Philippine Airlines and its affiliate carrier, PAL Express, have embarked on the next phase of their journey to deploy IBS Software's iFly Staff travel solution.

                        Philippine Airlines and its affiliate carrier, PAL Express, have embarked on the next phase of their journey to deploy IBS Software's iFly Staff travel solution.

Built to improve travel operational efficiency for airline employee travellers, iFly Staff is a SaaS solution designed to automate the end-to-end business and leisure travel booking process for airline employees. The partnership with iFly Staff enables PAL and PALex employees, dependents and retirees to plan, book and manage their travel requirements for leisure and business trips via multiple channels and devices.

PAL is the first Southeast Asian SaaS customer of IBS Software and the fourth from the Asia-Pacific region.

Since the go-live, iFly Staff has significantly improved the travel experiences of PAL employees by replacing tedious paper-based manual processes with self-service booking capability, reducing staff travel booking time from days to minutes. Additional benefits include a reduction in general office backlogs, enhanced policy and security compliance, and the facilitation of multiple payment options.

Jo-Ann Maluenda, Vice President of Human Capital at PAL, remarks: "PAL's primary objective is to provide our valued employees, their families, and loyal PAL retirees with a smoother, more streamlined, and user-friendly process for availing of their employee travel benefits. With iFly Staff, our employees can now book their trips anytime, anywhere with just a few clicks. We partnered with IBS Software to achieve end-to-end automation of our employee travel booking and administrative processes, introducing industry-best practices without compromising PAL-specific processes. Our PAL and PAL Express employees work diligently to deliver exceptional service to our customers worldwide, and they deserve a flexible and user-friendly travel experience. We also anticipate substantial savings in back-office work."

Vijay R Chakravarthy, VP & Head of iFly Staff at IBS Software, comments: "We are delighted to have PAL as our first Southeast Asian customer on board iFly Staff. It is significant that PAL has achieved the objectives of this transformation journey and is starting to reap the benefits. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders to enhance experiences and maximize the potential of the solution deployed at PAL."

Philippine Airlines and American Airlines launch new codeshare partnership

Travellers gain seamless connections between the Philippines and the United States

Philippine Airlines and American Airlines have launched a codeshare partnership that introduces the first marketed flights by a Philippine carrier to several U.S. destinations and allows American’s customers to travel to the Pearl of the Orient, Manila, and the beautiful beaches of Cebu.

American’s customers are now able to book tickets on aa.com for codeshare flights operated by Philippine Airlines to Manila and Cebu via Tokyo. Additionally, customers will be able to fly to Manila from Honolulu and Guam.

“We are excited to partner with Philippine Airlines, which will provide our customers seamless connections to Manila, the capital and economic hub of the region, and Cebu, the gateway to countless tropical islands with pristine beaches,” said Anmol Bhargava, American’s Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships. “The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and we look forward to continuing to enhance our partnership with Philippine Airlines.”

Philippine Airlines has placed its “PR” code on American’s flights between Los Angeles and seven U.S. cities: Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and Washington, D.C., enabling excellent connectivity with PAL’s trans-Pacific service.

Philippine Airlines completes purchase agreement for nine Airbus A350-1000s for long-haul routes to North America

The Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has just completed a purchase agreement with planemaker Airbus for the firm order of nine A350-1000 long-range aircraft. 

The agreement was signed during the Paris Air Show by Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and Chief Operating Officer of Philippine Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, in the presence of Lucio C Tan III, President & Chief Operating Officer, PAL Holdings Inc.

 

The A350-1000 has been selected under the Philippine carrier’s Ultra Long Haul Fleet project and will fly on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada. The new aircraft will join two A350-900s already in service at the airline.

PAL’s A350-1000 fleet will be able to accommodate 380 passengers in a three class layout, with separate cabins for Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and Chief Operating Officer of Philippine Airlines, said: “This order will see PAL operating one of the youngest and most modern widebody fleets in Asia. We selected the A350-1000 to give PAL the power to match capacity closely to predicted demand on both the very longest routes to the North American East Coast but also on our prime trunk routes to the West Coast and potentially to Europe as well. At the same time the aircraft will use significantly less fuel than older aircraft of a similar size, which also brings an important reduction in carbon emissions.”

Lucio C. Tan III, President & Chief Operating Officer, PAL Holdings Inc. said: “At Philippine Airlines we are committed to offering our passengers the best possible travel experience. These state-of-the-art aircraft will enable us to give them the convenience of nonstop flights on long range routes in a comfortable passenger cabin where our cabin crew can do what they do best – extend gracious service and world-class Filipino hospitality. The A350-1000 is our “Mission Aircraft” to connect the world and boost the Philippine economy and society.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International said: “This  order is another strong endorsement of the A350 as the world’s long range leader. In terms of non-stop flying capability, efficiency and passenger comfort it is proven to be best in class. It also brings significant reduction in emissions and an immediate contribution to industry sustainability goals. And in the larger widebody category, the A350-1000 has set a standard of its own, with the lowest operating costs and emissions for intercontinental service. We thank Philippine Airlines for its ongoing confidence in Airbus and look forward to working with the airline as the A350 becomes the flagship of its widebody fleet."

Philippine Airlines looks to Airbus and the A350-1000 for future long-haul fleet.

Philippine Airlines selects A350-1000 for future long-haul fleet

Philippine Airlines has signed an MoU - Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for the purchase of nine A350-1000s. 

Under the Philippine carrier’s Ultra Long Haul Fleet project, the A350-1000 will be operated on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada.

The new aircraft will join two A350-900s already in service at the airline and currently flying to destinations in North America, Asia and Australia. As with the A350-900, the PAL A350-1000s will be configured in a premium layout with separate Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins.

Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and Chief Operating Officer of Philippine Airlines, said that the range of the A350-1000 would enable the airline to fly non-stop transpacific and transpolar routes in both directions all year. These will include some of the longest commercial flights in the world, such as those linking the Philippines with New York and Toronto. With an expanded A350 fleet, PAL will have the ability to once again provide a direct link from the Philippines to Europe.

“The A350-1000 combines greater range capability with the higher capacity we need to serve future demand. It’s the perfect aircraft to enable PAL to meet its expansion plans in a sustainable way, while offering passengers the highest levels of onboard comfort. We are committed to offering our passengers the best possible travel experience, and these state-of-the-art aircraft will enable us to do just that as we carry out our mission to connect the world, and grow trade and tourism.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus' Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Flying passengers farther and in greater comfort, the A350 brings a step-change in fuel efficiency and an immediate significant contribution to reduced emissions. These are the attributes that have made the A350 the choice of leading airlines worldwide. We look forward to working closely with our long-standing customer Philippine Airlines as it moves forward with its long-haul fleet modernisation programme.” 

Emirates and Philippine Airlines announce interline partnership

                                  Emirates and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have signed an interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both air carriers to new points on each other’s networks via Manila and Dubai, using a single ticket and one baggage policy.

Now in effect, the reciprocal interline partnership provides Emirates’ passengers access to 19 Philippine domestic destinations operated by Philippine Airlines, including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Cotabato, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo and more, as well as two Asian regional points via Manila. Philippine Airlines’ passengers also benefit from access to Emirates’ global network and seamlessly connect to 21 cities operated by Emirates beyond Dubai to European destinations such as London, Rome, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Paris and Kuwait, as well as to Jeddah and other points in the Middle East, Africa and India. 

Travel itineraries can be booked on emirates.com, philippineairlines.com, the Emirates and PAL mobile apps, or via both online and offline travel agents.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer commented: “The Philippines is one of our strongest consumer markets and we’re pleased to sign a new interline agreement with the country’s flag carrier. The partnership with Philippine Airlines will help open new links for trade and tourism that will drive more inbound traffic into the market, and expand Emirates’ footprint in East Asia. We look forward to serving our partner airline’s customers with additional travel choices to Emirates destinations across the Middle East, Europe as well as the Americas, and to expanding our cooperation with plans to include additional points via Cebu in the coming months.”

Philippine Airlines Partners with IBS Software to Empower Employees by Transforming Staff Travel

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its regional affiliate PAL Express (PALex) have partnered with IBS Software to provide their employees with a new, fully digital system for booking and managing staff travel. The airline group has signed up to implement IBS Software’s fully automated SaaS solution iFly Staff, which enables them to automate leisure and duty travel processes. Through the new system, PAL can better support employees, their beneficiaries and PAL retirees to manage travel through a self-service digital platform, empowering employees and enhancing staff satisfaction.

 By replacing its in-house travel booking solution with an omnichannel self-service platform, PAL can deliver employees the flexibility to book and amend travel plans through desktop or mobile channels. The iFly Staff solution also allows flexible payment options, including integration with e-wallets such as PayMaya and GCash.

Airbus to support Philippine Airlines’ traffic ramp up with cabin upgrades and new material services

Airbus to support Philippine Airlines’ traffic ramp up with cabin upgrades and new material services 

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has selected Airbus to perform cabin modification for 15 aircraft and expand the material services programme for the airline’s Airbus fleet. 

The cabin modification agreement covers 11 A320, two A330-300s and two A350-900s.

When completed, PAL’s A320s will have 24 extra seats to bring the total seat count to 180, a configuration that suits the airline’s requirements for short-haul inter-island domestic routes. The two A330s will gain an additional 50 seats to bring the total seat count to 359 for better airlift capability on key higher-density regional routes and repatriation flights. The A350s will gain another 18 seats for a total of 313 seats, which still preserves the roomy cabin layout and passenger-friendly experience that PAL Business Class and Economy Class travellers enjoy on the A350’s long-haul routes.

PAL has contracted Airbus to provide the relevant Service Bulletins and kits required for the cabin modification programme, which comes as part of the carrier’s fleet restructuring plans. 

“Philippine Airlines believes that, as we exit the pandemic, our fleet restructuring strategy helps us to better adapt to changing market situations and ensure that we are well-positioned for recovery,” said Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, PAL Chief Financial Officer. “Our aircraft deployment decisions and related technical support arrangements are tailored for a restructured network that suits a vastly different global environment.” 

Philippine Airlines Emerges from Chapter 11

At the end of 2021, Philippine Airlines Inc confirmed it had emerged from its voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings as a more efficient airline with a strengthened balance sheet, reaffirming its continuing role as the Philippines’ sole full-service airline with the largest international network.

PAL successfully completed its financial restructuring within four months, in contrast to other airlines that remain in the Chapter 11 process more than a year after filing in 2020. The Philippine flag carrier credits the strong support of its creditors and shareholders, the cooperation of its industry partners and the collective efforts of PAL employees around the world who sustained flights on multiple international and domestic routes throughout the restructuring period.

PAL has streamlined operations with a reorganized fleet and is now better capitalized for future growth. The Company’s Plan of Reorganization, which was approved by the U.S. restructuring Court on December 17, 2021, provides for over US$2.0 billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors, improvements in PAL’s critical operational agreements and additional liquidity including a US$505 million investment in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder.

The airline’s consensual restructuring plan was accepted by 100% of the votes cast by its primary aircraft lessors and lenders, original equipment manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul service providers, and certain funded debt lenders.

Philippine Airlines confirms restructuring programme.....

Philippine Airlines has confirmed this week that it has entered into a series of agreements with substantially all of the Company’s lenders, lessors, and aircraft and engine suppliers, as well as its majority shareholder, to allow the Company to successfully restructure and reorganize its finances to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and emerge as a leaner and better-capitalized airline.

Flights to continue uninterrupted and all valid tickets, vouchers, refund applications and Mabuhay Miles to be honored

Agreements with majority of lessors, lenders and other creditors for over US$2.0 Billion in payment reductions and other changes from the permanent restructuring of the PAL balance sheet

Infusion of US$505 Million of new debt and equity funding from existing shareholder and domestic commercial banks to provide sufficient liquidity during recovery

Arrangement for US$150 Million of additional debt financing from global private investors to facilitate post-restructuring activities

Voluntary pre-arranged filing in the US under Chapter 11 to implement restructuring plan

Recognition of the U.S. filing in the Philippines under Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA)

Ongoing trade creditors and suppliers, are expected to be unimpaired by the restructuring plan

Passengers and employees are unaffected by the restructuring

The restructuring plan, which is subject to court approval, provides over US$2.0 Billion in permanent balance sheet reductions from existing creditors and allows the airline to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25% and includes US$505 Million in long-term equity and debt financing from PAL’s majority shareholder and US$150 Million of additional debt financing from new investors.

ANA invests $95 million in Philippine Airlines

All Nippon Airways has announced it is further enhancing its investment portfolio by taking a small chunk of Philippine Airlines (PAL) the group confirmed this week. Japan's largest and highly regarded full service carrier says it will invest $95 million US dollars in PAL Holdings 

The major investment by ANA heralds the dawn of a new era of growth for PAL, which has already embarked on a mass full-scale expansion programme that has seen its fleet and network grow to almost 100 aircraft serving 80 destinations in four continents. This period of growth has coincided with an emphasis on updating and enhancing its product,both in-flight and on the ground. That programme of improvements has already proved successful as PAL was recently recognised as the World's Most Improved Airline for 2019.

Shinya Katanozaka, President and CEO of ANA HOLDINGS INC., said: "Asia is a key growth market and we believe Philippine Airlines is in an excellent operational position to capitalize on both the strong uptick in air traffic growth as well as the vibrant, expanding Philippine economy. We look forward to expanding our business relationship with Philippine Airlines so we can continue to serve our passengers even better."

Three new Bombardier Q400s for Philippine Airlines from Chrous

Chorus Aviation from Canada has confirmed this week that is placing three Bombardier Q400 turboprops with Philippine Airlines on a long-term lease basis.  

The new Q400s are scheduled for delivery to Philippine Airlines during the latter part of this year and are the first leasing transactions in the fast-growing Southeast Asia region for the Halifax based Chorus Aviation.  The company's president, Steven Ridolfi said: "Philippine Airlines is a celebrated airline with a long and renowned history as the flag carrier of the Philippines, and we are very proud to count them amongst our customers."

PAL President & Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said, "We are very pleased to form this working partnership with Chorus Aviation Capital and we look forward to building business ties with them. By joining their growing portfolio of aircraft lessees, Philippine Airlines will be able to further grow its domestic market. New aircraft help us to build new air links and increase flight frequencies on routes that are vital to national commerce."

Philippine Airlines welcomes first Airbus A350

During a special ceremony in Toulouse, France, Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO of Philippine Airlines cut the ribbon and took delivery of the airlines first A350 XWB.

Philippine Airlines has ordered six A350-900s, which it intends to use mainly on routes to North America and Europe and is the  19th airline to operate the world’s most modern and efficient long range airliner.  Currently, the longest route Philippine Airlines operates is Manila to New York, a distance of over 8,000 miles and takes around 17 hours and previously needed a technical stop in Vancouver, however, thanks to the A350, the carrier will now be able to operate the route with no stops!

Philippine Airlines has decided to configure its A350-900s in a three-class arrangement, 30 seats that convert to fully flat beds in Business Class, 24 seats offering extra space in Premium Economy and 241 18-inch wide seats in the main economy cabin.  One of the many features on the A350 is the Airspace by Airbus cabin, with more personal space and full connectivity throughout. The cabin is the quietest of any twin aisle aircraft and features the latest mood lighting and air conditioning systems. Higher humidity levels and a lower cabin altitude all contribute to added well-being on board, especially for long range flights.

New Airbus operations for Philippine Airlines

On Monday, Philippine Airlines' Airbus A321neo took its maiden flight to Brisbane, Australia from the airlines home base of Manila.

There were special ceremonies at the NAIA Terminal 2 in Manila at the start of the inaugural flight of the A321neo operations.  President and COO Jaime J. Bautista was on hand to join in the celebrations of the first revenue flight of the type for the airlines.

The 168-seater modern aircraft has 12 full-flat seats in business and 156 seats in economy, all have TV monitors on all seats, free WiFI connection and myPAL eSuite to access more in-flight entertainment choices.  

The airline has also announced that it will use a new Airbus A350 on the Manila – New York JFK nonstop service, replacing 1-stop flight via Vancouver. The A350-900xwb will be on the route from 28th October this year instead of the Boeing 777-300 that currently operates the route. From 4th November, the airline will operate flight PR126 with the A350 departing Manila at 2100 arriving New York's JFK at 2315 local time. On the return, flight PR127 leaves at 0145 landing back in the Philippines 0715. 

Before that, the airline will introduce the A350-900 XWB on a regional rotation on the Manila to Hong Kong route between 20th July and 31st August this year. 

New security checks for US and UK bound Philippine Airlines passengers as they launch new route to Seoul

A new route linking South Korea's Seoul Incheon airport with the popular resort of Palawan in the Philippines has been launched by the national carrier Philippine Airlines.

The new daily flight will be served by a 199-seat Airbus A321 and marks the first direct route between South Korea and the island province. Airport officials indicate they expect some 120,000 passengers each year will use the direct link.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines has complied with new US and UK regulatory requirements and enhanced its security measures concerning powders.  For the carriers, US-bound flights the airline will screen powder-like substances on a random continuous basis aside from screening all electronic devices larger than a mobile smartphone effective 30 June 2018. The airline advises passengers that there will be slightly different check-in counter and gate screening set up and to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before flight departure.

Philippine Airlines is now implementing enhanced security measures for its UK-bound flights – Manila-London Heathrow - by way of additional random screening of check-in baggage and gate screening procedures of passengers and hand carry baggage, again it asks passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure. 

Philippine Airlines’ A350 XWB completes first flight in Toulouse

Philippine Airlines new A350-900 has completed its first flight from the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France. The flight marks the start of the final phase of the production process, leading to customer acceptance and delivery in the coming weeks.

Philippine Airlines has ordered six A350-900s. The airline will use these aircraft on its premier long-haul services from Manila to destinations in North America and Europe.

Philippine Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo aircraft

Philippine Airlines has taken delivery of its first

A321neo aircraft in Hamburg, Germany.

This is the first of 21 A321neo aircraft ordered by the airline under its fleet renewal programme. Powered by Pratt and Whitney Pure Power engines, the new aircraft features a premium two two-class with 12 business class seats and 154 seats in the main cabin.

Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, comfort and range, Philippine Airlines will deploy the A321neo aircraft across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and India.

The A321neo joins an existing Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that currently includes 25 A320ceo Family aircraft, 15 widebody A330s and five A340s. The carrier will also take delivery of the first of six A350-900 widebody aircraft on order later this year.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market.

Taiwan slowly being erased from the global scene..... how airlines are caving in to China's orders

China is succeeding in obliterating Taiwan from the face of the earth... at least in the terms of airline computer reservation systems.  

Many airlines around the world have crumbled and caved to a demand from the Chinese authorities to refer to Taiwan as part of China in all literature and websites. Nearly twenty of the worlds major airlines have completely removed Taiwan from all their websites and just refer to destinations such as Taipei as in China.

At least 16 other airlines have partly submitted to China's orders and use the phrase Taiwan - China, on their websites and booking engines. 

The sudden change comes after the Civil Aviation Administration of China sent a letter on 26th April to 36 foreign airlines ordering them to explicitly refer to Taiwan as a part of China. There are only a couple of days left for the airlines to either fold and submit to Cina's demands or face business sanctions in China. 

The fact that so many airlines have already crumbled has been seen as a clear victory for China’s President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party’s aims of forcing foreign companies to conform to their geopolitical vision, even in operations outside of China, even if it differs from what is the general or legal global viewpoint.  

Many critics see this as just the next step in the Chinese nationalistic programme to exert economic power to change political or accepted norm, that in the case of Taiwan could see a complete military takeover. China regularly sends up its fighter jets to buzz the coast of Taiwan or Taiwanese shipping and are seeking to isolate Taiwan both financially and politically. 

Philippine Airlines view the A350-1000

The national airline of The Philippines is looking to add the largest version of the Airbus A350 family to its fleet the carrier’s president said on Thursday.
Philippine Airlines is currently undergoing a massive $2 billion that's approximately £1.4 billion expansion and fleet renewal programme to give it one of the youngest fleets in Asia.
“It is one airplane we can consider. It is a bigger version of the A350-900,” Jaime Bautista, president of the airline’s operator, PAL Holdings Inc, told reporters before an A350-1000 test flight in the capital Manila.

More flights to China from Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines has announced that from the 25th March 2018 it will increase the number of flights it operates to China.

The airline said today that from March it will increase the number of flights it offers from 99 to 103 a week. Part of the aim of the increase is to encourage more Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines, the airline advises.  "In support of the national campaign targeting 2 million annual Chinese tourist arrivals, Philippine Airlines is ramping up operations to China by increasing flight frequency on existing routes and opening up new destinations in China." the company said.

"The spike is due to the shift to daily Manila- Jinjiang and Manila-Guangzhou services from the current five times weekly on each route," the statement continues,  "These numbers are expected to continue surging in 2018 as PAL further expands flights in the coming months from new Chinese cities: the industrial mega-city of Tianjin in northern China, the commercial trading center of Shenzhen in the Pearl River Delta, and the southern city of Nanning that hosts the annual China-ASEAN Expo," 

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Philippine Airlines (PAL) launches a new Brand Equity campaign - Experience the Heart of the Filipino

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the national flag carrier of the Philippines and Asia's first airline. As PAL continues to strengthen its brand story of delivering heartfelt customer service, it launches a new Brand Equity campaign poised to win over foreign leisure travellers from international markets with the theme: "Experience the Heart of the Filipino".

With a rich 76-year history, PAL boasts of many 'firsts' -- including being the first airline in Southeast Asia to cross the Pacific on July 31, 1946, the first to operate to Europe via a DC-4 service to Rome and Madrid, and the first to introduce the world's first fully-flat sky beds aboard the B747 jumbo jets, among many others.