Yep, based upon this review I'm going to cancel a JFK-MNL segment. Too many other options to get to Southeast Asia. I have a better use of 85K AS miles + a positioning flight. Thanks @Benjamin, I appreciate your insight.
Ben- I like this new summary format for your initial thoughts. It makes sense since your reviews are so detailed…a great way catch out interest!
I actually kind of love the PAL landing music. Without the lyrics it would be great
I love this tune also... reminds me of the song Aloha Airlines used to play during takeoff.
Regarding the WiFi situation; I wonder if it is a matter of the vastness of the Pacific particularly a Central Pacific routing VS Northern. It seems that every carrier be it Qantas, NZ, Philippines etc has a connectivity issue across the Pacific.
A midflight "snack" that looks quite heavy? Four hours after a full meal, in the middle of the night? Even if you tell them not to wake you up for it, the service to others must require some light and commotion. Do other transPacific airlines do this? Why?
The point is that it’s available if you want it. I’m sure there are lighter options on the menu too.
“The price of the ticket, as Philippine Airlines undercuts the competition”
Maybe their costs are lower and they can sell tickets at a cheaper price. Or maybe the competitors are overcharging.
Strange that the toilet indicator lights on the bulkhead weren't working correctly, on a new a/c.
Maybe the occupant hadn't fully locked the door, which would activate the 'occupied' light?
Or an early maintenance issue needing attention.
This seems to be a weakness of the A350. I've noticed the same glitch various times on A350 flights with different airlines.
I honestly see them as a top quality Visiting Friends and Relatives airline, meaning it's great for the Filipino diaspora. Manila itself is an objectively terrible city and travelling through there to get to better destinations within the Philippines or Southeast/East Asia broadly will be more of an adventure than your typical American traveller is used to. Note that there was a bullet planting extortion scam running out of that airport until the people literally elected a mass murderer to be their president. After he was term limited they replaced him with the idiot son of a former dictator, and scammers tried it again but to the Philippines' credit they were quickly arrested. I actually would tread carefully after the new president comes in. They might try it again. Things were out of control at the airport in 2015.
Lucky, have you posted your full review of this flight yet?
I'll probably be on this same flight very soon, so just wanted to get your full review ahead of time.