PAL now has a mix of older planes, and leased US-registered 744's and French-registered A330's and 340's. Their network caters mostly to Filipinos working abroad, with few nonstop longhauls. The NAIA II terminal in MNL is much nicer than the old terminal still used by competitors.

Their last known FFP partner was TWA. They now seem to have no airline partner. However PALSmiles redemption levels are generous.

Following the traditional pattern for developing countries' airlines, Y cabins are usually quite full, and as most migrant workers, locals do carry as much as they can both onboard and in their luggage; the experience could be dubbed colorful, but perhaps not relaxing.

The front cabins are used by affluent locals who demand good service, foreign businessmen, and transit passengers attracted by the heavy discounts. As such, the product offers seats comparable with non-top tier Asian airlines, and relatively good service (I find Filipino-inspired food a welcome change).

Flights to MNL in December are often sold out. Customers do appear to be overwhelmingly Filipino nationals (when I lived in Japan, the PR flights would only fill up after JL and NW were sold out, except at xmas time).


PALSmiles would be a viable choice only for someone travelling frequently between one of their gateway cities and Southeast Asia, and looking for discounted C fares, or someone living in the Philippines.