Airlines in the Philippines

[Paulus Ragiles]

No, it is PAL's belief that 13 and 22 is unlucky. RP-C7771 (B77W) & RP-C9922 (A321) are examples, they dont exist because 7+7+7+1=22 and 9+9+2+2=22. Take a look at PAL's registration gaps in planespotters.net and add up the numbers. I just dont kow why 7770 doesnt exist.

[cabinpressure]

PAL reveals A321neo configuration. Seat count is 168 seats, lower than the reported 176. Premium indeed.
TL;DR: Full-flat business, In-seat IFE and high speed WiFi in all classes.

Paulus Ragiles wrote

No, it is PAL's belief that 13 and 22 is unlucky.

Maybe 1+3=4, 2+2 =4

[Arianespace]

I think there is something wrong with this announcement. The first A321neo ULR variant (3x act) with 4,000nm range at 168 pax will come out only in February 2019 and PAL is not the first operator. I believe this is only the A321neo LR (2x act) with the amenities mentioned. Another variant of this type was mentioned by CAPA to have a seat of 176. Could be a mix up. It should be capable of flying Brisbane direct though.

[seven13]

BNE will be flown direct starting Mar 24 according to the blog site. DRW will be dropped consequently.

[Travelbug_89]

Where'd this announcement come from? What config for business class? 2-2?

[Arianespace]

As stated earlier,  there are errors to this report.

The A321NEO that PAL receives in February is not the LR variant. While the A321neo ACF story is correct, it does not have the range to fly 4,000nm.

According to Airbus statement yesterday, The A321neo ACF is the base for a longer range (LR) variant known as the A321LR.

The very first of this type was just shown yesterday. The 3500nm-ranged  CFM powered plane if you figure the livery. It will undergo ground tests prior to its scheduled first flight "in the coming weeks" according to Airbus.

Next to this might very well be the first PAL plane (cn8090) with P&W engines.

The first delivery of A321LR is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2018. Air Astana is known to be the first operator of this LR variant.

Having said the facts, it can be told now that the six A321N frames PAL ordered were merely the Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) frames with two auxiliary fuel tanks (ACT) and not the LR variant with 3 ACT for 4,000nm range.

This 97 tonnes base plane with almost 30 tonnes of fuel does have the range to fly 3,500nm at maximum payload according to PAL sources. With 168 passengers it can fly MEL with ease at 15-18t payload. Indeed they don't need the LR kind.

With six of them coming this year, we should see SYD on 2x daily and MEL daily flights in addition to inaugural March flights in BNE. We could see DEL in alternating days when they are flown.

The relieve A330's out of Oz is expected to fly MNL-AKL replacing the A340.

[B77Wflyer]

HI I'm new to this forum and recenlty join I been following this forum since late 2016 only recently decided to join. with regards to PAL A321neo it looks liked their will be no premium economy which I find baffling since they recently introduced on thier recent Tri-class A330 which they deployed to Australia and Hawaill ?

[Travelbug_89]

Sweet!

I wonder if they're still going to add A321LRs for more Australia ops?

[Arianespace]

This was shown today by Tobias Gudat on his Flickr account at Airbus plant in Germany.

Definitely NOT the ACF variant. So what gives?

[chowpau]

I don't if this is the reason

https://centreforaviation.com/insights/analysis/southeast-asia-a321neo-fleet-upgauging-trend-accelerates-limited-long-haul-opportunities-392180

[cabinpressure]

I guess that they just called the vanilla A321neo with auxiliary tanks the "A321neo Long Range version" in Mabuhay magazine article to differentiate it from A321LR and the remaining A321neo with ACF, the former of which PAL will not operate.

One can only wonder if the ACFs will also have the same amenities as the "A321neo Long Range version." It seems a bit overkill to have lie-flat seats in Business for shorter hops.

[Arianespace]

Just got word that the frame 8117 is the ACF kind but not the LR. It still has two ACT. The LR version has 3 ACT, while the existing A321 doesn't have one. There goes the difference.

The earlier comment was made because I was expecting L2 and L3 removed as it lightens the weight further for more payload. But I guess PR doesn't need that.


The variant is apparently available only for the LR which PAL planes are not because they don't need 4knm range. That settles it then.

If this aircraft can do BNE, MEL and SYD, it can also do PER as the intent was to fly OZ and there are six of them.

[Arianespace]

To be fair to everyone, this is a project of the previous administration.

[Solblanc]

Does this include coverage of the airspace above the west Philippine Sea?

[Arianespace]

Yes, although the military has a separate "Elta" system more sophisticated than the civilian radar variant.

[Evodesire]

Any pictures of the upcoming PAL A321NEO? I read before that it's supposed to be delivered this January. When will they start coming in? I also previously read 30 A321NEOs, but in this January's Mabuhay Mag, it said 21. What happened to the remaining 9? To be converted to more A350s?

[Arianespace]

In the paint shop. Image courtesy from T. Gudat

[eejayg]

That is definitely not a NEO. The IAE engine is a dead giveaway.

That said, RP-C9930 should be out of the paint shop soon.

[Arianespace]

You have good eyes. That is what I was saying but that's in the flight line for next delivery.

[Travelbug_89]

All this chatter about A321s doing 8 hr flights got me thinking, will they try to launch Oz flights from other hubs?! That would be interestibg if they did