Philippine Airlines New A330 Makes Debut Flight
On May 16,
Philippine Airlines’
first bi-class A330 High Gross Weight aircraft,
RP-C8760, made its maiden commercial flight to Hong Kong, just barely a month
after it was delivered. PR306 departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3:39 pm and arrived in Hong Kong International Airport at 5:30 pm. The return flight, PR307, landed
in Manila at 8:33 pm.
Copyright Photo: Lloyd Lostboy/PPSG |
Philippine Airlines continued to deploy RP-C8760 to Hong Kong the following day during its morning
PR300 and PR301 flights. On May 17, PR300 departed Manila at 8:23 am and landed in Hong Kong at 10:11 am. The aircraft is currently only being scheduled for one round-trip flight
per day.
The High Gross Weight Airbus A330 features PAL’s new Business Class product with 18 V-shaped
flat-bed seats produced by Sogerma, 27 Premium Economy seats and 323 Regular
Economy seats. In lieu of
traditional seat-back in-flight entertainment (IFE), the flag-carrier opted to provide passengers with their own devices
access to its IFE collection through wireless (WiFi) streaming technology called OnAir Play.
Passengers using iOS (i.e. iPhone, iPad) or Android devices need to
download a special app before boarding their flight to access the aircraft’s
IFE database. For passengers that do not bring their own personal device, PAL has iPads available for rent on board. These are complimentary to Business Class passengers but for all other passengers, additional fees apply.
The night prior to RP-C8760’s maiden Hong Kong flight, PAL invited some guests to showcase the aircraft's modern amenities. PAL officials at the event suggested that with the new on-board amenities, the airline was trying to create a comfortable experience for passengers
that is reminiscent of what can be found in a modern hotel.
Philippine Airlines
originally ordered 20 of these A330 aircraft as part of a massive re-fleeting
exercise to expand its operations, replace older aircraft, and to give Asia’s
first airline one of the youngest fleets in the region. Twelve of these aircraft were to be configured in the bi-class configuration. However, Philippine Airlines cancelled five of them for reasons that are still unclear.
The new A330 aircraft will also be deployed to Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Bangkok, Seoul,
and possibly Honolulu. However, it is unclear when these other destinations will
start enjoying the new bi-class A330 aircraft on a regular basis. According to Airbus, this 242-tonne aircraft
can fly up to 6,100 nautical miles, which covers the distance between Manila and Dublin or Manila and San Francisco when using a great circle route.
-HybridAce101
Stay tuned to PFN
for updates on the deployment of PAL’s new A330s.
Ok great no IFE and now they want me to pay extra to rent a ipad that sucks, you penny pinchers should have installed a proper IFE in the first place. I bet passengers cant wait to try your 9 seats across in economy = TORTURE
ReplyDelete"However, it is unclear when these other destinations will start enjoying the new bi-class A330 aircraft on a regular basis."
ReplyDeleteThat's a very generous use of the word "enjoy"... :)
Akala ko ba 8 abreast (2-4-2) yung hindi all-economy na Airbus A330-300. Anung nangyari? Bakit pati sa may business class ay 9 abreast (3-3-3) din?
ReplyDeletebasahin mo nga ulit.
DeleteAng ano?
DeleteThe new Airbus A330 has IFE....but it's does not have in-seat TV screen. You will be allowed you use your own device...whether it's your personal smart phone (iPhone or Android devices) or iPad or Android tablets BUT You need to download the FREE PAL iN Air app from Google Play or Apple App Store. Then all you can now use your own device to view movies/TV shows/listen to music. Each seat has power supply (YES, even in Fiesta class) so, make sure that your cables are with you in your carry on luggage.
ReplyDeleteSit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.
Ay galit na ti(2x)-ng nakatindig! Pati rin yang bagong bi-class, 9 abreast din para sa economy class pati na rin sa premium economy class, sa halip na 8 para sa economy at 7 naman sa premuim economy? Akala ko ba sa all economy configuration lang 9 abeast ang economy, at sa bi-class ay tulad ng dati na 8 abreast? Matapos ang dalawang taon, naghintay lang ako sa wala.
ReplyDeleteThe global network of airports and flight routes is a testament to the interconnectedness that pilots facilitate. AV8 Prep private pilot license
ReplyDelete