Airlines in the Philippines

[Eurest]

Congratulations to BBD for securing PR's LoI for 12 dual-class 86 pax configured Q400NGs

Personally 28" seat pitch sounds scary, and I don't think those 10 Y+ seats will get a lot more legroom, but the 900kg improved payload and escalation of A-Check and C-Check intervals from 600/6,000 to 800/8,000 flight hours should provide PR a cost advantage versus CebGo's 78pax 28" pitch 72-600s.

What are the differences to PR's current Q400?
around 20% less cargo. So if PR only offers 10kgs for Q300/400 flights, baggage allowance will likely decrease further.

The variant PR is getting will be available in 2018, no word if PR is launch customer for variant as there seems to be no other takers for this type announced at Singapore this February

[Arianespace]

PAL is the launch customer of this type. The normal legroom of 30" is available in premium but the rest is tight as you illustrated. This is not a five star configuration to begin with. 80 would have been fine but stretching it another row is killing the 5 star dream for longer mission. This should be fine for 30 minute commuter flight, ie Caticlan. Not good for an hour or more flight, ie Surigao ex MNL. And speaking about that I wonder why 5J can't seem to work their way out to SUG ex MNL with their ATR?

For the average Filipino size though, even 24 is enough but that is stretching the limits of safety and convenience of air travel. Expats should be fine up front. Good luck on your cue to the toilet!

[Tigz]

The way I see it for the ATR to Sug-Mla is the 2hr block time will deplete them of another frequency on another route considering 1hr is the typical for prop routes from the hubs in the Phils. The Qs speed makes the difference as it will cut down the time to another 30-40mins. I'm thinking now will make inroads in Surigao and Siargao airports until such time the A320s will be viable.

[Airboy007]

Ive learned that the 3435 is currently being refurbished. Any word on the details? The goal i think is to freshen up the feel of the cabin as you cannot help but feel the age if these planes.

I am also not expectinf any new seats as from what I was told it was just reupjolstering and changing of the colors of the seats?

[Solblanc]

Had they known that the A340s would be staying this long, they should've been refurbished with new seats and IFE as soon as they were first leased in 2013, imho.

On the Q400s, it's an interesting new development. What about the Q300s? No replacement for them? Does that mean that there are no more routes that require the performance capabilities of the Q300?

[Tigz]

That's a token cosmetic improvement on the A343s( a.k.a.  Ex-Iberia), better than nothing until the A350s come in. PAL will have to keep as I've learned EVA Air and China Eastern is becoming a favourite alternative now for Pinoys crossing the continents to North America. They've got newer twin engine planes than the 4 engine Airbus and the fare is very attractive, and when you hit sale season right, its almost half the price of PAL. As for the Q300s, they are the last remaining workhorse turboprops and while pretty much active Canada and some Carribean outfits, production have ceased and parts replacements will be more scarce and expensive. While its still effective on STOL airports in the Islands, the Q400s performance will generally eclipse this with most Philippine runways now on commercial flights being lengthened. This new batch of high capacity Qs will probably replace them all unless PAL will start to venture in resort airports like Bantayan, Siquijor, Camiguin( already served by 5J ) and emerging provincial capitals like Ipil in Zamboanga Sibuguey. The 50 seat is just the right size for this places.

[Patrick Star]

Hi guys, I've been reading on the sidelines for quite sometime now and it's my first time to post in this forum.


Runway Girl Network has just released that PAL will be installing Lantal's air-filled cushions in their new business class seats.

"Over the last 15 years, Lantal Textiles has worked to break the old paradigm of using foam cushions in premium seats by using lighter air-filled cushions, which it touts as providing “compelling comfort advantages” and hygienic properties. Leading carriers such as Etihad, Lufthansa, Swiss, Air Canada and JetBlue use these cushions in their premium cabins, and Philippine Airlines is the newest customer."

Furthermore, they have confirmed that the A330s are going to be refurbished with the Thompson Vantage XL seats and with the air-filled cushions. The planes are due to be refurbished in 1Q of 2017.


https://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/2016/10/19/longhaul-economy-class-is-next-target-for-air-filled-seat-cushions/

http://www.aircraftinteriorsinternational.com/news.php?NewsID=81360

Seems like PAL is going in the right direction with direct aisle access and fully flat beds. :D Hopefully, the new B777s will also get configured in this manner.

[maortega15]

Does anyone know why PR is not using RP-C7771 as its registration? At the moment, it starts with 2 and the upcoming ones will be 8 and 9.

Also, does anyone have any photos of the interior of the upcoming 77W's?

Thanks

[Arianespace]

0-1 is similarly reserved at the CAAP registry, meaning the registration can't be taken by other aircraft. I think it has more to do with fengshui. So we could expect two more orders of this type in the future with that numbers.

[Unbreakable]

No promises. I'll see what i can get by next week.

[maortega15]

Arianespace wrote

0-1 is similarly reserved at the CAAP registry, meaning the registration can't be taken by other aircraft. I think it has more to do with fengshui. So we could expect two more orders of this type in the future with that numbers.

So if 2 more additional 77W's are ordered, 0 and 1 will finally be used?

[romantic_guy08]

Arianespace wrote

0-1 is similarly reserved at the CAAP registry, meaning the registration can't be taken by other aircraft. I think it has more to do with fengshui. So we could expect two more orders of this type in the future with that numbers.

Actually those regs are already used... RP-C7771 is registered to a heli...

[chowpau]

RP-C7771 is registered to a 2008 AGUSTA/WESTLAND A109S GRAND

[Arianespace]

Apologies people. The number was reserved in 2007. 7770-9, 80-81. Remember they planned to operate at least 12 of this type. The A109S was registered in 2008 so perhaps the AW application was made earlier. Funny the CAAP ARL is still blank. And I was not looking at the expired registrations. My fault.

[maortega15]

Thanks Arianespace.  You've been most helpful compared to that dickhead fieldsofdreams who does nothing but rant and kick out from his forum whoever he desires!

[Solblanc]

It is interesting that PAL is indeed pushing through with the refurbishment of the A330s. Based on the links you posted, 144 seats/8 = 18 business class seats per cabin? Or does it include spares?

The announcement of Lantal Textiles corroborates CAPA's article on PAL shopping for premium economy seats. But if ever, these planes will only fly to SYD/MEL/HNL. The A330s don't have the legs to go any further than that. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how things turn out.

[Tigz]

I wonder what PAL have in store next for Boeing but I felt would have been a clean slate if they went with the 789s instead of the A350s.unless their aiming for the 777X next. I think the long backlog plus the price really killed Boeing on that.

[Arianespace]

Solblanc wrote

But if ever, these planes will only fly to SYD/MEL/HNL. The A330s don't have the legs to go any further than that. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how things turn out.

Well, the 235t variant can also fly MNL-AKL, that is about 4400nm, or IST, or TLV that is about 5000nm.

More interesting is the 240t variant. It can fly MNL-FCO (5700) at MTOW. And with the cost of the A330 very much cheaper than the A350, a 300+/- seat is very much efficient indeed. That is if PAL would take that economics.  

[maortega15]

Speaking of the A330's, does anyone know what seats will be used in the back? Is it confirmed that business class will be Thompson's Vantage or Vantage XL? What about IFE provider? Panasonic, Thales or neither? And what about the colors of the materials?

As far as the 77W's go, will they be receiving new seats anytime soon? I heard that the latest 2 deliveries will be getting the Zodiac Aura Lite. I thought they were planning for direct aisle access in business, no?

[seven13]

unfortunately, 7778 and 79 will still have 370 seat, 42JCL and 328ECY. Same configuration with 7772-7. I was hoping for direct aisle access for each JCL seats.

For the A330, Weren't they supposed to keep the config of 3-3-3 in ECY? If PECY will be available, they may use the 2-4-2 config?