Philippine Airlines Debuts its New Business Class

Philippine Airlines, flag carrier of Republic of the Philippines unveiled its all new business class product. Recently procured Airbus A330-300’s will be equipped with these flat-bed business class seats. Maiden flight took off from Manila to Hong Kong on May 17.

PAL has introduced these new on-board services to create a comfy feel for customers, reminding them of an ultra-modern hotel. Ramon Ang, President PAL said by introducing a bi-class Airbus A330 we have successfully accomplished the list of product offerings to our customers. The motto behind creating this product is to offer a never felt before experience to premium travelers, which form a considerable chunk of our passenger database. He further said that we have yet again excelled the market by launching in-flight entertainment services using wireless technology, nearly 30,000 feet above in the air.

The High Gross Weight Airbus A330 aircrafts are bi-class offering economy class and business class seats. There will be 18 V-shaped business class seats, 27 Premium Economy seats and 323 Economy seats in this aircraft. The all new business class product will feature fully-flat bed seats having more than six feet of length and nearly two feet of width. Sogerma Equinox 3D seats are used to form lie-flat seats. The seats also come with retractile partitions, electronic leg rests, in-seat power sockets, sufficient stowage space, reading lights, USB ports and wireless in-flight entertainment system. This will enable passengers bringing their own devices gaining access to PAL’s IFE collection through wireless using OnAir Play technology. PAL will also rent out iPads for passengers traveling minus their personal devices. This service will be free of charge in business class and rest will have to pay a minimal fee in order to enjoy them.

Philippine Airlines had initially ordered 20 of these Airbus A330-300 aircrafts as it wanted it to become Asia’s first airline, having youngest fleet. The airline planned to replace its older aircrafts and re-fleet them in order to expand their operations. 12 of these 20 aircrafts were to be fitted with this new business class product, however for reasons unknown the airline cancelled the order for five of these aircrafts.

The new bi-class A330-300 aircrafts will initially operate services Seoul, Nagoya, Tokyo, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi.