What is Your Favorite Airlines To Fly To Philippines?

[calibob 73]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience on Cathay.

I have flown Asiana Airlines, EVA Air, China Airlines, Cathay, Singapore Airlines, United & a host of other airlines. For MY (and not someone else) personal experience the top two in my book are Cathay & Singapore airlines - they blow all the others out of the water. For me, I want the total package - service, food, entertainment, facilities, etc,. and I will pay extra to get it.

I have never flown on PAL (as I am on the east coast) and cannot comment on them. I have flown Cebu Pacific & I do like their service.

Once again my post is based on MY personal experiences.

Question - how was the "service mediocre at best"? You should share your experience with the readers.

I was in the back, in the cattle car section and between the roar of the engines and the inability of the crew to understand my English, I had a hard time making the trip. I was nursing a broken eardrum and in between a lady with a crying baby and one who was a neat freak. Myself being a tall / large man (6'3"/300lbs) , this made for a very memorable ride. They couldn't / wouldn't move anyone to the empty seats and the last meal was fish or pork.....I'll choose the pork next time. I went to the cabin in the mid section to get water to take my meds....they looked at me like I had three heads when I asked for water. I'm just guessing they didn't comprehend my English. The plane is newer but I'd trade the hospitality of PAL (2010at least) for the newer planes. They'd at least leave pitchers of water at strategic places around the plane so we could stay hydrated. Those were MY experiences. You only usually get one chance to make a first impression.

[thekfc 26]

I was in the back, in the cattle car section and between the roar of the engines and the inability of the crew to understand my English, I had a hard time making the trip. I was nursing a broken eardrum and in between a lady with a crying baby and one who was a neat freak. Myself being a tall / large man (6'3"/300lbs) , this made for a very memorable ride. They couldn't / wouldn't move anyone to the empty seats and the last meal was fish or pork.....I'll choose the pork next time. I went to the cabin in the mid section to get water to take my meds....they looked at me like I had three heads when I asked for water. I'm just guessing they didn't comprehend my English. The plane is newer but I'd trade the hospitality of PAL (2010at least) for the newer planes. They'd at least leave pitchers of water at strategic places around the plane so we could stay hydrated. Those were MY experiences. You only usually get one chance to make a first impression.

I assume that you are on the west coast.

Cathay only flies out of San Francisco & LA and CX usually use a "US" based crew for both of these cities unless they use a replacement/"turnaround" crew.

One of the main reason that someone couldn't be moved to an empty seat is because passengers (especially the premier flyers on Cathay) have requested the seat next to them blocked - so no one can seat next to them. That happens a lot throughout the airline industry & not just on Cathay - I have done it myself before.

Did you request to be moved? Not moving the other passenger but you? Myself nor of my family members/friends never been denied a requested seat move especially if we were seating next to an "unruly" passenger.

You said that you had food poisoning - did you file a complain then?

If I was 6'3" & 300lbs, there is no way that I would take a middle seat -I would go for the extra legroom or seat next to the galley where there are extra room.

I find it strange that there was a lady with a baby seating in that section. There are "assigned" baby bassinet seat for passengers with babies and they are in the front of every section - maybe all 12 or so seats were already taken. Also CX will move passengers out of the baby bassinet seats if a passenger with a baby boards - that have happened to me before, a couple with a baby boards & I was moved out of my seat & as a result I was upgraded to business class.

I usually do not ask for water or snacks when flying on Cathay, I just walk up to the galley and they are right there.

You had a bad experience flying & I think that it had a lot/more to do with the passengers next to you and your broken eardrum than the service that you received.

This is directed to the people reader this post & not the person that I quoted, whenever you fly (regardless of what airline it is) be aware of your right & what you can/cannot request. Be courteous. If you are hungry, you can walk to the galley and get/request some snack/drinks - I have done it many times on CX (walk to the galley & get some soup or snacks). Be smart and fly safe & comfortable.

[calibob 73]

I assume that you are on the west coast.

Cathay only flies out of San Francisco & LA and CX usually use a "US" based crew for both of these cities unless they use a replacement/"turnaround" crew.

One of the main reason that someone couldn't be moved to an empty seat is because passengers (especially the premier flyers on Cathay) have requested the seat next to them blocked - so no one can seat next to them. That happens a lot throughout the airline industry & not just on Cathay - I have done it myself before.

Did you request to be moved? Not moving the other passenger but you? Myself nor of my family members/friends never been denied a requested seat move especially if we were seating next to an "unruly" passenger.

You said that you had food poisoning - did you file a complain then?

If I was 6'3" & 300lbs, there is no way that I would take a middle seat -I would go for the extra legroom or seat next to the galley where there are extra room.

I find it strange that there was a lady with a baby seating in that section. There are "assigned" baby bassinet seat for passengers with babies and they are in the front of every section - maybe all 12 or so seats were already taken. Also CX will move passengers out of the baby bassinet seats if a passenger with a baby boards - that have happened to me before, a couple with a baby boards & I was moved out of my seat & as a result I was upgraded to business class.

I usually do not ask for water or snacks when flying on Cathay, I just walk up to the galley and they are right there.

You had a bad experience flying & I think that it had a lot/more to do with the passengers next to you and your broken eardrum than the service that you received.

This is directed to the people reader this post & not the person that I quoted, whenever you fly (regardless of what airline it is) be aware of your right & what you can/cannot request. Be courteous. If you are hungry, you can walk to the galley and get/request some snack/drinks - I have done it many times on CX (walk to the galley & get some soup or snacks). Be smart and fly safe & comfortable.

I had a middle seat behind the last galley......a bassinet on my left and a full plane. I had the leg room but I didn't have the luxury of picking a premium seat due to late booking. I got the food poisoning from the last meal served, about an hour out of SFO so I didn't get right till after I landed.....you get my point. Every exit off the interstate I took it. I've flown before so I know a bad experience from a good one. Please don't second guess my experience or advice. This is my personal experience, not a commercial for or against any airline. Your experience may and probably will be different than that I experienced as it couldn't be any worse than this.

I actually went to the galley, opened the curtains and that's when they looked at me funny, couldn't understood a word I said and when someone came over that did, they acted like it was a chore. This isn't what I'd call good customer service. Another time I went to the galley, the ice water was empty, so I waited a bit for an attendant. Finally after a few minutes one came and I asked for water. She took another 4-5 minutes to return and in the mean time another gentleman had come up for water. She went around me to serve him first. Great service. And no I don't complain to them or act rude , I just choose to take my business elsewhere quietly and gladly will tell anyone who asks my horrible adventure on that airline.

Thanks for asking......

Bob

[thekfc 26]

I had a middle seat behind the last galley......a bassinet on my left and a full plane. I had the leg room but I didn't have the luxury of picking a premium seat due to late booking. I got the food poisoning from the last meal served, about an hour out of SFO so I didn't get right till after I landed.....you get my point. Every exit off the interstate I took it. I've flown before so I know a bad experience from a good one. Please don't second guess my experience or advice. This is my personal experience, not a commercial for or against any airline. Your experience may and probably will be different than that I experienced as it couldn't be any worse than this.

I actually went to the galley, opened the curtains and that's when they looked at me funny, couldn't understood a word I said and when someone came over that did, they acted like it was a chore. This isn't what I'd call good customer service. Another time I went to the galley, the ice water was empty, so I waited a bit for an attendant. Finally after a few minutes one came and I asked for water. She took another 4-5 minutes to return and in the mean time another gentleman had come up for water. She went around me to serve him first. Great service. And no I don't complain to them or act rude , I just choose to take my business elsewhere quietly and gladly will tell anyone who asks my horrible adventure on that airline.

Thanks for asking......

Bob

I am not second guessing your experience or your advice - I wasn't there.

You choose to quote the post that I made on Cathay (and in the manner you did) so I was responding to your post plus I was trying to find out why/how your service was mediocre. You could have made your post without quoting mine.

I am a frequent flyer & I have had superb, excellent, good, mediocre & bad service across the board. I have seen DYKWIA and all kind of "#######" on both sides.

At the end of the day everyone have their preferences as to what airlines they prefer and that are sometimes based on their personal experience. I have had bad service on the first leg of a flight & magnificent service on the return leg, so I do not make an opinion/judgement based on one flight or on first impression - I make it based on multiple flights/experiences.

Anyone can have a bad moment at anytime. Example, on one of my recent trips, there was a guy across from me who was making passes at one of the FAs, on one of her passing to service a passenger he pull on the tip of her skirt. I got up and said something to the guy in his ear and from then he never said anything to the FAs. Imagine if you was the next guy to ask that FA for something who would she react? On my way out I got a note from the FA that said "Thank You".

You said the ice waster was empty; their service from San Francisco must be different because every time I get water - it was always a bottle water, the only liquids poured to me were juice, tea, or alcohol beverages. I fly out of NYC in case you are wondering.

I am a bit confuse about something - first you said that they couldn't/wouldn't move anyone to an empty seat and now you say it was a full plane.

[calibob 73]

There were a few empty seats by the exits.....but they wouldn't move anyone there, the baby, me, or the other lady. The rest of the back section was full. What fool would switch seats with me?? A screaming child, to her credit only 5 minutes per hour, and a lady who chastises you for having your elbow on the rest? I'm glad for you coming out of NY, must be a pleasure. As for me......SFO is the nearest. Sorry, but they don't serve bottled water to the back of the plane, just pour it into pitchers and or out of 1 liter bottles. Ought to try the back section of the plane for my perspective. I've not ridden much in the front but it is a different world. I can't speak for CP's business or 1st class but the back class trip I had wasn't worth the money I paid service wise.

Bob

[AKteacher 104]

Since many airlines now charge extra fees for "premium" seats in coach, many of these seats remain empty. I flew PAL from MNL-Davao, the plane was nearly full. A couple of people asked but they refused to let anyone sit in the empty "premium" seats.

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I've flown on China Air twice and was very happy on both trips. The first was to Vietnam and then to the Phils most recently. The food is great, free drinks, decent leg room, no baggage fees, good entertainment selection, nothing I'd complain about at all. They transfer planes in Taipei from either LAX or SFO en-route to Manila. It's a nice airport and easy to get around in. Only unnerving thing is the welcome sign and the end of the jet-way - "Drug trafficking in the ROC is punishable by Death". On my return from the Phils I completely blew off my departure date missing and not rescheduling my flights. All of the US carriers charged me huge fees (It was cheaper to buy new tickets) but China Air didn't charge me a dime and let me reschedule whenever I chose.

[NoneYa 73]

I have had no problems with Delta. Cathay was too limited for the amount of flights and if I tried to fly direct to Cebu on Cathay, it was $ 1,000 more. I just booked Delta to Manilaa for mid January.. because I had so many flight options. For this reason, I can choose to board my second plane in Seattle and avoid the snow season of Detroit, New York and Washington areas. Selecting Seatle also splits the flight up. Coming from the East Coast the flight can be 14 hours for one flight ! This way, my longest flight is 10 hours from Seattle to Tokyo. The price was $ 1,410 from Orlando to Manila which was lower than the other carriers too. I will take Cebu Pacific to Bohol and I will soon be with my honey in one of the best areas to visit in the Philippines.

[newhallone 2]

I am parking my ride at my cousins in Chicago. We have to take a train, then walk a couple blocks and then another train to get to her place. I guess I will have to drag winter coats to PH and back. I wish they still had lockers at the airport. My cousin has to work so she will not be able to pick us up at ord. Hopefully she can think of an plan. I would hate to have my sweetie freeze solid on her arrival. We will be flying ANA and will give my report upon our return.

[pepper 34]

I flew PAL twice. Loved the food and the service. Their business class was great....lots of freebies:)). Cant complain about Delta and JAL too. JAL's service was topnotch!! Next month I'll fly Asiana coz its a lot cheaper.

Edited November 16, 2011 by pepper

[thekfc 26]

They transfer planes in Taipei from either LAX or SFO en-route to Manila. It's a nice airport and easy to get around in.

Yep, most of the Asian airports are passenger friendly & easy to transfer through with Taoyuan, HKIA & Narita being the easiest.

I can choose to board my second plane in Seattle and avoid the snow season of Detroit, New York and Washington areas.)

Good call.

You do not want to get caught in a snow storm in any of these cities especially if you do not live there.

[andrea4prez 1]

I 2nd that! PAL is Great!

Been flying with PAL since 1996 (LAX-MNL, MNL-LAX).. although some of their planes are not that new anymore compared to others, what I like is the non-stop flights, with occasional hour stop overs at Hawaii or Guam...The staff are polite too..Also, what I like about flying PAL is you arrive there early in the morning so you still have more time to spend with your hehe.... their flights to MNL are at 9pm and your arrive manila around 7am...which is good for me coz i usually leave on Thursdays, give me time to work that day still and arrive morning of Saturday which give me time to rest and go out Saturday night right away hehehe.... their flight to LAX is usually around 9PM too and arrive here around same time 9PM too.

Most of all, I like that they have their own terminal NAIA, when you arrive and leave Manila, only PAL passengers use that 1 terminal...it's not that crowded and you are in and out of the airports, fast...

i tried Cathay before but only to HongKong and although I liked the plane and service, i hated that the terminal was so busy, crowded, hot and kinda dirty too... going to immigration to and from was a nightmare.

Edited November 17, 2011 by andrea4prez

[southcalhog 43]

Been flying with PAL since 1996 (LAX-MNL, MNL-LAX).. although some of their planes are not that new anymore compared to others, what I like is the non-stop flights, with occasional hour stop overs at Hawaii or Guam...The staff are polite too..Also, what I like about flying PAL is you arrive there early in the morning so you still have more time to spend with your hehe.... their flights to MNL are at 9pm and your arrive manila around 7am...which is good for me coz i usually leave on Thursdays, give me time to work that day still and arrive morning of Saturday which give me time to rest and go out Saturday night right away hehehe.... their flight to LAX is usually around 9PM too and arrive here around same time 9PM too.

Most of all, I like that they have their own terminal NAIA, when you arrive and leave Manila, only PAL passengers use that 1 terminal...it's not that crowded and you are in and out of the airports, fast...

i tried Cathay before but only to HongKong and although I liked the plane and service, i hated that the terminal was so busy, crowded, hot and kinda dirty too... going to immigration to and from was a nightmare.

Yea I completely Agree with you! Depending on what season it is You can get Flights from LAX Twice a Night! usually at 700PM and 1000PM leaving for Manila. And Like you said they stop for an hour in Honolulu or Guam for refueling and of course the Non-Stop Flights. belive me its a lonnnnnggg Ride but its worth it and like you said, Flight Staff is very Considerate and treat you very good even in Coach. 16 Hours and you there. by the planes leaving at night you ready to sleep anyway and thats a large Portion of the Flight right there.They have everything to entertain you that you can imagine. they also have "GPS" navigation

that have graphics that show you a little Plane and the Philippines and where you exactly at in regards to the PI and how far you left LAX, showing the USA. Its great! and like you mentioned they have their own terminal not with NAIA 1......... Love it!!

[andrea4prez 1]

Yea I completely Agree with you! Depending on what season it is You can get Flights from LAX Twice a Night! usually at 700PM and 1000PM leaving for Manila. And Like you said they stop for an hour in Honolulu or Guam for refueling and of course the Non-Stop Flights. belive me its a lonnnnnggg Ride but its worth it and like you said, Flight Staff is very Considerate and treat you very good even in Coach. 16 Hours and you there. by the planes leaving at night you ready to sleep anyway and thats a large Portion of the Flight right there.They have everything to entertain you that you can imagine. they also have "GPS" navigation

that have graphics that show you a little Plane and the Philippines and where you exactly at in regards to the PI and how far you left LAX, showing the USA. Its great! and like you mentioned they have their own terminal not with NAIA 1......... Love it!!

yup, around 14-15 hours i think and thats long but the planes ive been in since 2009 and last year, your own tv gives you lots of choices, like games and even MP3 music to listen to while sleeping and the movies are new too and since its PAL there's 1 filipino movie shown...so they try to keep you entertained and fed well too hehe

now that you mentioned the little plane graphics where they show where you are exactly that actually adds to my excitement like " just a thousand miles and im there hahaha "

yup, that's the biggest bonus for me flying PAL is their own terminal!!!

[southcalhog 43]

yup, around 14-15 hours i think and thats long but the planes ive been in since 2009 and last year, your own tv gives you lots of choices, like games and even MP3 music to listen to while sleeping and the movies are new too and since its PAL there's 1 filipino movie shown...so they try to keep you entertained and fed well too hehe

now that you mentioned the little plane graphics where they show where you are exactly that actually adds to my excitement like " just a thousand miles and im there hahaha "

yup, that's the biggest bonus for me flying PAL is their own terminal!!!