A333 RP-C8784 was the first refurbished A333, commencing service on 14 June 2017. It is mostly operating the MNL - HNL - MNL sectors, but has also done very occasional flights to and from BKK, CEB, DVO and HKG as the HNL flights (on which I think PR has a monopoly for nonstops) are not daily. It has operated most of the HNL flights since 15 June.

On 15 July, the second one, RP-C8785 apparently enters service on the thrice a week MNL - MEL - MNL PR209/210 route, followed by a third in mid August 2017 on the MNL - SYD route. As this has either a night or a day flight ex MNL (4 x night, 3 x day ex MNL, but all daytime back though at either 0600 or 1030 ex SYD) and it is not possible to use one aircraft on both as they cross midway some days, it may be that PR211/PR212 get the new aircraft and PR213/PR214 do not, although since MEL is not daily they might be able to use that aircraft, or the HNL one when HNL is not scheduled.

Each month, more routes will be added including Japan but it is important to check each flight as aircraft could change and one might sometimes get one of the two-class unrefurbished ones, which have an unusual flatbed in J and awful 3-3-3 narrow seats in Y.

The refurbished ones have had c. 100 economy seats removed to make it a far more acceptable 2-4-2 arrangement while in J it becomes an excellent 1-2-1 proper flatbed, the same as on QF A333s. IFE is being fitted to all seats in all classes while premium economy (W) makes an appearance as well. I think W class is 2-3-2.

In total from memory there will be 309 seats in total on the refurbished A333s.

Should be a very good product when coupled with the usual friendly PR service. Food for instance to date has been better out of MEL and SYD than ex MNL so the airline needs to look at that.

The remaining A333s - the ones presently used to MEL (until 15 July) and occasionally SYD - are now allegedly also to be refurbished so when eventually complete (perhaps by the end of 2018 if we are lucky) it should be a much improved A333 on offer from PR, bearing in mind that this carrier's J and Y fares are often very competitive.

PR also sometimes has very good sales for J, but I haven't seen one for a few weeks. Its fares between Australia and MNL are usually well below QF's yet the staff tend to be nicer. 5J also operates MNL - SYD - MNL but by the time one prices in the 'extras' on the Y fare offered, it can sometimes be just as or almost the same fare as PR, but with a much tighter pitch and low level of service (you pay on board for everything.)

Unlike BI out of Melbourne (which requires a change in BWN, and on some days an overnight there to get to MNL), PR serves alcohol that is a must have on an international flight for many travellers, even if only in small quantities, and PR thankfully serves pork. It has Western or Filipino dishes with the J menus having up to four choices.