PAL plans B777 flights to Toronto, Paris, New York
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its third Boeing 777-300ER and is planning non-stop flights from Manila to Toronto, Paris and New York.
PAL president Ramon Ang told the Philippine Daily Inquirer of the planned destinations took received latest B777-300ER, a highly suitable aircraft for long-haul flights. The ER at the end of the plane’s title denotes just that – it stands for Extended Range.
Ang also runs San Miguel Corp, Southeast Asia’s largest publicly listed food, beverage and packaging company – which now controls the airline.
“In the months ahead, three more Boeing 777 aircraft will be delivered to PAL. For us, it means a modern fleet that we can be proud of. And for our loyal passengers, this means more new exciting destinations. In the near future, PAL will fly non-stop to Toronto, Paris and New York City,” Ang said.
He later gave a timeframe: Toronto could start in just three months while flights to Paris will probably wait until at least February 2014.
Ang sees PALs first priority as turning the company around “by tapping into the strengths of San Miguel Corp. and the Lucio Tan group of Companies”. The airline must modernise its fleet, expand its route network and improve passenger service, he said.
Ang pointed out that although PAL was operating in a very competitive environment, it was one offering a wealth of opportunity.
PAL on Monday unveiled new in-flight dishes prepared by five top-rated guest chefs; book-and-buy ticketing kiosks to be installed at selected petrol stations; and Apple in-flight iPads for entertainment onboard trans-Pacific flights.
PAL’s B777-300ERs seat 370 passengers. They currently serve Vancouver, Hong Kong, Australia and Japan (via Cebu).
Written by : Peter Needham
Why would Canada allow PAL who is banned from flying to Europe allow them into the East Coast – this is an accident waiting to happen.