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PAL Gets Ready for Europe

London by October 1 via Abu Dhabi



June 28, 2013

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is getting ready to fly back to Europe after getting positive feedbacks from Brussels this week.

The European Commission is expected to come out with the decision removing PAL from the blacklist by July.

PAL President and COO Ramon Ang said they have already secured four additional units of Airbus 340-300 in preparation for long haul flights to Europe.

“A PAL representative went with CAAP to the EU meetings in Brussels and we got good feedbacks from there.” said Ang.

PAL said they already applied for flights to London and recently established business office there. 

Codeshare flights with Etihad
The airline concluded agreement with Etihad Airlines for code share flights from London Heathrow to Manila beginning 1 October 2013 via Abu Dhabi. 

PAL will begin flight to Abu Dhabi also on the first day of October.

A mocked booking for London flights by Philippine Airlines on 1 December for two discloses flight departing London Heathrow on the following schedules.


Meanwhile, Airport operator Gatwick Airport Limited has confirmed slot application by Philippine Airlines to London Gatwick Airport in Sussex for direct flights to Manila. No further details were provided.


London Gatwick is the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom after London Heathtrow hosting regional and international passenger and cargo services for over 30 airlines such as Emirates, Air China, Korean Airlines, Vietnam Airlines and Garuda Indonesia which is expected to commence flight in November.

43 comments:

  1. Well That's good news to hear....

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  2. Philippine Airlines will use Heathrow if Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and/or Emirates should give slots. Note, these three airlines have more than 1 daily flights to Heathrow. Singapore Airlines has 4 daily flights to Heathrow. Emirates has 5 daily flights as well as Cathay Pacific.

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  3. Great news! happy to see that PAL is making efforts to becoming a serious player in the industry. The flight to LGW is a good start. More work to be done but this starts the ball rolling......

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  4. But what about Cebu Pacific? I thought they are also planning for European flights.

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    1. that would be a dreadful thought.. all 300pax travelling for 14hrs in a cramped flying bus with jack&jill chips as meals... also, add that cringing in-flight crew entertainment turning into billowing, screaming, frenzied flight attendants during emergency situations... na-ah!! i'd rather take BA, CX, SQ, KR, EK, Etihad anytime ;-0

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  5. It's better for PAL to push for LHR instead of LGW. Let PAL compete with the "big boys" of aviation and establish herself as one of the best in the world and not as one of the tailenders in the industry. This vision can only be achieved if PAL reinstates her dismissed "world class" regular employees and gets rid of those contract based scabs presently performing a very dismal work in PAL. Now that's the challenge to the new owners of PAL.

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  6. congrats to philippine airlines and also Philippines

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  7. The mockup does not show the PAL flight to London. The PAL flight is only from/upto Abu Dhabi. The London-Abu Dhabi leg is operated by EY

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  8. Brilliant news. Gatwick is not ideal but better than nothing as we have now. Yes, Heathrow would be excellent.

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  9. I think the AUH-LHR leg codeshare between PR and EY is just temporary and when the new Airbus A330s arrive, some of them or the leased A343s will be used for direct flights from MNL to LGW. But I also agree that PAL must push for LHR.

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  10. Or better yet, we might see Heathrow and Gatwick altogether. Kinda like the possibility. LHR via AUH and LGW direct to MNL.

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  11. Pardon me, what was the reason for PAL being in the blacklist?

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    Replies
    1. The country was blacklisted. The Republic of the Philippines, not Philippine Airlines. Any airline with the Philippine flag painted on its side is affected by the blacklisting of the Republic of the Philippines, specifically because of CAAP's non-passing of inspection by FAA.

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  12. sorry, but there is no application yet to gatwick from PAL and this flight to LGW is a codeshare flight with EY. please this blog is utter nonsense.

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    1. The flight to LHR is a code share flight with EY via AUH. Not LGW.

      If you have better facts, you can always write to us and we will credit you for that.

      Delete
    2. Regarding the screenshot of mock booking...

      1) It's not taken from PR website. It's not even appearing in the GDS
      2) It's an interline agreement for this itinerary, not codeshare.

      PR is supposed to discontinue codeshare with ETIHAD starting 01OCT13.

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    3. American Airlines has interline agreement with PR yet you cannot find a GDS sale or PAL sale from LAX to DFW. And yet they do exists.

      You cannot find this offer in the GDS and PAL website yet because right now PR cannot, legally speaking, sell this seats because of the EU ban. The restriction of flights extend to code-sharing deals. It will only be loaded when they got decision and permit from the EU by July. Of course the airline is not stupid enough to initiate this advance booking process if they don't secure exemptions. They must have permits in the interim. The fact that they were publishing this offer in the UK validates earlier grant to do so.

      Brad

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    4. Probably true. If not, why do they bother to publish it in a UK newspaper? They must be selling it.

      http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/8381/0wi4.jpg

      A chap in the UK has bought it.

      http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2326553

      Therefore, those tickets must exists.

      Is there a different analogy to that?

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    5. Unless I'm missing something that Brad has prove to this, the EU ban applies on blacklisted carriers can not operate their own aircraft into EU airspace, it doesn't say blacklisted carriers can not sell tickets in the EU member state (EU will only recommend its citizen not to travel on those carriers).

      Regarding interline agreement, I'm not exactly sure what Brad is trying to say. Under the interline agreement, one can book flights separately and issue on the same ticket, for instance book PR MNL LAX and AA LAX DFW separately, but issue on PR or AA ticket stock.

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    6. I probably interpret the author's word in the wrong way. So I have to correct myself a bit. The author is probably just showing the schedules of what would this "PR/EY" codeshare on AUH LHR sector.

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    7. Blacklisted airlines cannot code-share flights to the EU. If there is no code-share how much more interline? The logic of the ban is simple, they cannot sell tickets or fly planes period.

      http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/the-eu-blacklist-africa-over-represented-again-50369

      Perhaps people SHOULD read this to have a clearer mind.

      http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/2672-0.pdf

      Cheers,

      Brad

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    8. I would like the original poster to prove what he is posting is fact by providing a source or reference. The comment from Brad only highlight the holes in this story.

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    9. Brad, you're mixing up the ideology of codeshare and interline. Just like other medias out there.

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    10. I don't.

      Interline and code share has one bottom line. Airline agreement. Note that it should be distinguished from the habit of travel agents from tacking destinations which also has been known as Interline when in reality it's not. Interline agreement assumes the liability of the former carrier to the subsequent carriers as to carriage of passengers and cargo.

      The same restriction is well covered by the same EU regulation, I,e code share and interline

      That definition is best illustrated by Etihad policy. And since we are talking about Etihad, this explanation should probably lay the claim to rest.

      http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/trades/global/en/PoliciesandProcedure/Pages/AlliancesAndCodeshares.aspx

      Cheers,
      Brad

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  13. Expedia happens to agree to this post

    http://www.expedia.com/Flights-Search?trip=roundtrip&leg1=from:MNL,to:LHR,departure:05%2F02%2F2014TANYT&leg2=from:LHR,to:MNL,departure:05%2F24%2F2014TANYT&passengers=children:0,adults:1,seniors:0,infantinlap:Y&options=cabinclass:coach,nopenalty:N,sortby:price&mode=search&oladtl=GDE

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  14. Booking a flight on Expedia or any other OTA (Online Travel Agency) does not suggest any form of business relationship between the parties involved. Online travel agencies are notorious for bundling and packaging services together from its suppliers whether it is hotels, airlines, or car rental agencies. Expedia uses web crawlers to search the lowest fares and if that means booking two separate flights with two completely independent carriers, they will book it as one itinerary. There is no guarantee of code sharing or interlining agreements. Quite frankly, it is no different that going on the PAL website and booking from MNL to Abu Dhahbi and then going on the Etihad website and booking from Abu Dhabi to LHR.

    It would be really nice if the author could back up this story with some sort of references, sources, or facts as to where this information was obtained because there doesn't seem to be a news agency of any kind reporting this information.

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  15. how can pal compete with other airlines when they have a shit product. even on their 777 its shit, business class is in 2-3-2 seating and inflight entertainment sucks. not good seats, shitty airport in manila, wich foreigners wants to travel with this peace of shit, when they get same price with qatar airways and emirates or even etihad. they have much better product and food, even nice airports. i traveled with pal on all of their fleets out of cebu, they cant compete with anyone. even garuda is top 10 in the world, while pal is number 30 or something according to skytrax. look at their business class compare to other airlines, ugly uniforms and everything. people from other countries will try them once, first and last!

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    Replies
    1. Pal is no 90 in the skytrax rating. I agree. I flew with Pal in sin cgk sector. Their business class on their a340 is really so-so. Then you have stewardess who doesnt have enough meal serves on my table. I flew with them again to try change my impression on their smaller aircraft, a320. From.cgk to sin when i go to back singapore. Its all the same, but they have this recaro sit on it, to give them some credit.

      Regards

      Kevin

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    2. Well if you think that way then go find an airline that is overprice that still goes to the same route. Like at least give props to PAL for returning its flight back to Europe man. Many of you complain about PAL being on Blacklist. Now finally their being removed you still treat PAL as if it is still a trashy airline. PAL is improving every second, and I can see PAL being redeeming its top Asia's airline once again. But with your negative feedback it lowers down PAL value's. Give PAL a chance, they deserve a second chance to show you how much of a experience they have improved on. NAIA may be the worst airport, but way till into the future. Right now they are building a new Airport to be PAL's gateway to the Philippines. Just prepare yourself as PAL will become the top airline. Mark my Word.

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    3. Im from the aviation industry and believe me when i say this, PAL is working overtime behind the scenes to be back on top. So people who think they know shit just because they flew PAL a couple of time should just shut the fuck up, it was a mess under the old management but now its getting back the past glory. It might be up there with all the BIG BOYS quite yet but a little patience and faith to this airline wouldnt so bad , would it?

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  16. pal a340 or 777 compare to qatar 787 or emirates a380 out of heathrow, philippine airlines is waste of money! and people will know this after they try them.

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  17. Why such a big fuss about PR flying to london/europe? PR will fly to london/europe period! If you don't appreciate PR then don't fly with PR. If you like PR then fly w/them.

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  18. Anonymous July 2, 2013 at 7:35 AM is right. For those who think negative to PAL for flying Europe, just shut up especially to all July 1 comments. You're just ruining others' dream. What will you feel if you have also a dream such as dream house, dream car, etc. and destroyed your dream by the others.

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  19. I agree that pal is garbadge. I came to philippines yesterday with qatar from lhr. Dreamliner to doha and 777 to mnl.3x3x3 seating on 777. All nationals from different countries. Alot of food and good entertainment. Love the android based ife system and free wifi. What does pal have? Old airplanes? Not enough food. Their image is down.

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    1. will you please just shut up!

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    2. Well, There is a reason why PAL has old planes for your info. PAL has always wanted to renew their planes but with the US or the EU restrictions they arent able to expand, or change aircraft models. Also they are on low income at this moment, its hard to maintain its fleet. Yes, PAL is way behind on in-flight entertainment but they are trying their best to catch up and head back to competition right when their Category 1 is restore this year. Which most likely they will. Dont put doubt on PAL. Philippines economy has been booming lately and the government and the richest San Miguel Corp. which now own PAL could fund many for PAL to improve its inflight experience and routes.

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  20. My ticket cost 1060 dollar. 190 dollar cheaper than pal and nr 2 carrier in the world. Pal is nr 90? In 10 years and 800 million dollar upgrade to cabin and 5 billion dollar airport Then maybe top 10

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  21. Complaints and more complaints but PAL will address that once the income comes in. Flights to europe means shorter flying times that to me has huge benefits especially if its non stop which may happen in the future. Slots at Heathrow are rare and most airlines would be very reluctant to give up a slot, thus Gatwick is a start and once its deemed viable I'm sure PAL will bid for them.

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  22. People here loves pal because they havent tried anything else. I agree its garbadge. So much missing, eventhough shorter flights , but garbadge product.sia is very good and same price as pal! A real 5 star product.2 hours flight with a warm dinner and hagendaz icecream.

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    1. Show me a link that says SIA is cheaper than PAL and I will believe your statement. Probably would take that flight too. I've been transiting MNL-SIN almost every other month for the past two years now and I've not found a SIA ticket you claim cheap.

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    2. I agree that there were times that SQ tickets were cheaper than PR. But not all the time. Those are promotional tickets, which all airlines com up with from time to time.

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  23. Ramon Ang, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL, announced plans to expand its international route network in Europe today beginning with daily flights to London on 1 October, followed by Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome and Madrid.

    The airline said it will also get a few more A340-300's on top of the earlier four from Iberia to service European destinations.

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  24. It's already 01/02OCT13. Where is this "codeshare" between PR and EY on AUH LHR sector?

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