Find cheap Philippine Airlines flights

Philippine Airlines has business, premium economy and economy, but they are not created equally. The trick is to know which aircraft you’re flying and on which route.

Business Class

I’ve flown both international and domestic routes with Philippine Airlines and noticed that their business class offerings can vary significantly depending on the aircraft. For example, I always opt for the Airbus A350 on long-haul flights because it offers a fully lie-flat cabin in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring every passenger has aisle access. Multi-course meals and some of the friendliest service in the skies are on the menu.

Although updates are coming, all Boeing 777 planes have a disappointing 2-3-2 seat map while some Airbus A330 aircraft have a 2-2-2 seat map, with angled, lie-flat seats. They’re comfy, but not the best. I have lucked out on many routes, especially to Australia, where the newer A330s with fully-flat beds in a 1-2-1 setup often operate. I always find the same friendly inflight service no matter the plane. Hint: look for routes with the updated A330s featuring the most modern product.

Domestic and shorter international flights have business class in 2-2 setups on their Airbus A321ceo planes with wide recliner seats, but they are hardly cutting edge. I find them more like domestic U.S. first class seats with more recline. Expect a more simple approach to meal service, but that same Filipino hospitality. Luckily, the newest A321neo plane has fully flat beds, but they’re in a 2-2 layout.

Premium Economy

Premium economy on the Airbus A350-900 is a personal favorite of mine. The seats are slightly wider and offer more legroom in a 2-4-2 configuration, making for a more comfortable journey compared to standard economy. However, be aware that the Boeing 777s don't offer this option. I always research my plane’s seat layout before booking (most booking sites make it clear what aircraft type you are flying).

Comfort Class

This is not really a separate cabin, but it is a fare upgrade that comes with extra perks like priority boarding, lounge access and extra snacks. Alas, once you’re on the plane, you’re going to the back of the bus like most everyone else.

Economy Class

If you're planning to fly, get ready to be packed in tightly. On the B777, I noticed the seating configuration is 3-4-3, which means there are lots of hurdles to climb over if you’re not in an aisle seat. The A350 isn't much better, with a 3-3-3 setup, which means those not in an aisle have to climb over neighbors.

The A330s vary in economy class, especially between regional and long-haul flights, offering both 2-3-2 and 3-3-3 layouts depending on the aircraft. Most domestic and regional flights use narrowbody jets with economy class arranged in a 3-3 layout. I prefer Dash 8 planes on shorter domestic hops for their all-economy 2-2 configuration. With no middle seats, I don’t worry about a seat assignment.

Here's a tip: on widebody planes (except the A350), the last several rows of economy have fewer seats due to the aircraft's curvature toward the tail. For instance, some planes shift from 2-4-2 to 2-3-2 at the back, and on the B777, the configuration changes from 3-4-3 to 2-4-2. I rush to assign seats so I can get that first row of the two-seat side since it is not as close to the bathroom.

Pre-flight experience

Here’s everything you need to know about the pre-departure experience on Philippine Airlines.

Baggage policies

The number and weight of checked bags depends on the fare you choose. I always like to consider the options because there are times when buying a higher fare product is less than paying for overweight or extra bags (and it could come with more perks, too).

On international flights between the U.S./Canada and Asia, customers can check two bags up to 50 pounds free when traveling in economy class. Premium economy passengers can add 5 more pounds to each bag without an extra charge, but beyond that, you’re charged for every additional two lbs (one kilo to be exact, which equals 2.2 lbs).

On domestic flights, you’ll want to be a little more careful. Here’s why: their cheapest economy class tickets do not permit checking a bag at all while Economy Saver tickets can check a bag that only weighs 22lbs. Buy up to Economy Value or Flex fares (sometimes, it’s not much more), and you can double the weight. On Dash-8 planes, their smaller size means passengers can check more than one bag, but the weight limit still applies.

What you can bring aboard the aircraft gets trickier. I guard my carry-on carefully to keep it away from their scales as U.S. carry-ons can often be heavier than what they allow (only 15 lbs) plus a personal item like a purse, briefcase or backpack that fits underneath the seat in front of you. Disappointingly, this same restriction applies in all cabins, but business class passengers are rarely hassled. In my experience, they tag all cabin bags with an approved tag so be ready for them to give it a once over.

Upgrades on flights

I really like how Philippine Airlines offers fixed-price and auction-style upgrades on flights. On long-haul flights, leftover premium cabin seats are often available for a discount at check-in. This can be a great way to enjoy a more comfortable flight for less, but only if you are willing to risk the flight having space.

On other flights, you can bid for an upgrade up to 36 hours before departure. I don’t risk it on longer flights, but I do it all the time on short domestic hops. Typically, I bid the lowest price (often $50 or so), and it clears within a day of departure affording me lounge access, priority-check-in, a hot meal and a better seat. It’s worth it, especially if you plan to work inflight.

Lounges

In the Philippines, don’t hold your breath for exceptional lounges. The carrier’s Mabuhay Lounges are only in the Philippines. While there, try the country’s famous “Arroz Caldo,” a type of rice porridge with chicken and toppings. Business class and top elite status passengers with Philippine Airlines get access, but premium economy passengers do not.

Onboard experience

While the airport and lounge experience is not my favorite, the onboard service certainly is. Filipinos are known for their hospitality, and the cabin crew certainly fulfills that reputation no matter where you are sitting. Here’s what you can expect onboard.

Wi-Fi and entertainment

Dubbed myPAL Wi-Fi, the airline offers online access to passengers on its newest aircraft like Airbus A321neo and A350. Its other planes are not yet equipped with it. Business class passengers and Mabuhay Miles Million Milers can use 100MB of Wi-Fi free of charge by using a code provided on board. And anyone who joins the airline’s loyalty program receives free access to texting and messaging apps.

Now, that’s incentive enough to join Mabuhay Miles, especially since the carrier does not have many other frequent flier partnerships. Anyone can use 10MB of Wi-Fi free of charge, but open up one video or social media site, and that limit will be zapped up in no time. Other paid plans come in “light, standard and unlimited” use.

The size of the screen varies per aircraft, but all long-haul, widebody planes have in-seat entertainment with 300 hours of programming. If you’re a cinephile, there are many options with a wide range of international choices. There are also sitcoms and music, but the selection is not the widest for the long sectors the carrier operates. On the B777-300ER planes, I find the screens to be too small and finicky, but the airline’s newer Airbus planes have more impressive systems.

Both business and economy classes have access to the same content, and all seats have power outlets. The myPAL Player app on certain flights is available on planes with Wi-Fi. Without onboard screens, passengers can still watch content on their own personal devices. I recommend downloading the app before you board the plane to make sure it works. All widebody planes have power outlets, but only the new A321neo planes have power in all cabins. Other planes only have charging ports in business class.

Amenities

I love that business class passengers get slippers and amenity kits from designer brands like Furla, but blankets and pillows could be more substantial. Headphones are noise-reducing and sturdy, but they can have a lot of feedback. Hint: the newer A350s don’t have this problem as the older planes do.

Taking a peek at premium economy, a basic amenity kit is at each seat, and all passengers get basic headphones, a pillow and a blanket.

Loyalty programs, miles & credit cards

The Mabuhay Miles program is average at best but makes sense for Filipinos who fly the carrier often.

Mabuhay Miles

Since the airline is not a member of an international alliance, the limited number of other partners may make this worth it if you fly the carrier a lot. I prefer to credit Philippine Airlines flights to All Nippon Airways’ program since it offers better redemption options for U.S.-based travelers and is a part of Star Alliance. I provide my ANA number at check-in, and the miles appear within a few days.

Domestic redemptions in economy class start at 3,500 miles each way; business class starts at 8,500 miles each way. It is all based on the distance of your flight. You can also use miles to upgrade from select fares or save them for international flights.

Elite status

The program offers nice perks for its elite status travelers, which include priority check-in and boarding, lounge access and bonus miles on flights. U.S.-based travelers can join the program and earn status if they fly frequently, but I recommend joining a more rewarding partner program like ANA. As a Star Alliance member, earning miles in their program opens up a vast number of redemptions across dozens of airlines.

Credit cards

While Philippine Airlines has its own co-branded credit card, the PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Mastercard, I would not recommend it for U.S.-based flyers since there are many, many more options that provide significantly greater value. Use a U.S.-based card that offers bonus points for travel and built-in insurance perks. Leave this airline’s card behind.

If you live or work in the Philippines, the only real perk of this card is a 5% discount on international flights when using the card.