Clark International Airport / Hong Kong International Airport Planespotting (Hong Kong Day 1)

I was not particularly excited about this trip (except for Macau - Day 2) since I visited HK many times but I never get bored travelling especially food escapades at  local restaurants.

 I got the free ticket (via clark) from my trip to beijing last spring. The ticket excluded the surcharge, PH travel tax, and terminal fee which I didn't mind since it's free naman and the taxes are cheap.

Ongoing expansion of Clark (Qatar and Emirates will commence daily service to the middle east starting October)

2 foreigners lying on the grass.

Spirit of Manila (defunct airline company)

Food stalls

w/ the gang

Happy Face 

Royal Caribbean

Upper Terminal (spacious and nice compared to NAIA T1)

Happy tummy! (Hen Lin's special Bola-Bola siopao - Mantao Bread with pork filling, salted egg)

Exciting news for legacy flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL)

Ever since San Miguel Corporation (SMC - one of the biggest conglomerate in the Philippines) bought 49% of  PAL, PAL is glowing tremendously! Losses are getting smaller and Profits are higher this year compared last year. My previous post: Reviving PAL reveals the biggest aviation deal done in Philippine History and that is made by PAL. Mr. Ramon Ang (president of SMC) is familiar with industry since he is a licensed pilot and trough the track record of San Miguel under his leadership, PAL is in good hands.

So what's new with PAL?

1) Re-Fleeting for Long-Haul Airplanes.
2) New destinations
3) Return to Europe
4) New Interiors

1) Re-Fleeting

PAL is currently on a major re-fleeting program in with their short-haul and medium-haul routes. PAL has an existing fleet of 45 aircraft composed of 19 Airbus A320s, 8 A330s, 4 A319s, 4 A340s, 5 Boeing B777-300ERs, and 5 Boeing 747s. PAL's order with airbus are: 34 A321ceos, 10 A321neos, and 10 A330s. It also has another $2.5 billion option to acquire 10 more A330 aircraft.- Rappler.com

When Cebu Pacific fully embraces being an LCC, they became the leading domestic carrier in the Philippines. Actually, If it weren't for CP airfares will not go down and maybe, Pinoys are still traveling by boat.


So it's Boeing for the wide bodies =)

PAL plans to initially acquire 10 Boeing 777X aircraft, the airline's president and CEO Ramon S. Ang told reporters on the sidelines of the 5th year anniversary celebration of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

“It depends on the price. We are looking at the new Boeing 777X. We will buy 10 and if it performs well, we’ll exercise an option for 10 more,” he said.

“We want those planes for our long-range flights,” he added. PAL captures the most international traffic among local competitors.

PAL is undergoing a major refleeting program that involves acquiring 100 new aircraft to cut fuel costs, which account for bulk of the airline's operating costs. The new aircraft feature feature more fuel efficient engine, bigger wings, and lighter cabins. - Rappler.com

I'm excited about all the news! PAL would be another pride for the Filipinos. However, the government should act fast in fixing our airports and the congestion at NAIA. Also, regaining the category 1 status imposes by the FAA and lifting the Ban of the Philippine Carriers to fly to Europe imposes by European Union. The good news is that ICAO have lifted the SSCs this year and more or less FAA and EU will follow.


2) New Destinations

In a kick-off ceremony on Friday, April 26, PAL announced 12 new destinations in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, China, Australia and the Middle East in its growing route network.

This is double the 6 routes it previously announced in March.

The following new routes will be operated from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila using Boeing 777 aircraft:

Basco, Batanes in northern tip of the Philippines, starting May 1 (operated by PAL Express)
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, starting May 2
Darwin, Brisbane and Perth (Australia), June 1
Guangzhou (China), June 2
Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, starting Oct. 1; and Dubai, by Nov. 1
Doha in Qatar, starting Nov. 1
Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, starring Dec. 1

PAL president Ramon Ang said the new routes are meant to address the needs of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as well as that of the tourism market, which the Philippines is banking on as a new leg for economic growth.

PAL also will start introducing on board wifi services to the some of these new flights June onwards. By August, all their A330's will have wifi.

Also, PAL also launch new route to Sao Paulo, Brazil starting next year via Los Angeles (w/ 5th freedom rights).

- Rappler.com

3) Return to Europe

PAL plans to have direct access to key cities in Europe such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Madrid, and London as soon as the lifting of ban from the EU commission is set.

4) New Interiors

I have seen the new interiors for the Business class of PAL and It's so amazing! It's like first class! I will not post the picture here because I'm afraid of legal constraints =) Also, I don't want to spoil Mr. Ang's moment for PAL.

Photo courtesy of my good friend Mr. Kit Stephen Agad

Photo courtesy of Philippine Airlines.

Cathay Pacific Economy B773 MNL-HK / Dragonair Economy A330 HK-PEK

Our flight was suppose to depart around 11:00 am but due to heavy congestion, the return aircraft was a little late and our flight departed around 11:30 from the gate and take-off was around 12:00 pm. MNL-HK-MNL is a heavy route since many people go to Hong Kong for travel, and OFWs. CX have a total of 6 flights daily from this route. the economy class is about 98% full and business class i think is about 30% full.

no more english newspapers :(

shell type seat configuration. It didn't recline which made it uncomfortable but the seat was soft.

cup holder

Power outlet

Safety Card

PTV. I didn't like the safety video (it was soo boring) it didn't catch any attention and I don't like animated 3D like people. 

Qatar Airways A330

Asiana Airlines (Star Alliance Livery)

Philippine Air Force's Hercules

PAL A320

Headset

LCC Cebu Pacific's A320

PAL's A340 going to USA

PAL's B747 / Qantas A380

Lucky! there are episodes og 2 broke girls!

Since it's only a 2 hour flight, the inflight meal was sandwich.

CX's New Regional Business Class. Awesome!

Cathay Pacific's Premium Economy

I haven't post entries in my blog since I was away for China and been busy since i arrived. One thing that really admires me from Cathay Pacific is it's QUALITY. I have never had any bad experience with this excellent carrier from ground staff to flight attendants, everything is spotless. My family was booked for economy from MNL-HK (HK-PEK-HK via dragonair) and HK-MNL which by the way all flights (even all other airlines) going to Hong Kong are always full. CX is known to upgrade economy passengers to business class if economy is full (due to overbooking) this is not my first time to experience this upgrade with CX and that's why I've been loyal to them.

I was looking for my seat no back in economy and could not find it, then the very nice flight attendant directed me to my seat. It was confusing because when i sat down, the seat was wide, the legroom was spacious and the vibe is beyond economy. 

It was a total different experience! it was not crowded, not noisy, spacious, and soooooo luxurious

Ceiling.

Cocktail Tray ^_^

Make it happen! Cathay Pacific and it's awesome promo! Beijing!

I've only fly 2 airlines whenever I travel abroad, and that is either Philippine Airlines / Cathay Pacific. I've been impressed with PAL during my flight to Singapore, Bangkok, and Domestic flights. But to be honest, I'm much loyal to CX why? CX offers promotional fares that are relatively low that it can compete with promo fare that of PAL. 

My Dad booked our family going to Beijing on April 30-May 4 (Spring Time) for only $172 usd / P7,000 round trip all in airfare. Although we have to take a connecting flight to Hong Kong, still it's very cheap for a fare going to beijing. 

I'm so excited to see all those tourist destinations that i get only to see on television.

Forbidden City

Iloilo Quickie (Part 1)

During my previous blog, I vow not to fly with cebu pacific but alas! our paths have crossed again. Surprisingly it was not that bad. The kind cebu pacific ground personnel placed me on seat 1A, I was so glad that I will seat on the front with nice leg room w/o paying for it. How I wish that the flight was more than 50min. This was one of the most relaxing and super comfy flight I experienced so far (besides with Cathay Pacific and PAL).

Seat 1A

Soon to be gone (to be re-painted with PAL colors)

NAIA T3. Only Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express / Pal Express are the local LCCs that fly out of NAIA T3. How I wish PAL will transfer to T3. But T3 is waaaay better than old domestic airport and NAIA T2 (PAL's terminal) 

Flight Attendant's seat. I don't know about you guys but I find Cebu Pac's FAs pretty and very neat. Too bad i haven't taken a picture of them. 

Taxing 

Airphil Express. Re-painted as PAL livery.

Yes I know, using your gadget while waiting for take off is a no no! but NAIA is sooo congested and it's been 30 mins since our plane hasn't take off so better kill some time.

Inflight Magazine

Luftahansa Technik and some PAL planes

Cruisin'