Oct 29, 2007 02:54 PM
7451 Views
Flights were part of a round trip from Manila to Phnom Penh, using Philippine Airlines(PR) on the MNL/SGN/MNL sector.
Aircraft, an A320, appeared to be quite new and was well-maintained and clean. Departures in both direction were on time - although return flight SGN/MNL was slightly delayed, but thoroughly explained.
Manila's Philippine Airlines terminal has an express lane for check-in for business and first class passengers and this was accomplished in a snap. Filipino authorities have not yet gotten to the understanding that collecting the so-called passenger service fee at a separate booth instead of at the time of ticketing is an unholy disservice. This is not the airlines fault, however. Likewise, multiple security checks at Philippines airports upon check in are a nuisance and very much overdone compared to other airports in the region. Again, this is not Philippine Airlines fault by any means.
Seating was comfortable on the new aircraft. But how it is that Philippine Airlines made the business class seats so attractive without putting a foot and leg rest is a wonder. It's just about the only airline to have missed that one. Nonetheless, the sector is short, about 2 1/2 hours. Likewise, using facial tissues in the rest rooms on board instead of hand tissues is still somewhat of a joke. Philippine Airlines needs to decide if it means business with business class! And the use of plastic knives on board is really passe.
Staff throughout, including non-Philippine Airlines staff in Ho Chi Minh City's spanking new terminal were courteous and helpful at all times.
The Philippine Airlines lounge at Manila, though small, is comfortable and efficient. The Viet Nam Airlines lounge in Ho Chi Minh City is beautiful and likewise comfortable.
Meals on board were good, tasteful, and the menu selection was broad and suited to varying tastes. That Philippine Airlines appears to have given up on printed menues in business class seems to be a bit of an excessive cost-cutting exercise.
The bottom line: the airline has come through a long struggle and is in the process of re-fleeting. It's new A320's are promising, but some better attention needs to be paid to details and leg rests sure would be appreciated - almost every other airline manages to have them.
