Hello from the USA! I just took a flight on Philippine Airlines’ newly launched Airbus A350-1000 business class from Manila (MNL) to San Francisco (SFO), which lasted 11 hours and 55 minutes. As I previously mentioned, my experience leading up to this point wasn’t the best, with the airline’s rough A330 business class and a frustrating ground experience in Manila (apologies for that, Darryl — I suppose it’s my fault that this encounter with the Delta of the Pacific fell short of a Skytrax 6-star experience!).
The A350-1000 is meant to mark a new era for Philippine Airlines, but how did the experience hold up? I’m going to share some preliminary thoughts, and I’ll provide a detailed review soon.
I’ll be presenting my observations in a slightly different format than usual, and I welcome your feedback. I feel that my initial thoughts have become somewhat lengthy lately, so I want to distinguish them from full reviews. Additionally, people’s attention spans online seem to be shrinking.
What I appreciated about Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class
Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class signifies a significant upgrade from the airline’s previous offerings. Here are some highlights from my experience:
– Cozy Collins Aerospace Super Diamond suites with doors, among the best hard products available (very similar to what you would find on the Etihad A350-1000)
– Excellent seat technology, including Bluetooth audio and ample charging options (wireless, USB-A, USB-C, AC)
– Superb bedding, featuring a thick mattress pad, a soft pillow, and a snug blanket
– A nice amenity kit with L’Occitane products, and included slippers (though no pajamas)
– The cost of the ticket, as Philippine Airlines offers competitive prices, which is an important factor
– Extremely efficient and courteous service, as the entire first meal service was completed within 75 minutes of takeoff (which is great, considering the flight departed after 11 PM)
– The food was attractively presented with elegant tableware, and in terms of quality, it was quite good, though not exceptional; understandably, the Filipino dishes were better than the Western options
What I found lacking in Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class
While I appreciated many aspects of Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class, there were also areas needing enhancement:
– Although the plane is equipped with Viasat Wi-Fi, it failed to work throughout the entire flight
– There are no individual air nozzles, but at least the cabin temperature was comfortable
– The crew was friendly, but their service felt rather superficial, lacking in proactive customer engagement like refills and passenger check-ins, which made it seem insincere (my previous flight’s crew was better)
– The airline claims on the menu that cappuccinos are available on the A350s, but the crew stated they aren’t offered; while this is a minor issue, it’s frustrating to encounter such inconsistencies
– Personally, I thought the wine selection was not very impressive
– This is a small point but indicates a quality control issue—the lavatory lights on the cabin bulkhead that show if a lavatory is occupied did not function correctly, as they always appeared green (unoccupied), even when in use
Would I consider flying Philippine Airlines business class again?
Philippine Airlines’ new A350-1000 business class is a major advancement over the carrier’s previous product. With their competitive pricing, I would definitely fly with them again if the price or schedule suited my needs (though transiting through Manila is less than ideal).
However, it’s still not quite a top-tier airline regarding the overall experience, especially when comparing to competitors in Asia. But considering the value proposition, that’s a fair assessment.
Also, neither good nor bad, but it’s worth noting — the song that plays in the cabin when Philippine Airlines planes land is… a choice.
Bottom line
Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000 business class represents a significant upgrade over the older business class, making this product competitive on a global scale. Is it the best business class in the world? Definitely not. However, given the airline’s pricing, it’s certainly an option to consider if you’re okay with the challenge of transiting through Manila.
I believe the airline could achieve some quick improvements by addressing the more obvious issues, such as ensuring functional Wi-Fi.
What are your thoughts on Philippine Airlines’ A350 business class?