$1210 J class round trip on PR MEL/SYD to S.E Asia

[MEL_Traveller]

Any idea what aircraft they are flying from CNS to MNL?.

A320. (flightaware)

 

[drivatruk]

drivatruck, one of the great features of this site is how passengers like you give us on-the-spot or later reports of experiences.

In these circumstances, if you can't find something such as a recline control, I'd generally risk embarrassment and ask a cabin crew member. They've usually had the same question before so they won't laugh at you. They understand that many of us travel on different airlines, and sometimes with significant gaps in between international flights on any carrier, so we either don't know or forget the nuances.

Danoleary55 has posted a photo of the seat control showing what I consider to be the lack of a separate control for moving the seat back separately to the rest of the seat.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Danoleary55 has posted a photo of the seat control showing what I consider to be the lack of a separate control for moving the seat back separately to the rest of the seat.

The way similar seats have worked is to use the 'total recline' button (ie the one that takes you to a bed). That both reclines the back and starts the leg rest up. You can then adjust the leg rest back down again using the specific leg-rest control. Dunno if that similarly applies to these specific seats.

 

[Melburnian1]

Having now travelled with the terrific new J product I have to concur with other observations.

A good sleep on a lie flat bed that didn't have irritating joins, comfortable seat when not reclined, excellent food (and a choice that didn't run out despite a close to full cabin), pleasant staff and on time.

In J, rows 2 and 4 are the best, especially the window seats if travelling alone, as the console is on the aisle side.

Cruiser Elite's negativity may have been true in past years but while PR is (like QF did) releasing one Airbus A330-300 a month after upgrading, and hence there's quite a few more to have the work undertaken, the result is a quality product that more than matches the SYD - MNL offering on QF19.

While the key is good maintenance not age by itself, the PR A333s are only about three years old, much younger than QF's.

And PR's fares are usually (especially in the two higher classes) significantly below QF's. Additionally, QF does not offer MNL - MEL - MNL nonstops so PR is a winner there, but these are only 3x week unlike its daily MNL - SYD - MNL flights (the latter have different schedules on three of the seven days, with these three days not offering connections to or from elsewhere in Oz.)

 

[N860CR]

I'm booked on the awfully early 6am PR SYD-MNL in a few days with onwards to HKG. Seat selection is for the new 333, but recent flights show the 343 has made a reappearance. Time will tell.

6am is truly a horrible departure time. I'm unsure if I should go "nursing home" and try to do dinner at 4:30pm and climb into bed at 7pm, or just be a rebel and stay awake until I leave for the airport at 3:30.

 

[Melburnian1]

Agreed, N860CR, it's a horrible time to depart internationally given the minimum check in time requirements, but EK have an identically timed Dubai-bound daily departure from SYD so one assumes that is successful.

The PR early morning 0600, however, is almost certain to have lower passenger loadings than the mid morning one that departs on the other four days of the week. The 0600 hours does not connect from anywhere, although in arriving MNL at noon, it has the distinct advantage of allowing passengers to travel from the airport to their hotel (not that you are) at a 'siesta' time of time when the challenging traffic of this highly populous city is a little less.

Stay awake because you won't get decent sleep "thinking" that you have to rise at 0330 hours (unless you are way better than me.)

If the flight is on time, the initial meal service should be finished by about 0815 AEST and you can then, hopefully, snooze.

The 'unrenovated' A333 may occasionally reappear (as well as the elderly A343s) with the A333s' strange business class section: lie flat beds, but oddly positioned in a 2-2-2 layout. FR24 suggests that the next departures of PR214 (18. 19 and 21 September) are rostered for the refurbished aircraft with the excellent 1-2-1 layout, but unfortunately FR24 does not yet go beyond those dates, and nor does it for the previous late evening arrival of PR213.

Some MNL - HKG and return flights are the 'new' A333s but it's not consistent, and some days one of the four 'new' aircraft sits idle in MNL, perhaps for maintenance. PR certainly isn't using them as productively as say QF or VA might.

 

[N860CR]

I'll report back in a few days. 3 out of the last 6 departures have been the A340.

 

[Melburnian1]

The good news N860CR is that PR has four of the refurbished A333s operating, but it's similar to when QF was refurbishing its A332s and A333s with an element of pot luck.

 

[Limewood]

Is this J offer out of OZ now finished?.

 

[Melburnian1]

Yes, it was only for a very limited booking period but having said that, with refurbished aircraft almost always on PR209/210/211/212 and much of the time on PR213/214 (the MEL and SYD - MNL routes) and PR's fares being usually below almost all other carriers (exception: BI), the J fares still represent quite good value and are way below what CX, SQ and QF typically charge.

PR can even be a good way of going to the USA or Canada if you have some extra time up your sleeve, and it could always be combined with a stopover to travel to the central islands and see some amazingly beautiful glorious white sand beaches, some of which are uncrowded (particularly if you are prepared to travel two hours plus away from the nearest airport.)

 

[Limewood]

Not a fan of PR have flown with them once before and MNL airport didn't cross any boxes either but if these J flights popped up again I'd have to think about it, yes I've seen the pristine beaches and we wre lucky enough to spend a few days on my friends private island off Davao.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not a fan of PR have flown with them once before and MNL airport didn't cross any boxes either but if these J flights popped up again I'd have to think about it, yes I've seen the pristine beaches and we wre lucky enough to spend a few days on my friends private island off Davao.

Whatever people's thoughts about PR, business is still business. These $1200 fares were less than the Qantas economy fare during the recent rugby in Tokyo. Some of my friends that 'ummed' and 'ahhhed' ended up paying over $1300 on QF. And the connection to HND was pretty good with limited layover in MNL.

I'd jump on these again!

 

[Melburnian1]

N860CR, the next four departures of PR213 (and hence PR214 next day) are displaying as '330' on FR24 which indicates the refurbished aircraft. If it shows '332' or '343' it is respectively the unrefurbished A333s or the quite old A343s. So you may be in luck.

 

[N860CR]

A "meh" experience overall, but good enough for the money.

3 sectors on the new A330, one on the A321.

SYD-MNL (6am departure) delayed 2 hours due ATC fault. We were stuck on the plane during. Not a lot of info offered, and no service at all (no water). Seat is good. Nice to sit in, no topper means you can feel every lump while sleeping but I did manage to find a comfortable position. Food was awful. Service ok, but very fake. Crew needed to be called on for everything.

Transit in MNL is very easy. Down the escalator with the 5 foot clearance, through a very dodgy security (didn't pickup 2 water bottles in my bag) and back into the feral MNL terminal. Only had about 10 mins in the lounge, but it was fine. Nothing special, nothing nice, but did the job.

MNL-HKG was on the same A330. Fine overall. Food again pretty average. Crew were better, but they were not at all proactive.

HKG-MNL. A321. Bus gate at HKG (500s). HK Immigration a total mess at T1, lines snaked back to security. Should have gone through T2. Used the HK Airlines lounge which was very quiet at 7am. Buffet wasn't open so just grabbed a coffee and left. I thought it was a train to the 500 gates, but they're located close by (I guess PAL often uses the bus gates). Service was excellent on this flight with a very senior crew. Food again poor, which I had accepted was a PAL thing by this point.

MNL-SYD. 1 hour connection in MNL that slipped to 30 mins. As we walked off the HKG flight, SYD was already boarding at the next gate. Obviously directed downstairs, through security and back into the terminal. Was odd to mix with the SYD pax as we walked down the boarding area. Secondary security and doc check at the gate. Crew were good on boarding, walking through with champagne bottles. Gradually got less interested during the flight. Seat was again good. IFE doesn't offer much so I had used it all up by this point. Food was the best of the 4 on this leg, but still only matched economy standards.

I had ordered a few items from their online botique for delivery on the MNL-SYD flight. Nobody had spoken to me so an hour before landing I followed up. Of course, nothing had been loaded. The purser said "these things happen" and suggested I email PAL (and he would put in a report). PAL haven't responded, and calls have gotten me nowhere. I'll need to reverse the charges on my MC as they don't know what to do, and that adds a bit of a sour taste. Their customer service doesn't seem to be very good.

Overall they were find for $1200, but I wouldn't pay anymore than this

 

[Melburnian1]

N860CR, I agree it must be extremely annoying not to have received those items. One can usually do a chargeback with one's credit card provider as you indicate. You are wise not to keep on calling or emailing: regrettably, as with many airlines, this is ignored.

How full were these flights? Were you on the day flights PR213/PR214 or the traditional overnight ex MNL, mid morning ex SYD PR212/PR211?

I have to disagree on the food in J on PR: it is very good to excellent, and usually there's a choice of Western, Asian or Asian (Filipino.) This airline hands out nice menu cards.

If one chats with the cabin crew, they are usually very friendly in return.

The entertainment selection for IFE is also now large, and much better than it used to be, and the suites in J are terrific.

A mattress topper in J would be an improvement but even without that I nodded off pretty quickly. The bumps or joins didn't seem to be a problem but that may depend on whether one sleeps on one's back or side?

I'd certainly shell out $2600 return (A$1200 return to HKG in J was a huge bargain) and overall regard the PR experience MEL - MNL or SYD - MNL as better than Qantas (and Cebu Pacific, but the latter is all economy class on its A333s so it's not an apples v apples comparison.)

The refurbished PR A333s are now on every MEL and SYD flight. The cabins look great and as a side issue, the PR Airbuses are much younger than most or all of the QF A332s/A333s - QF only ever seem to operate the A332s with smaller IFE screens in economy on the Manila run from SYD, and PR is the only airline with nonstops MNL - MEL - MNL.

Interestingly with the refurbished cabins this airline seems to be carrying more passengers in J than the almost empty J cabin into and especially out of Australia that used to be the case, at least on the Melbourne flights. One travel agent I know claims that the feedback from all passengers to whom he has spoken has been in all instances excellent, but like all agents he doesn't obtain comments from every passenger he books.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'd certainly shell out $2600 return (A$1200 return to HKG in J was a huge bargain) and overall regard the PR experience MEL - MNL or SYD - MNL as better than Qantas (and Cebu Pacific, but the latter is all economy class on its A333s so it's not an apples v apples comparison.)

I agree $1200 was a bargain and I'd snap it up at that price. All I want is a flat bed! But I think the upper limit might top out at about $1500-1800... otherwise i can be flying TG via Lifemiles.

Edited: it's a pity that while their economy fares are good (~700 return to manila), their premium economy is very high... almost $1900. I thought it might be a good option for picking up a good fare from MNL in the future... but LM would bring it well under this.

 

[N860CR]

Must have flown on a different airline... not sure how much premium cabin experience you have, but pre-plated low quality meals served on a single tray are far from “very good to excellent”. It’s rare that I’d say Qantas is a step up... but this would be one of those occasions.

Both flights were the “daytime flights” (ex SYD at 6am and ex MNL at 11am) which makes business less important.

Again, great for $1200, but I wouldn’t pay much more than that

 

[JK1964]

Absolutely no complaints from us. Have extensive premium cabin experience on NZ, VA, SQ, EK, UA, DL, VX, MH, EY and AC. Was wary of flying with PR but for $1,200 return to HKG gave them a go. PR lack the finesse of some of the other carriers and sometimes the FAs are not proactive and need a bit of a push to refill drinks etc, but overall a great experience. Food was generally excellent, friendly staff and the new A330 suites are excellent. Will consider using them again despite lack of FF programs to credit to.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Will consider using them again despite lack of FF programs to credit to.

Credits to Etihad. Z class earns 125% of miles flown.

 

[thousandsteps]

Flew SYD-MNL return in January 2018 in J. My overall assessment is good value for money (paid $1800 return).

New business class lie-flat seats on A330 very good. .

SYD-MNL service was friendly, ok but not excellent. Food was ok, not exceptional (vegetarian meal).

MNL-SYD service was ok, Food was not good (vegetarian breakfast was two small plates of fruit).

Good value for the price point. Would not have flown if not for the new lie-flat seats. I flew J years ago on one of their Boeings with recline, antiquated, rattling sets.