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Airline: Philippine Airlines
Flight Number: PR422
Route: NRT-MNL
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Registration: RP-C3501
Delivered: June 2018
Flight Duration: 3 hours 55 minutes
Distance: 1,859 Miles
Overall Impression:
Mabuhay and welcome to another trip report! For this medium-haul journey from Manila to Tokyo, we flew business class with Philippine Airlines aboard their Airbus A350-900. While PAL may not always be the first airline that comes to mind for premium travel in Asia, their A350 product has quietly established itself as a solid and reliable option.
With a modern lie-flat seat, strong catering out of Manila, and the airline’s signature warm service, this flight offered a great opportunity to see how Philippine Airlines stacks up against its regional competitors.
What I liked:
The Food – Catering out of Manila was easily one of the highlights of this flight. Shortly after takeoff, I started with a glass of water, served alongside warm cashews.
I opted for the Western meal, which began with a fresh fruit and yogurt starter that felt light and well-balanced, accompanied by warm bread. For the main, I chose the pork tocino with gourmet tuyo, which was hearty, flavorful, and nicely executed without being overly heavy.
My companion selected the Japanese Washoku set, which looked equally appealing. It featured a variety of seasonal zensai appetizers, along with braised tuna and burdock root. The main course—beef gyu maki with edamame rice, miso soup, and steamed rice—was well-presented and thoughtfully prepared. Dessert included strawberry mochi, which rounded out the meal nicely.
The seats – Although this wasn’t our first time flying these seats, it was still nice to revisit them. I was seated in 8A in the last row of business class, while my companion had 7A—one of the “true” window seats positioned directly next to the window for added privacy.
The seat itself feels modern and is well-finished in PAL’s signature colors. I even tested the fully flat bed on this relatively short flight and found it surprisingly comfortable—even as a side sleeper. If privacy is a priority, I’d recommend choosing odd-numbered window seats, as they’re positioned closer to the window.
The Warm PAL Service – Philippine Airlines continues to excel in delivering warm, genuine hospitality. The crew on this flight were friendly, attentive, and clearly eager to help. Pre-departure beverages were offered proactively, and the meal service was handled smoothly with regular drink refills. The crew remained visible throughout the flight, checking in without being intrusive—striking a great balance.
Free High-Speed Wi-Fi Internet – Wi-Fi was available and, importantly, complimentary for all passengers. Speeds were sufficient for social media and basic browsing, though not quite fast enough for streaming. Still, for a regional flight, having free connectivity is a big plus.
What I didn’t like:
The Mabuhay Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1 – This is Philippine Airlines’ flagship lounge in Manila. While the newer space offers more seating, a staffed bar, and shower suites—making it a clear upgrade over the old Terminal 2 lounge—the overall execution still feels a bit uneven.
During our visit, parts of the lounge already showed signs of wear and felt slightly underwhelming for a relatively new facility. While we didn’t have trouble finding seats, it can get quite crowded during peak periods, with passengers occasionally searching for available spots.
A self-serve buffet with a decent selection of food and beverages was available, with the standout being PAL’s signature piping hot arroz caldo—simple, comforting, and easily the highlight of the lounge dining. Overall, it’s a step in the right direction, but still leaves room for refinement to better compete with other international lounges.
It was OK:
The Amenities – Business class amenities were simple but appropriate for a short flight. At the seat, we were provided with bottled water, slippers, a full-size pillow, and a blanket. The cabin temperature was kept comfortably cool, which made it easier to relax. The lavatory, while compact, was consistently clean and stocked with basic toiletries. Nothing particularly luxurious, but perfectly adequate for the duration of the flight.
Bottom Line:
This flight with Philippine Airlines delivers a comfortable and enjoyable business class experience, especially for a medium-haul route. The A350 seat is spacious and practical, the catering is a clear highlight, and the warm Filipino hospitality adds a personal touch that elevates the journey.
While areas like the ground experience in Manila and the relatively basic amenities leave some room for improvement, the overall product is solid and dependable. It may not be the most cutting-edge offering in the region, but it delivers where it counts—making it a very pleasant way to fly.
TravelingFoody.com 