PAL to launch New York flights in 2015, expand to North America

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has indicated that its plans to begin flights to New York City from next year stand despite a change in the airline’s top management. Philippine’s national carrier will be launching new flights to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport effective from March 15, 2015.

The launch of the new service will co-occur with the 74th anniversary of Philippine Airlines’ founding. The flights to New York JFK will be operated four times per week via Vancouver. The airline will be operating the flights on all days except Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

With the launch of new flights to New York from Manila, Philippine Airlines will now become the second carrier from Southeast Asia to provide flights services to New York. According to the airline, New York will become its seventh North American destination. The airline is presently serving six destinations in North America, which includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Guam, Toronto and Vancouver.

Philippine Airlines will be operating flights on Manila-Vancouver-New York City route with the help of an Airbus A340-300 aircraft. The airline has decided to also offer Air wireless IFE system on this route. This system is being currently offered on its Airbus A330s and A343s being operated on other long-haul routes.

The passengers traveling in business class cabins will be able to use their smartphones or laptops for accessing the airline’s IFE (in-flight entertainment) collection through Wi-Fi. This could however be accessed only after the passengers download a special app prior to their boarding. The passengers will be required to pay a nominal fee for accessing the Internet. However, the customers traveling in economy class without their smartphones can rent an iPad after paying a fee.