Airlines in the Philippines

[Arianespace]

Evodesire wrote

I think the mono-class A330s would be the best equipment for mercy flights. Unless they decide to use a 777 or 747 in order to do a direct flight. Not sure if an A330 can fly straight on full load. I guess the next best bet would be a 747.

You see we do have scoops in advance even before they happen.

A guy from DFA confirmed to me this flight is going to be A330 mono.

[Arianespace]

chowpau wrote

I have a book about the A330/340 family

Regarding about the E or X, according to the book I have, particularly the A340-300, E or X are the same. Some considered as E for Enhanced.

This what I have summarized from the book (Airlife's Airliners: 16 A330 and A340 up to year 2003):

Yes I did say that they are the same but not quite technically. Thus, this statement

Arianespace wrote

I would like also to add before anything gets more confusing that the 343X
extension from Airbus refers to the heavier variant aircraft which has
extended range, as distinguished from the E which refers to the engine with
more thrust. The most appropriate extension is the 343E because that refers
to the engine and not the aircraft.

Why did I say that they are not the same?

Well, the A340-300X variant was introduced in 1993 as a derivative from the original A340-300 variant introduced in 1987 and which flew on 1991.

The original variant was I think 253T while the X variant was 271T. Airbus was tinkering this model more than what they expect at 267T in 1991. You can read that expectation here

http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1991/1991%20-%201467.PDF

Obviously, the difference on the X derivative was the increased weight, and this -300 derivative was what PAL ordered in 1992 delivered to them in 1996. That's why their plane got an X extension.

Between 1996-2006 there was a plane called Airbus A340-300x and there was the earlier model A340-300's. There was none called A340-300"E".

Now lets talk about its engine.

In 1987, Airbus choose CFM56-5C engines to power the A340. It had 31,000 pounds of thrust.

According to the late Brian Rowe of GE in his book about the A340 engine, they together with SNECMA, were proposing to Airbus originally a 28,000Ib engine which eventually came out to have a thrust rating of 31,500lb.

When it flew in 1991 they soon realized that the plane could make good use of 40,000, which is something beyond the CFM56-5C engine capability. That is the main culprit of the slow climb. They were able to improved it to as far as 34,000lb in 2002 after making some enhancement in 1996.

You can find the engine evolution here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFM_International_CFM56#CFM56-5C_series

Thus the "E" for enhance engine version was born taking flight with South African Airways in 2003.

In other words, the first prototype of A340-300E version was available only in 2002 and flew commercially in 2003, while the A340-300X flew already in 1996. 

You see they are the same but quite different animal.

By the way you can find that information in this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Janes-All-Worlds-Aircraft-2007-2008/dp/0710627920

And did you know that CFM56-5C mistake eventually led to the GE90 that powers the B777? Interesting isn't it?

Airlife is a nice book to have, 16 volumes of them. Its like an encyclopedia and I read all of them but sadly not own a single copy of it.

[romantic_guy08]

i read in a partial article that PR will be the launch customer of the WISE IFE on the long haul A333s...

Philippine’s A330 wireless IFE program will serve as case study

Anyone following the IFE industry closely will understand the significance of Philippine Airlines’ decision to offer a purely wireless entertainment experience to passengers on board its Airbus A330s.

At present, nearly all commercial widebody aircraft are ordered with embedded IFE, and many airlines – Delta and Emirates among them – see those in-seat screens as an absolutely vital part of the passenger experience on long-haul routes. After all, embedded IFE can still deliver an experience that – as yet – can’t quite be matched by wireless IFE solutions on the market due to a variety of factors, including Hollywood’s decision not to permit the streaming of early window movie content to passengers’ own devices.

Even so, Philippine Airlines’ program will be watched by airlines and IFE stakeholders because its success could spur others – including second- and third-tier legacies and low-cost carriers – to go all-wireless on long-haul flights as well, particularly as more and more passengers turn to their own personal electronic devices for entertainment.

We’ve known for some time that Philippine Airlines selected OnAir’s new wireless IFE solution, OnAir Play, for retrofit to its A330s, after also tapping OnAir for inflight mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity on the widebodies.

Now new details have emerged about exactly what this streaming video solution entails. Global Eagle Entertainment says its WISE (Wireless Inflight Services and Entertainment) agnostic software platform is running on OnAir’s hardware, representing the official launch of WISE.

WISE supports most popular mobile devices, laptops and tablets, including Apple iOS and Android operating systems, as well as all major Internet browsers, says Global Eagle, adding that it also features a Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution for secured content streaming, and offers ancillary revenue opportunities, such as payment and purchasing options. Philippine Airlines’ passengers can stream content such as movies, television programs, music and apps for free.

“OnAir provides the hardware (the service and wireless access points) and we provide all the system software. The graphical user interface (GUI) is ours, and when you select a movie, the code that delivers that movie to you and another movie to someone else – all that content handling is what WISE does,” Global Eagle CEO Dave Davis explains to RGN. Additionally, just as Global Eagle supplies content for Philippine Airlines’ aircraft with seat-back IFE systems, the company is supplying content for its wireless IFE on the A330s.

Philippine Airlines president and COO Ramon Ang says the ability to offer a broad content program via the wireless IFE system “is an important amenity for our passengers”.

OnAir holds supplemental type certification for the hardware “and obviously we collaborate actively with respect to the software certification” which includes load testing and making sure the system doesn’t crash when delivering entertainment to 150 passengers, says Davis.

But can OnAir Play and the WISE platform support the simultaneous streaming of movies to a full planeload of passengers on the A330? “I don’t think any system provider can say that their wireless system can support every single passenger, but there have been significant steps [to improve the technology] over the last couple of years. Also take into consideration the fact that some people don’t bring devices and some are sleeping,” says Alexis Steinman, managing director of Global Eagle’s DTI unit, which developed WISE.

He stresses, however, that “everyone who has a desire to have a movie will have that delivery” on Philippine Airlines.

It’s not widely known that WISE is being sold directly to – and used in whitelist fashion by – many heavy hitters outside of OnAir, including Rockwell Collins, Airbus, and Honeywell. Without detailing specifics, Steinman confirms that Global Eagle has secured “several partners [that are] currently public and in the background, and we’re signing up a few [more] a year”.

http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/2014/08/04/philippines-a330-wireless-ife-program-will-serve-as-case-study/

[Evodesire]

Well with the number of OFWs, I guess the mono A330s would be the best choice. Besides, these OFWs dont care much about comfort. All they want to do is to go home.

[Evodesire]

Do you guys think the 787-10 would be a great A340-300 replacement? I guess we are all looking forward to PAL's long haul order once the LT-SMC row is settled.

[Arianespace]

romantic_guy08 wrote

i read in a partial article that PR will be the launch customer of the WISE IFE on the long haul A333s...

I've been talking about it in the previous page and Airboy said that they have none so far the last time he was on board. I think this was the thing somebody from PAL talked to me about, and its not confined to the A330. I was told A340's and A321's will have some of those as well. But I'm not so sure if what he was talking about refer to this product, or the onAir thing with server streamed movies. I was drowning in beer you know.

[Arianespace]

I would say the best replacement is the A350-900. But that is just me.

Why do I say that it is the perfect fit for PAL?

1. It is wider than the B787. And with 3-3-3 configuration that helps a lot in long haul.
2. It has the same seating capacity as the A330 but it can fly far longer than the B787
3. It also can carry more cargo at typical range than the B7810.

But I like the nose of the 787. Its more prettier than the A350. Mind you, I've seen both personally in France and in China.

[seven13]

I'm quite confused. Base on the article, OnAir is the hardware while WISE is the software. Is it comparable to Samsung/Apple = OnAir while Android/iOS = WISE?

-----------
Arianespace/Eurest, is it true that JJB is now placed as Chairman/CEO of PAL? And is now reviewing all memos? I don't want to believe my dad because he always gets the news wrong. In terms of running the company, between the 2 (RSA and JJB), which of them do you think performs/will perform better to make PAL profitable again?

[Evodesire]

Based on my observations, RSA is after profitability no matter what. Reason why he is very aggressive with PAL's expansion. I may not be a fan of the present hybrid model but if it will put money in PAL's pockets, why not. On the other hand, JJB wants to push for the dual branding scheme and to leave PAL as a full FSC. They also had a very good marketing campaign. Problem with JJB under the LT group is that due to his limited powers, he was not so aggressive in PAL's expansion.

IMO though, I feel PAL would be in better hands with SMC in full control. Not even FOD (as he wishes) would not be able to make PAL profitable. Easier said than done.

[Eurest]

That is correct, OnAir is the hardware installed on the airplanes for connectivity purposes.
OnAir Play is one of OnAir's offerings that allow for streaming content on Personal Devices.

Wise, is the software, specifically its more of the App that allows you to watch the media content.
Think of Wise more like Netflix or HBO Go. Global Eagle is the one that licenses the movies, tv shows or documentaries from their respective studios and makes it available on Wise.

As for Mr. Bautista, he is back with PR but not as President. He currently resides in the office of the Chairman, or the Kapitan's office, and posted a memo requiring that the Chairman's office be furnished a copy of all of RSA's managerial directives. He is basically acting as Chairman in LT's behalf but SMC still has full managerial control. The only problem is, his mere presence is a power play towards SMC's authority, so things are where they are right now.

RSA wants to end this situation now, despite what media is reporting, most of the SMC board believe all this LT posturing that they will buyback PR is all about driving the price for their 51% shares higher, especially with PR now back in the black. The LT group needs money for their plans in China.
The LT group's counter offer just shows their relatively meager financial status as compared to SMC.
The only problem for RSA is convincing the rest of the SMC board to pony up the cash, especially with the 6 Panamax vessels situation. Though Petron's recent H1 windfall, spurred on by RSA's brave Malaysia foray, could help others believe this PR situation will also be profitable in the long-term.

As for the whole LT will get EY as partner thing, EY will not buy PR. EY has been buying stakes in carriers, but in markets like Europe, India or Australia which they see as major markets. Asia-Middle East isn't as profitable as India-ME, nor does Abu Dhabi need an Asian carrier to supplement air services restrictions like Europe.

[seven13]

Thanks for clarifying the OnAir. I hope the A321s would get that system installed too!
----
It gets me into thinking, why would LT put JJB to act on his behalf even if SMC has the management control of PR. With their current set up, is  there any veto power or can he disapprove any new regulations set by RSA? I'm not really sure what scope does the management control RSa have. Would anybody here have any idea how many percentage of the board are the allies of which group? Heard from chismis that since RSA took office at least there were 10 executives that were booted out of the company. Wouldn't be too surprising since PR was operating in the red for several years.

EY had been reiterating that they have no interest in investing into PR other than having codeshare agreement. With EY having shot down the rumors of them buying into PR, LTG would be looking at other investors. ANA has also dismissed the rumors of investing into PR.

[Arianespace]

I don't know anything about wise or have slightest idea about it. But I did use their Onair on one of my flights overseas. Its like an access point to the internet in the form of an app. I think I paid $20 in the plane for a password. I was using it for an hour in my ipad. I don't know if there is an android version of their app.
Could be a Netflex kind of thing as mentioned by Eurest.

Now going back to PAL management, the chairman is still LT. Since he don't come to the office he place JJB there as his representative. The LT Group is allowed to do that but management affairs belong to SMC. The furnishing of RSA memo is but a courtesy, and he is there as a flower base as far as I'm concerned possibly for the smooth transition. Until they pay SMC his presence there translate to nothing really.

Like what I sais the previous post, JJB can only desire RSA's power right now. But assuming he takes back the post of President, he won't have the same power enjoyed by RSA. And he do have the backing of the SMC board AFAIK.

[seven13]

JjB have the backing of SMC means they have confidence in him being part of their team in running the company? I hope this management thing hulabaloo finishes soon! Its about time that PAL operates profitably! And of course, the longhaul aircraft orders which have been deferred.

[Evodesire]

Though honestly, I am afraid of PAL ending up with the LT group again. I remember way back 1998 when PAL had to close down due to labor disputes, LT was willing to sell PAL to Cathay even if the latter's plan is to dissolve the PAL brand and to turn Manila into a second hub. Except it didn't happen because President Erap intervened.

Unlike SMC, PAL lacked aggressiveness during the LT time, Arianespace explained why. Well though many of us wanted the dual branding, we now see how a hybrid model now works for PAL at this stage. Plus RSA's aggressiveness of adding and adding destinations plus the acquisition of 100 aircraft.

[romantic_guy08]

Evodesire wrote

Though honestly, I am afraid of PAL ending up with the LT group again. I remember way back 1998 when PAL had to close down due to labor disputes, LT was willing to sell PAL to Cathay even if the latter's plan is to dissolve the PAL brand and to turn Manila into a second hub. Except it didn't happen because President Erap intervened.

Unlike SMC, PAL lacked aggressiveness during the LT time, Arianespace explained why. Well though many of us wanted the dual branding, we now see how a hybrid model now works for PAL at this stage. Plus RSA's aggressiveness of adding and adding destinations plus the acquisition of 100 aircraft.

Speaking of new routes.

I just hope that PR will be more circumspect when announcing new routes. Over the past couple or so years, we've seen PAL announcing several destinations and then cancelling or downgrading them a few months after. Perth comes to mind, which only lasted for about a month. Another route that comes to mind is Jeddah, which never took off. I hope that before announcing these new routes, they have done due diligence and study.

I just think that it creates a lot of ill will between passengers and the airline, especially with what happened to JED where they started to sell flights, that ultimately never took off.

[airboy007]

Rostering for chartered flights are through volunteers. I in fact will be one of the crew to fly the MNL-MAL-MNL flight utilizing a 744 this Friday since a lot of the newer cabin crew are no longer qualified to fly this aircraft.

It's a turnaround flight, but the MNL-MAL sector is a utility flight so its practically just sleeping and eating time for us. heheh.

[Arianespace]

Would have broke the news but it seems Airboy already did.

airboy007 wrote

I in fact will be one of the crew to fly the MNL-MAL-MNL flight utilizing a 744 this Friday since a lot of the newer cabin crew are no longer qualified to fly this aircraft.

It's a turnaround flight, but the MNL-MAL sector is a utility flight so its practically just sleeping and eating time for us. heheh.

[Arianespace]

seven13 wrote

JjB have the backing of SMC means they have confidence in him being part of their team in running the company?

RSA has the backing of the SMC board.

Evodesire wrote

Speaking of new routes.

I just hope that PR will be more circumspect when announcing new routes. Over the past couple or so years, we've seen PAL announcing several destinations and then cancelling or downgrading them a few months after. Perth comes to mind, which only lasted for about a month. Another route that comes to mind is Jeddah, which never took off. I hope that before announcing these new routes, they have done due diligence and study.

I just think that it creates a lot of ill will between passengers and the airline, especially with what happened to JED where they started to sell flights, that ultimately never took off.

And that makes me wonder why the return flight to Perth a year later? And another sub fleet? Doesn't really make sense.

JED though is still in their lists. Hopefully before the next set of managers come in.

[romantic_guy08]

Arianespace wrote

Evodesire wrote

Speaking of new routes.

I just hope that PR will be more circumspect when announcing new routes. Over the past couple or so years, we've seen PAL announcing several destinations and then cancelling or downgrading them a few months after. Perth comes to mind, which only lasted for about a month. Another route that comes to mind is Jeddah, which never took off. I hope that before announcing these new routes, they have done due diligence and study.

I just think that it creates a lot of ill will between passengers and the airline, especially with what happened to JED where they started to sell flights, that ultimately never took off.

And that makes me wonder why the return flight to Perth a year later? And another sub fleet? Doesn't really make sense.

JED though is still in their lists. Hopefully before the next set of managers come in.

Any timelines on when they can launch those additional routes to the ME? I know JED and DOH are in the pipeline... what other destinations are they planning? KWI, BAH, MCT?

[Arianespace]

You must remember that the A330 mono distribution to ME is a SAN MIGUEL plan. With the possible exit of SMC all bets should now be now off the table. Its a whole new ball game. But I am expecting them to add two more routes there.