The Filipino flag carrier is finally returning to Western Australia, ending a near decade-long drought.
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| Put your feet up and relax in Philippine Airlines' Airbus A321neo business class. |
Western Australians looking to explore new territory in 2023 will soon have another non-stop option in South East Asia, with Philippine Airlines revealing plans to launch flights between Perth and Manila from March 27.
Shaving four to six hours off alternate travel times, the thrice-weekly A321neo flight – equipped with the fully flat business class – marks an end to a decade-long absence from Perth, after briefly serving it via Darwin in 2013 before abandoning the route the same year.
Plans were previously floated to commence the service back in 2019, with a tentative launch date in late March 2020. However, the pandemic pulled the rug out before wheels left the ground.
Although a single-aisle plane, the PAL A321neo provides three rows of flatbed business class seating in a 2-2 configuration, providing a comfortable option for the seven hour flight.
With global travel mostly returning to normality, PR223 will at last wave goodbye to Manila at 12:05am local time every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, touching down in Perth at 7:15am.
On the return, PR224 from Perth to Manila will also take off every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving Terminal 1 at 8:30am local time and landing in Manila at 3:50pm.
With 7,641 islands (to be precise) surrounded by white-sand beaches and home to dramatic volcanic landscapes, not to mention an intriguing cultural mix, warm locals and sensational cuisine, the Philippines is one of South East Asia’s best kept secrets.
PAL President and COO Captain Stanley K. Ng says the Filipino flag carrier is delighted to say “Mabuhay, Perth!” as it rebuilds its Australian connections, while also providing a perfect opportunity for travellers to discover the more of the Philippines.
Perth is the airline’s fourth Australian gateway, joining Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, all of which are served with nonstop flights using Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft. With the addition of Perth, PAL’s total from Australia will soar to 20 per week.
Philippine Airlines doesn’t have a partner airline in Australia and isn’t a member of a global alliance, although its Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer program is free to join.