Philippine Airlines Flight Review: Manila to Osaka (Round-Trip)

For the first time in a long time, everything went smoothly and hassle-free---from the ride to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 to check-in to immigration and security clearance.

But this is NAIA.

At the departure lounge, I looked at the clock to see how long my waiting time would be and this is what I saw.

I guess somewhere in the world it’s 9:42.

Before proceeding to my boarding gate, I decided to go to the ladies’ room.

That is the line ahead of me.

This is the line behind me.

There was only one functioning comfort room for all international passengers not part of the Mabuhay lounge. Only two cubicles were being allowed for use as the third one was reserved for senior citizens although the staffer allowed a couple of middle-aged women to cut the line and use it.

At first, my fellow passengers and I looked fresh and then came the dreaded announcement that our flight was going to be delayed because the aircraft needed some “general maintenance.” Fair enough. I want to ride a safe plane but I noticed that they did not announce our new boarding time.

An hour later, still no announcement except that our gate had been changed.

Two hours later, still no announcement and no plane at our gate. Whatever that Japanese sign said, I guess it wasn’t enough as a couple of Japanese passengers started arguing with the ground crew.

Three hours later, it was a Pinay this time who got irate. I couldn’t make out what she was saying but we were all watching her scream at the ground crew then smile back at her kid then scream again at the crew.

In the meantime, one airline representative went around giving us our new seat assignments but I noticed she did not approach everyone.

One passenger asked her whether we would be served any food but was told that we had not waited long enough. “Not even for a cup of water?” I asked in my mind. I’m glad I was prescient enough to bring two siopaos and a bottle of water. (Incidentally, the price of a regular siopao at the airport was almost the same price of my two siopaos I bought outside.)

Let’s see, I arrived at the airport at around 11 a.m. for my 2 p.m. flight and it was already a quarter to five. If we had departed on time, we would have been ready for descent by now. I called up my travel agent who thought I was already in Japan and was momentarily alarmed thinking I was lost and could not locate my tour group.

“I’m still here.”

“Where?”

“In Manila.”

“WHAT?! Why?!”

“I don’t know. They’re not saying anything.” My agent put me on hold then a few seconds later, she got back to me saying that PAL was having a hard time looking for an aircraft replacement. Why didn’t they just say so instead of leaving us wondering why everybody else was departing and arriving and we’re just there waiting and hungry.

Then, to everyone’s relief, the call for boarding came.

There were still some glitches as some seats were assigned to more than one person. And in another case, a minor was separated from her family so the flight attendant allowed her to sit with her family without consulting the person assigned to that seat---me. Of course, I immediately relented upon learning of their situation. I then went to the minor’s original seat which was assigned to two passengers. It was a good thing that the window seat beside mine was unoccupied to accommodate the second person.

Blankets for everyone and toys for kids were distributed before take-off which occurred almost the minute that we were supposed to be touching down at Kansai International Airport (KIX).

To have something positive to say about our flight, the take-off was very smooth. Kudos to the pilot who apologized for the delay but without explaining why.

After the take-off, I reclined my chair and felt somebody tapping my elbow. I turned around to see a young Japanese guy looking back at me, pointing at my reclined chair. I just smiled sweetly and innocently back at him. He then gave up and left me alone. Buddy, if you want bigger leg room, you can pay for a premium seat or upgrade to business class. Or better yet, book at a more expensive airline!

We had in-flight entertainment which showed Russell Crowe’s “Noah.” I did not bother with it as I was too tired. I was just waiting for our meal so I could doze off.

I had the curry if only because by the time the cart came rolling my way, the chicken inasal was out of stock. The beef was so bland that even a famished stomach still did not enjoy it.

Hmmm…given that the months are indicated on the menu, it means that this is their regular meal offering. If there is a next time, I’m bringing more than two siopaos!

I’ve been flying PAL for years now and this is the only time I saw chopsticks being offered which made me wonder, "Why do flights to Japan have a Japanese crew member, Nihongo translations of their announcements and menu, and chopsticks?" In my trips to Hong Kong and China, I don’t see any Mandarin or Cantonese-speaking staff or translations. Attendants would only repeat the English words slowly to ears that know no other language than Chinese. I remember one time on a flight from Beijing to Manila, one attendant left it up to me to do her job of explaining to some Chinese passengers when I could only speak kindergarten and tourist-survival Mandarin. That was one of the most hilarious and embarrassing experiences I have had, mangling the Chinese language the way I did. So again, why the special arrangement for the Japanese but not for Chinese passengers when they are the most active tourists in the world?

Anyway, we finally landed at KIX.

We took a short train ride to immigation where we were fingerprinted and photographed digitally. Passengers who have been to Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone were asked to go in a different direction for their own special clearance.

KIX at close to midnight. Can you hear the crickets?

Sayonara, Osaka!

Now it was time to return to Manila.

Everything went smoothly.

After the immigration and security clearance, you were greeted by a flight board announcement.

And if you’re still unsure, the information booth is right next to it.

Then it’s off to our gate.

With some temptations beckoning.

Their free WiFi really works (fast, too) unlike NAIA’s.

It’s always nice to see your plane when you arrive at the gate.

Most of my fellow Pinoy passengers were doing some last-minute, panic-buying for chocolates. This was on top of the Kit Kats they had already purchased the day before. One passenger had a hand-carry load of Kit Kats but still she was disappointed that she didn’t find any strawberry flavor.

The crew getting ready.

Boarding commenced as scheduled.

Flight reviews with not much to say is a good review. It means everything was working accordingly. Much like the old saying, “no news is good news.”

There were no video screens available. In their place was PAL’s In Air service. The announcement was kind of funny as to how it was delivered as it came in trickles, as if they were making it up along the way.

I asked an attendant if the iPad was for rent or for free. I guess she didn’t know as she didn’t answer my question. Instead, she told me that all the iPads have been requested already by the business class passengers.

Blankets for everyone and toys for kids were distributed before taking off, after which came our meals.

I had a choice between minced pork and fish and I chose the former. I had sworn off fish on board years ago when I realized that they never tasted good for some reason. I overheard one attendant saying that one passenger was asking for an extra bun because she was dissatisfied with the fish. See? But then again, I never enjoyed the pork meals either which turned out to still be the case. But the salad with sesame sauce and the pudding was terrific.

On our flight to Osaka, things were terrible while waiting in Manila. In a déjà vu way, on our flight back to Manila, things were okay until we landed to find out we had to share one carousel with two other flights.

It took me almost half an hour to retrieve my luggage, as almost everybody else was in queue as well. This explained the traffic at customs. But the test for patience did not stop there---naturally.

This is the line for the yellow metered taxi.

This is the line behind me.

It took me another half an hour to board a taxi and say “Sayonara, NAIA! Until next time!”

Oh, NAIA, you always give me things to talk about in my flight reviews.

---THE PARANOID TRAVELER

2 comments:

DiegoSeptember 20, 2014 at 6:30 PM
I had a similar experience when I flew with PR - and got quite badly delayed - back in February.

http://withinstrikingdistance.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/flight-report-mnl-nrt-on-pr-428/

Interestingly, in one of your snapshots (the check-in counter at KIX for your return flight) there's a sign in Japanese advertising a business-class upgrade @ 20,000 yen. Back in February, they were offering upgrades at the counter in MNL (which I took advantage of) but not in NRT; I wonder if they do this for all of their Japan flights now.
Alex VolkovNovember 25, 2023 at 1:28 AM
The rigorous training ensures that pilots are prepared for any situation that may arise. AV8 Prep private pilot license

Philippine Airlines Flight Review: Manila to Osaka (Round-Trip)

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