated without. As the current 3-3-3 layout, 67% of passengers get an aisle or window seat, while with a 3-4-3 layout, 60% of passengers get an aisle or window seat, so the ratio of people in non-middle seats gets worse. Its good for BKK, HKG and SIN though.

What can I say? PAL is good at marketing. Their product is bad. Coating it with good publicity and nice FAs would probably lessen your discomfort. But I will always vote for my comfort and my wallet. Taiwan carriers are smiling at me.

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

How many A35K would be operating by June 2026?
It’s surprising that RUH will see the 777 and not DXB nor DOH

Two. Not a surprise. RUH is under capacity for a long time. Its got more OFW than both UAE and Qatar combined.

romantic_guy08 wrote

will these be the older 77Ws? 77 and 76 or any of the 77Ws can be assigned?

GECAS birds are on their way out. It should be 75 and below

[Solblanc]

Didn’t you mention before that the A35K was coming in two layouts? 9ab for East Coast and 10ab for west coast?

Now that they’re sending the planes to JFK, are they blocking seats, or has performance really improved that they can carry 382 pax to JFK nonstop?

[seven13]

Solblanc wrote

Didn’t you mention before that the A35K was coming in two layouts? 9ab for East Coast and 10ab for west coast?

Now that they’re sending the planes to JFK, are they blocking seats, or has performance really improved that they can carry 382 pax to JFK nonstop?

Nah. I don’t recall any 9 abreast A35K for PAL.