PAL sells food, limits baggage allowance in domestic flights

MANILA, Philippines – Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is introducing some of the practices of budget airlines in its domestic flights, mostly operated by unit PAL Express.

In a statement Saturday, September 21, PAL said it will provide “passengers the option to buy food and beverage on board,” and introduced different baggage allowances.

These are part of 4 fare structures PAL announced: Budget Economy, Regular Economy, and Premium Economy.

“All fare classes will offer light snacks on board – except for business class that offers hot meals,” PAL said.

“For Q300 and Q400-operated flights, passengers have the option to buy food and beverage on board,” it added, referring to aircraft from the Bombardier Q family. These are fleet serving regional routes.

Baggage allowance, mileage

All PAL passengers will still be allowed 7 kilograms of free handcarry baggage. The difference lies in the check-in baggage allowance.

Budget Economy passengers will already be charged a fee for check-in baggage — similar to how most budget airlines, which have a single class (economy) aircraft, do.

WATCH: Rappler Animate: How can budget airlines afford low fares 

PAL’s Regular Economy and Premium Economy passengers will be allowed only up to 10 and 20 kilograms of free check-in baggage, respectively.

Business Class allows 30 kilograms of free check in baggage.

PAL said that all fare classes will still earn miles as part of the PAL-PALex integrated Frequent Flyer Program.

Value-for-money

The 4 fare classes will “allow customers to tailor fit their travel experience to their actual needs,” noted PAL.

“This new fare structure is a very ideal value-for-money proposition for our customers because not only will they be given choices in terms of pricing but they will continue to experience the same quality of service from our highly trained pilots, cabin crew and ground personnel in the air and on the ground,” PAL president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

PAL is currently pursuing fleet modernization, network expansion and major service enhancement programs as part of efforts to return to profitability by 2014.

PAL Express now operates most of PAL’s domestic flights, but PAL still markets these flights. PAL Express used to be Airphil Express. – Rappler.com