I could not let go of my very high impressions on Philippine Airlines. We booked our flights to Nagoya, Japan, using this airline. I have traveled the world since 2011 and this was my first flight with PAL since 2018, when I flew with them to my first visit to Cebu.
Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of the Philippines and also Asia's first and oldest airline (its long history dates back to 1941 and continues to shrine through until today!).
Notes:
- This is a personal blog on our travel experience and is neither promoted nor endorsed by Philippine Airlines.
- Updated June 6, 2025, to reflect new changes on PAL's baggage allowances for trips to Nagoya.
Background
In July 2023, I had a ground-breaking experience with my first-ever visit to Japan. Immediately after returning, I thought of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun again. In February 2024, my mom went to a travel fair in Pasay to inquire with travel agency JTB Asia Pacific Corporation. The flights were to be operated by Philippine Airlines, and learning that this was our airline, we were shocked.
It has become a regular way for us to travel low-cost when we travel internationally, but this was the first time since 2018 that we did it full-service (the last time was when we traveled to Thailand via PAL). In 2023, I flew on Cebu Pacific from Manila to Tokyo and back from Osaka using their Airbus A330neo. In our international trips with PAL, my mom inquires with travel agencies to avail for such flights.
Based on our personal experience, travel agencies charge way less than what airlines usually charge. We paid 18,000 pesos while the flights itself were 56,000 pesos in PAL's website. Hence, we saved around 38,000 pesos in additional expenses.
PAL has five fare classes in economy class: supersaver, saver, value, flex, and premium. Our flight came with a perk common on full-service carriers: free baggage allowance, aside from complimentary meals. PAL's website states that economy class passengers for Japan are entitled to a maximum of two (2) pieces of checked baggage with an allowance of up to 23 kilograms per piece. Due to the scorching hot summer temperatures in Japan, the 46-kg allowance better suited well for me, since we brought many clothes and other important stuff in our baggage. However, by May 2025, PAL made changes on the free baggage allowances for its Japan destinations. Passengers who availed the supersaver fares in this route are NOT entitled to any free baggage allowance. See this link to know more.
Departing flight: Sunday, July 21, 2024
We rode a taxi to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Since 2023, Philippine Airlines operates its international flights at T1, after airport authorities rationalized the terminal assignments of airlines. It previously operated at the nearby Terminal 2, which was subsequently converted for all-domestic use.
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| The check-in counters of Philippine Airlines have almost no one lining up! |
The check-in process was very quick, as there were almost no passengers lining up at the counters. We arrived less than five hours before our departure time. However, immigration took longer than expected due to long lines. Past immigration, you will see a duty-free shop, restaurant outlets, stores, and a transit lounge. I did a bit of plane spotting while waiting for boarding.
Usually, before going to the check-in counters, we pay a travel tax of 1,620 pesos per passenger on economy class at dedicated TIEZA counters. However, this fee was already included in our tickets; hence, we went straight to the counters.
Flight information
Route map
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| RP-C9912, an Airbus A321-231, is the aircraft for our departing flight! |
Boarding started at 5:10am at Gate 16. Business class passengers were the first to board, followed by those seated in economy. The flight attendants warmly greeted me upon boarding, as they did to the other passengers.
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| PAL seats have an adjustable headrest. |
I was seated at 72A, at the back of the plane. Philippine Airlines’ economy seats have a 30-degree pitch and an 18-inch width and has an adjustable headrest. The legroom is also fine for a five-footer like me, and the tray table works well. The seat pocket has the safety card, and interestingly, an airsickness bag similar to what Cebu Pacific has in its seat pockets.
Our pushback was delayed because the pilots announced the temporary closure of the international runway, 06/24. We soon pushed back at 6:18am and took around thirty minutes for the plane to taxi to the runway. We took off at 6:41am.
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| I chose this chicken meal with a salad and omelet side-dish as my inflight breakfast. |
After reaching cruising altitude, the breakfast service began. I chose to eat their chicken meal. It has two side dishes: a salad and a small omelet. There was also a watermelon and, interestingly, an Irish Cream Coffee! To wrap up my breakfast, I got their orange juice drink. The flight was uneventful, and I suddenly fell asleep.
Unfortunately, I was not able to record the lavatory as a result. I also could not find any magazine onboard. Nevertheless, the flight went smoothly.
I was not able to film for the next two hours, and I suddenly fell asleep. Time flied and we were already descending to Nagoya. We landed at 11:14am, a minute ahead of schedule. Japan’s time is an hour ahead of the Philippines.
Going to Japan has always been my childhood dream, but this was actually my second time visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. Although the best time to visit Japan is March or April, during the sakura season, we scheduled it to July to coincide with my school vacation. Visiting during the summer is quite difficult to do, as you will endure the scorching heat. I changed my clothes on an average of 3 times a day during our seven days there.
Overall, I enjoyed this PAL flight—comfortable, convenient, good meals, and friendly crew. For an extensive review, watch my trip report here:
Departing flight: Saturday, July 27, 2024
After seven fun days in Japan, we were back at Chubu Centrair International Airport. We soon arrived at Terminal 1 at 8:54am. Philippine Airlines operates at Terminal 1, like what full-service airlines do, while some low-cost carriers, including Cebu Pacific, operate at Terminal 2.
Because we arrived early, the check-in counters were not open until 9:45am. As such, I first went to their viewing deck to do some plane spotting. Check-in soon opened and long lines formed. We, however, checked in online and only lined up for the baggage drop.
Flight information
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| RP-C9935, an A321neo, is our plane back to Manila! |
Boarding was initially slated to start at 11:30 at Gate 21 but was delayed to 12:05 because our plane arrived a bit later than scheduled. We started boarding at 12:21.
I was seated at 44A, a window seat. Philippine Airlines’ economy seats have a 30-degree pitch and an 18-inch width and has an adjustable headrest. The legroom is also fine for a five-footer like me, and the tray table works well. The seat pocket has the safety card and an airsickness bag, similar to that of Cebu Pacific.
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| The 10-inch IFE of PAL's A321neo. |
The A321neos are equipped with 10-inch monitor screens, unlike older A321s which do not have in-flight entertainment (IFE) at the time of this video’s production (they are being refurbished to include such, with the first one being operational by 2025). Philippine Airlines’ in-flight entertainment offers a wide range of selections like movies and music. While I’m not fond of watching movies, I mostly listened to music. I mostly listened to Taylor Swift music, although I also have my own collection of other music on my phone. However, the inflight map did not work on my monitor; as such, I needed to rely on the larger screens quite far away from my seat.
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| A Beef Curry meal inflight as our lunch! |
We soon reached cruising altitude, and the lunch service soon started. I chose their Beef Curry meal, which I would say is delicious. Its side dishes include a salad and a meatball serving. The meal also came with fruits and Taiyaki bread. I also got their orange juice drink.
The flight was mostly uneventful, but there were instances of recurring turbulence. Unfortunately, I was not able to record the lavatory, but trust me, it’s clean.
After three hours, we began our descent to Manila. Due to air traffic congestion, however, we circled twice above eastern Metro Manila before air traffic control gave us clearance to land. Overall, I really enjoyed this flight.
I even had the chance to visit the cockpit and have a picture with the crew! Maraming salamat po sa inyo! Thank you, crew of flight PR 437, for making this flight my best ever!
We disembarked at Terminal 1—PAL's international hub. Immigration was quick, but we claimed our baggage after some time, after around 20 minutes. We then rode an airport taxi home.
For an extensive review, watch my trip report here:
Verdict
Timing and frequency
Philippine Airlines flies once daily to Nagoya from Manila. The midday arrival makes it perfect for those catching up for hotel check-ins. On the return side, the midday departure and late-afternoon arrival is convenient enough for those wishing to rest and wind down from their vacations to prepare for the next working week or day. Cebu Pacific nearly parallels PAL in terms of scheduling flights between those cities.
Overall service
Although I experienced a pretty decent service in the departing flight, the return flight went way better than I expected. Besides from the comfortable seats and delicious meals offered as a complimentary perk on full-service carriers, the crew was the saving grace for the flights. I became closer and closer to them as one flight attendant "spread my name across the cabin" after introducing myself to her. All were intrigued on my PAL papercraft I brought with me (see the previous pictures). Honestly, PR 437 of July 27, 2024, was the best flight I ever took.
See also my other Japan blogs:
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