Philippines’ air carriers can add flights and service to the United States

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Good News: The Philippines received approval to fly more flights to USA and now begin anew flights to the EU. The ICAO’s significant safety concerns were met, which allowed the lifting of the European ban on Philippines' local air carriers, and now, the US-FAA has upgraded Philippines' air carriers to Category 1.

‘Category 1’ rating means Philippine-based airlines are safer to travel on and meet or exceed international standards as well as standards set by the EU and US-FFA. According to a release from the FAA, the Republic of the Philippines received an upgraded safety rating because it complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Since the country has been given a “Category 1” rating, the Republic of the Philippines’ air carriers can add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers. The country held this designation until January 2008, when the FAA downgraded it. The new rating is based on a March 2014 FAA review of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

This means that competition will increase = lower ticket prices, more airline selection, more time slots from which to fly and more destinations by Philippines' Airlines.

What can we expect from PAL and CEBU Airlines? Your thoughts?

Edited April 11, 2014 by Greenbaum

[Al422 221]

Will it result in direct flghts to the US? We wil no longer have layovers in China or Japan or the Middle East?

[BuvRahl 3]

Sounds like great news to me!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Will it result in direct flghts to the US? We wil no longer have layovers in China or Japan or the Middle East?

Yes, you will no longer need to make stopovers in those country's. There is talk that more non-stop from Manila and Cebu to west coast and some flights as a non-stop to New York with new equipment (Boeing 777-300ER) that has been purchased by PAL is also being considered. It's and exciting time.

[novedsac 355]

I've enjoyed Cebu Pacific for the domestic flights I've taken. Flew PAL Dubai to Manila once and it was horrible. Uncomfortable, deplorable service, sh!t attitude. I'll stick with world-class carries offering premium service for any flight over 8hrs.

[Al422 221]

I've enjoyed Cebu Pacific for the domestic flights I've taken. Flew PAL Dubai to Manila once and it was horrible. Uncomfortable, deplorable service, sh!t attitude. I'll stick with world-class carries offering premium service for any flight over 8hrs.

I flew on AIr Cebu. Very nice and very impressive. I never flew PAL but from what I heard it is deplorable.

[novedsac 355]

Yup. Come to think of it, Cebu Pacific was a lot of fun - energetic attendants with games, etc. - great for a short flight, but perhaps annoying after several hours. Planes are new, bright, clean. Web site offers perhaps the easiest and most intuitive online booking experience I've seen.

[Sirliner 26]

I would think PAL would certainly add more direct flights. Which in theory should spur Cebu Pacific to add direct flights to be competitive. I have flown neither, but have also heard PAL is not good. I have been on Air Asia/Zest Air for domestic flights and for the cheap price was reasonably good. The trade-off being everything, and I mean everything, costs extra on the flight.

Layovers will not go away, IMO. Whether Korea, Japan, China or Taiwan layovers are here to stay. Just the way those countries airlines operate their flights. Having said that, I flew EVA Air to/from Manila with a stop in Taipei and would highly recommend them, despite the 3 hour layover.

[teddy k 35]

You can have PAL they are the worst airlines ive traveled on in the past 40+yrs i would not fly them for free they suck

[VOL 425]

A few years ago I used to fly domestic from Dallas to San Fran or Los Angeles and catch PAL to Manila, I think we usually stopped in Guam or Vancouver to refuel.

I have flown Delta many times from Dallas to Manila but always stopped in Atlanta or St. Paul and always in Japan

So I don't see much change in my opinion. My nephew just left for Philippines couple of days ago from Dallas he flew Japan Airline from Dallas to Japan to Manila. That is about the most direct route I can find from Dallas.

I think ticket price is very cheap from Dallas to Manila it runs anywhere from $950 to $1,500, I flew Delta in January and paid $1,125, not a bad deal

You can have PAL they are the worst airlines ive traveled on in the past 40+yrs i would not fly them for free they suck

Try American Airlines they suck also

And they have old fat white woman who are rude and lazy being the flight attendants, and Delta isn't much better on the Flight Attendants....

[Greenbaum 12,259]

VOL, on 12 Apr 2014 - 08:40 AM, said:

A few years ago I used to fly domestic from Dallas to San Fran or Los Angeles and catch PAL to Manila, I think we usually stopped in Guam or Vancouver to refuel.

I have flown Delta many times from Dallas to Manila but always stopped in Atlanta or St. Paul and always in Japan

So I don't see much change in my opinion. My nephew just left for Philippines couple of days ago from Dallas he flew Japan Airline from Dallas to Japan to Manila. That is about the most direct route I can find from Dallas.

I think ticket price is very cheap from Dallas to Manila it runs anywhere from $950 to $1,500, I flew Delta in January and paid $1,125, not a bad deal

Try American Airlines they suck also

And they have old fat white woman who are rude and lazy being the flight attendants, and Delta isn't much better on the Flight Attendants....

This news is a welcome sight from what we have experienced. Think of non-stop flights from MNL or Cebu (you will no longer need to fly to MNL to get a decent international flight and major airport renovations are beginning at Cebu to accommodate the added traffic) to mainland USA, beginning with San Francisco and LA. Then being able to fly non-stop to Chicago, New York and Toronto. This is BIG NEWS.

Sirliner, on 11 Apr 2014 - 9:40 PM, said:

I would think PAL would certainly add more direct flights. Which in theory should spur Cebu Pacific to add direct flights to be competitive. I have flown neither, but have also heard PAL is not good. I have been on Air Asia/Zest Air for domestic flights and for the cheap price was reasonably good. The trade-off being everything, and I mean everything, costs extra on the flight.

Layovers will not go away, IMO. Whether Korea, Japan, China or Taiwan layovers are here to stay. Just the way those countries airlines operate their flights. Having said that, I flew EVA Air to/from Manila with a stop in Taipei and would highly recommend them, despite the 3 hour layover.

The point is, layovers are going away. Of course you will have choices with layovers but see my comment above. Non stop to NEW YORK!!! Wow that's Big.

[Psoas10 17]

I wonder if there is tunay demand for more travel to the US. Hawaiian cancelled their direct flight to Manila. Also it is mostly Balikabayans going to vacation in PI then coming back to the US. I wonder if United or any other US based airline would have direct flights to Manila from the Mainland. But that would be nice if there was other airlines flying direct to Manila from the US. Coz I agreee, PAL is can be bad.

[Jon and Krissy 452]

It's funny, I always hear people complaining about PAL, I flew them many times from 2004 - 2009 from the US to the Phils and back, always had super nice, laid back stewardesses and great service. When my wife and son came to the US, they upgraded them to 1st class for free.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Jon and Sol