Airlines in the Philippines

[ewh1]

I'm really curious as to what their choices are for Premium Economy.  The selections seem to indicate that they plan to offer a regular economy seat with extra legroom. Does anyone have any insight as to what their plan is?

Personally, the Recaro economy seats look very interesting.

[chowpau]

seven13 wrote

With the impeding reconfig of the monoclass, is PR keeping the configuration of the 876X series to be deployed to the middle east so that a high density seating could provide cheaper fares for our kababayans, who tend to be price sensitive?

Word I heard it will be all of the A330

[seven13]

chowpau wrote

seven13 wrote

With the impeding reconfig of the monoclass, is PR keeping the configuration of the 876X series to be deployed to the middle east so that a high density seating could provide cheaper fares for our kababayans, who tend to be price sensitive?

Word I heard it will be all of the A330

This would be really good for the regional, high yielding routes of PR (Japan and Korea) as well as Aussie and Honolulu. I wonder what's the plan with Middle East (maybe we can exempt AUH since I heard there were quite a number of complaints when a passenger books an EY ticket onto Manila ending on a PR plane for the AUHMNL vv sector, especially on J)

[Evodesire]

Would anyone have an idea if they are returning the A330s also to a 2-4-2 ECY configuration? With the new slogan and new direction of the PAL plus the new seats being teased, it seems like they want to transform back PAL into a full legacy carrier to compete with CX etc after RSA changed it into a hybrid to compete with Cebu Pacific.

If thats the case, will the present A321s be getting new seats too?

I wonder whats going to happen to PAL Express also...

[maortega15]

Evodesire wrote

Would anyone have an idea if they are returning the A330s also to a 2-4-2 ECY configuration? With the new slogan and new direction of the PAL plus the new seats being teased, it seems like they want to transform back PAL into a full legacy carrier to compete with CX etc after RSA changed it into a hybrid to compete with Cebu Pacific.

If thats the case, will the present A321s be getting new seats too?

I wonder whats going to happen to PAL Express also...

2-4-2 in EY is standard for the A330/A340 so if they will be returning to full legacy carrier, then its guaranteed. 3-3-3 are for the LCC and ULCC like Cebu and Lion Air.

[chowpau]

Evodesire wrote

Would anyone have an idea if they are returning the A330s also to a 2-4-2 ECY configuration? With the new slogan and new direction of the PAL plus the new seats being teased, it seems like they want to transform back PAL into a full legacy carrier to compete with CX etc after RSA changed it into a hybrid to compete with Cebu Pacific.

If thats the case, will the present A321s be getting new seats too?

I wonder whats going to happen to PAL Express also...

I read in the other portal (not scc) that the monoclass A330 will be reconfigured to tri-class 311 seats. The Mabuhay Class will have IFE (the dark blue seat shown at the picture above). Not sure what for Premium Eco and Economy but it will have IFE too in 2-4-2 layout. Unsure for the existing tri-class A330 which might return to the lessor.

A321, same portal said that it will be having the same configuration as QR or BR

[maortega15]

My question is what will be the pitch. 32" is standard so I feel that should be good enough.

They will obviously choose their own custom finish and trim for the seats. Any idea on the color of the seat covers and material?

Curious to know, does PR have enough slack to take out at least one frame for maintenance so it doesn't screw up their fleet planning?

Lastly, will the narrowbodies have IFE as well?

[seven13]

maortega15 wrote

My question is what will be the pitch. 32" is standard so I feel that should be good enough.

They will obviously choose their own custom finish and trim for the seats. Any idea on the color of the seat covers and material?

Curious to know, does PR have enough slack to take out at least one frame for maintenance so it doesn't screw up their fleet planning?

Lastly, will the narrowbodies have IFE as well?

I guess they can. They did downgrade KIX and NGO last year to A321 from the current A330. ICN currently operates 2X A321. HND which is currently served by daily each A330 and A321 could use a 2X daily A321 service again.

Maybe when the A321neo arrives, they'll be the first ones to have IFEs on ECY. The current A321s are being fitted with the WIfe, C9901 and 9915 as being the first 2 aircraft to have them.

[maortega15]

I know that this question is moot now, but I'm curious to know why PR was flying white A340's at a time when they first acquired them from Iberia and Airbus? How come it was not painted prior to delivery? Was it because of the cost or lack of time?

If anything, they could've at least applied some decals, not just the registration but curious to know why it was just a white A340.

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

With the impeding reconfig of the monoclass, is PR keeping the configuration of the 876X series to be deployed to the middle east so that a high density seating could provide cheaper fares for our kababayans, who tend to be price sensitive?

I'm sorry to burst anyone's bubbles but it ain't happening.

What is, your seat dreams.

If we have to judge the seating arrangement of the A359 then we have to throw all your re-configuration arguments away, whatever the apparent sources is, because they are basically incompatible with how PAL dresses its brand new bird.

If it comforts everyone, the shown seats are for the incoming fleet, which simply mean the new ones. I never heard that they will be installed to existing fleet, other than installation of J seats to two of the A330's. Note, its not all.

And If I may say it again, no airline operator in the world is crazy enough to change all seats to a practically brand new plane. Whoever got that information is fantasizing what could have been.  

I'm sure you are wondering why?

RSA's hybrid "strategy" did actually worked for them, particularly the Middle East. And they are still being implemented by today's management.

PAL experimented the idea of becoming a full legacy carrier again by doing AUH rounds but failed to gather enough warmbodies up front. On some time they ended up with empty roundtrip J seats that fielding the monoclass A330 turns out the most appropriate, until they decided to stop J service altogether and endorsed them to EY that happens to have better service than them.  

What worked wonders for PAL and, if I may say fairly to CEB is the Y class to ME. So I supposed some of the ME-based OFW's can live without IFE's in exchange for some savings to spend back home.

With this thought, CX is trying to catch OFWs back with lower fares and IFE benefits which the local carriers don't provide. I've read almost everyone here wanted local carriers also to have this blings.

Meanwhile, I just had conversation with a couple of these OFW's and their answers surprises even you. Most of them, the hardworking men and woman of the ME just wanted to fly home the fastest and the cheapest. Because they are coming back pretty quick for work. So what's the benefit of IFE's when you lose some valuable time with your family? Damn right.
RSA figure it correctly.

As for the rest, they got the ME3 carriers at their disposal because it was given to them for free. Well, not actually free because they are part of their contract, and most likely a deduction from their wages. As for the regular workers, i.e. those with employment contracts, they pay their own fare. See the difference?

So why Middle East matters? Because it will become its gauge if PAL can successfully rally to become the airline they intend to be. A five star airline. As you may now know, the current airline strategy in ME is incompatible with the rest of the PAL network. It works well that it has now become a dilemma for them, or should we say their ambition.

Which begs us the question. How can you worked on something better that already works good?

[Arianespace]

maortega15 wrote

I know that this question is moot now, but I'm curious to know why PR was flying white A340's at a time when they first acquired them from Iberia and Airbus? How come it was not painted prior to delivery? Was it because of the cost or lack of time?

If anything, they could've at least applied some decals, not just the registration but curious to know why it was just a white A340.

On white tails, it is mostly the lessee that shoulders the painting. When it is return back it is also the lessee that paints them back to white tails again. It was not painted because they were deployed immediately to service.

By the way the plane is not owned by Iberia. But you can find everything Iberia on it inside.

[peterpiloto]

AFS (Airbus Financial Services) I heard. Wondering how those birds look right now. Took 3436 three years ago via PAL318, and it was just a few days fresh from a rebrand (not a full repaint) from the Iberia livery to the PR livery. Condition of the cabin and the lavatories were good, but the seat designs in Y really showed the age of the aircraft. The cabin only had an odor that resembled an expired underarm.

[cabinpressure]

Arianespace wrote

PAL experimented the idea of becoming a full legacy carrier again by doing AUH rounds but failed to gather enough warmbodies up front. On some time they ended up with empty roundtrip J seats that fielding the monoclass A330 turns out the most appropriate, until they decided to stop J service altogether and endorsed them to EY that happens to have better service than them.  

I wonder what happens with the EY partnership now. But yeah, no surprise with the points you've raised regarding the new seats (or lack thereof). That being said, it's a bit sad that they would be essentially introducing old seats to a new plane. At least there's something to look forward to when the new 77Ws arrive.

LimaSierra wrote

AFS (Airbus Financial Services) I heard. Wondering how those birds look right now. Took 3436 three years ago via PAL318, and it was just a few days fresh from a rebrand (not a full repaint) from the Iberia livery to the PR livery. Condition of the cabin and the lavatories were good, but the seat designs in Y really showed the age of the aircraft. The cabin only had an odor that resembled an expired underarm.

Was on 3437 earlier this month. The seat upholstery were literally falling apart, but way more cushy than the new A321/A330s, so I didn't mind.

[seven13]

Well it came from the video JJB/PAL showed to everybody last anniversary celebration. I think the celebration at Solaire last 16th. So I was quite shocked that they are pushing it contrary to your analysis.

So it also puzzles me if they will be reconfiguring to a lesser density, their ME routes would suffer from high operating cost (since PR is aiming for 5 star in 5 years) then the clientele are low yielding.

So taking from your statement, 2 A330s will be retrofitted with the new J seats? Are these birds guinea pigs to test the market upfront, if they can attract passengers?  

[Arianespace]

Perhaps you are taken and was sold out by a sales presentation that was intended as a pitch for their marketing team because there is nothing to it but a projection of their dreams, of what they want to achieve in the future.

The proof is in the pudding so to speak.

You must consider that a shift in airline direction starts with fleet planning, configuring it in such a way that mimics competitors behaviour, i.e. following the likes of CX business directions if it really wanted to have a five star rating.

We've been doing the rounds before PAL announced the A359 configuration if they were really up to task about their desires because the outcome would determine the airlines direction for the next 10 years. However results turns out dismal and inconsistent with their pronouncement. Whatever management brings to the new bird reflects their business strategy for the future and clearly we were shown the opposite way. So that itself should dispel rumors.

While PAL was seeing a surplus of equipment two years ago, this is not now the case with the Middle East operations now in full swing, with 6 A330 mono on rotations. The bi-class variant however is in short supply that they are sometimes filled with A340s. So re-configuration of the two was a necessity. In fact it was already announced by JJB that they will have to. But I think what you heard was for all which changes everything because its inaccurate. The configuration will most likely reflect the existing ones. As for the rest of the monoclass, PR's profit on the ME have been spectacular that I personally don't know how they would change ship midstream with this money so good just because of some misplaced prestige. After all, they are not like a state airline called "Garuda" with sovereign resources at their disposal.

[ewh1]

So confusing to hear what your telling and what the airline is saying. in the news I get the impression they want to start offering a more premium product in order to garner higher fares. this was even mentioned by Ian Reid their chief financial advisor based on a CAPA article that passengers are willing to pay more the larger the distance they fly.

unless these grand plans are only here to drive up the stock price/interest with this elusive "strategic investor"

Like you said, "the proof is in the pudding" guess we will have to wait and see.

[tigz]

I do believe its a catch 22 for PAL projecting an image in the future that contradicts what is working in the present. I don't see them giving away mono class in the mideast as its a matter of survival. To be at par with the likes of CX and Singapore in 5 yrs doesn't seem to cut it as majority are still the Filipino market.

[crusher.wake]

Found this while scrolling down my feed on instagram. So on what aircraft type will these seats be installed?

[seven13]

Now I get it when you said 2 A330s will have to be reconfigured. There has been an upgrade of aircraft for PR422 (daytime HND flight) which saw A321 operating the whole year last year. KIX and NGO seems to see a widebody aircraft nowadays. ICN did downscale to A321s though.

I guess, we'll have to wait what the company will bring to its customers.

Were you part of the Nielsen survey conducted by PR to random flyers? I wonder what was the target sample size.

By the way, was HA the codeshare partner PR was referring to during the start of the year or it's another airline?

[ewh1]

New insights on the cabin reconfiguration and utilization stats for the A330s
http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/philippine-airlines-to-introduce-premium-economy-reinforcing-a-full-service-network-airline-model-273820