Philippine Airlines is currently offering full-service return Business class fares from both Melbourne and Sydney to London for under $4,000 return. The Philippine Airlines sale fares are available for various travel dates between May and November 2018. Itineraries with both short and longer layovers in Manila are available.
To access these cheap flights, you’ll need to book through a third-party online travel agent. The same fares are not availabile directly with Philippine Airlines. Webjet appears to be the cheapest place to book. Business flights from Melbourne to London are on sale from just $3,876 return. This price includes Webjet’s $21.95 “Booking Price Guarantee” and $32.95 “Webjet Servicing Fee”. You can also book through Zuji, but the price is slightly higher at $3,960.
The Business class Philippine Airlines sale fares from Sydney to London are priced at $3,892 return on Webjet or $3,975 return through Zuji.
There are some risks when booking through third-party online travel agents. These are largely outweighed by the significant difference in price in this case, but be prepared for potential hassles if you need to change or cancel any of the flights.
Philippine Airlines flies modern aircraft with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access for all Business passengers between Sydney, Melbourne and Manila. Unfortunately, the Boeing 777-300ER used between Manila and London-Heathrow does have angle-flat Business seating in a 2-3-2 configuration. But given the price, this is still good value for Business class.
You can credit these flights to the Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer program. Alternatively, you can earn Etihad Guest miles (but not Tier Miles, which count towards status) with Philippine Airlines. These flights would earn approximately 26,500 Etihad Guest miles. You can redeem Etihad Guest miles for Virgin Australia flights, among other uses.
Philippine Airlines is not the only airline offering cheap Business class flights to Europe at present. China Southern Business fares from Melbourne to London via Guangzhou are currently available for as little as $4,200 return when booked through an online travel agent. Royal Brunei Airlines flights from Melbourne to London are also available from around $4,300 return. With Royal Brunei Airlines, there are stops in Bandar Seri Begawan and Dubai. Note that Royal Brunei is a dry airline so no alcohol is served. China Airlines also has great value Premium Economy & Business class fares to Europe.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: PR MEL – LHR $3889 J return; $1105 Y return
