🇵🇭Philippine Airlines PR209 Business Class MNL - MEL

I took this flight on 2nd March 2023.

This morning I flew business class on Philippine Airlines PR526 from Kuala Lumpur to Manila, and later this evening I'll take connecting flight PR209 to Melbourne.

The international departures area of Manila airport's Terminal 2 is a disaster, just one small, narrow area. There are no duty-free shops, and there are only two kiosks selling a bit of processed food if you want to eat, which is very bad.

Philippine Airlines has its own Mabuhay Lounge in Terminal 2 at its hub airport in Manila, so let's go in and have a look. At the entrance to the lounge, staff will check your boarding pass and take it away temporarily.

Once inside the lounge, turn right. You'll see a lounge area with a few sofas. Strangely, there are no newspapers or magazines available in this lounge.

Continue inside and you'll come to the dining area. Here you'll find fruit juices, fruit infused water and some pastries. You can also get a cup of coffee from the coffee machine.

The fridge is stocked with soft drinks, fruit juices, iced tea, plain milk and beers.

Find more breads here.

Sandwiches, mini burgers and fried puffs.

Here you will find chicken congee, which can be topped with a diced salted egg and fried onion.

Let's have a look at the hot dishes on offer. Steamed pork Siu Mai.

For rice, you can choose between plain rice or yellow fried rice.

Roast beef.

Tofu Sisig, a local speciality.

Alcoholic drinks can be ordered from this counter.

Further into the lounge, there are desserts and a salad bar. However, there are a few flies hovering over the salad bar, which is a little uncomfortable.

It's time for dinner.

The lounge seems a bit old and not very well designed, for example there is only one shower. I have to wait a long time to use the shower. While I'm waiting, the receptionist calls me. I go to the reception and ask what has happened and it turns out that I have to go downstairs, pick up my luggage, go through an explosives search and get a stamp on my boarding pass. The reason for this is that my final destination is Australia.

After the whole process I go back to the lounge to take a shower. The shower room is large and well equipped. The only thing that puzzles me is why there is a separate hot water system on the wall. And the water is way too hot.

As flight PR209 is to Australia, there will be additional security and passport checks at the boarding gate.

This Philippines Airlines Airbus A330-300, with Philippine registration RPC8782, will operate as flight PR209 to Melbourne this evening. The aircraft joined the airline in August 2013. The aircraft features 18 lie-flat Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy Class seats and 267 Economy Class seats.

As a business class passenger, I could do with priority boarding.

The Business Class cabin is in a 1-2-1 configuration, with each seat having direct aisle access and the ability to fully recline. Seats are staggered, so if you want a window seat, look for one with an even number.

There is a large divider to the right of the seat, giving passengers good privacy.

Every Business Class passenger has a large, responsive and touch-sensitive entertainment screen. Every Business Class seat has a pillow and a large blanket.

At the front of the seat, towards the bottom, there's a small storage compartment containing a safety instruction card, an air sickness bag and a pair of slippers.

The tray table is hidden in the wide armrest, so you have to pull it out by hand.

There's a compartment inside the divider that holds a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I don't know the brand, but it's certainly better than the shabby headphones provided in China Eastern's business class. There is also a leather Furla amenity kit.

Under the stowage rack you'll find a universal power socket, a headphone socket, a USB port and the in-flight service control panel.

The amenity kit contains body lotion, lip balm, eau de toilette, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, eye mask and a pair of socks.

Here you'll find a reading light and seat controls.

The flight attendant arrives to serve the refreshing towel.

These are the pillow and blanket I mentioned earlier. The blanket is quite large, thick and warm.

Let's take a look at the menu and see what's on offer on this overnight flight to Melbourne.

Dinner and breakfast are served on the eight-hour flight to Melbourne. Dinner is a choice of three main courses: Miso sea bass, steak or local style grilled chicken rice. Breakfast options include cold cuts and cheese or chicken sausage and ube waffles.

Business Class passengers can choose from a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The entertainment system is in 5 languages: English, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

I don't know why, but the flight attendant seems to have forgotten my welcome drinks...

After a couple of hours on the ground in Manila, it is time for a flight to Melbourne.

The cabin crew come in to set the table for dinner once the aircraft has reached cruising altitude.

First up is the tuna tataki salad, a roll, a packet of cashews and a small packet of chocolate commemorating the company's 82nd anniversary. The salad is very refreshing.

My main course will be paired with this French white wine.

Now the cabin crew arrive to serve my main course. It looks a bit simple, but it tastes great. The chicken is still tender and moist after being reheated.

Strawberry ice cream is served after my main course.

The meal ends with a bowl of cheese, dried fruit and crackers.

Let's take a look at the Business Class lavatory on the Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300. It is kept clean and has the amenities you would normally expect.

I turn my seat into a flat bed and it is time for the film. The cabin crew make regular rounds to provide passengers with water. Snacks are available on request.

The in-flight entertainment system offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, music and other content. This Airbus A330-300 doesn't have Wi-Fi, but considering the flight lasts around 8 hours, it's not a big deal.

I'm watching the Korean film Escape From Mogadishu.

As the plane flies over the Northern Territory, another refreshing towel is provided at the start of the breakfast service.

Breakfast starts with a packet of nuts, a roll, a small piece of chocolate and a plate of fruit.

When it's my turn, the cold cuts are the only option and they don't really whet my appetite. They are still too cold. Some of the sliced meat is hard to chew and makes me feel uncomfortable.

When this video comes up, I know we're getting closer to our destination, Melbourne, Australia.

When I left Melbourne at the end of July 2021, I never thought I would return. After more than 19 months, I'm back. And now this place is my second home.

A Thai Airways Airbus A350-900.

A Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Disembarking.

Many international flights arrive at Melbourne Airport in the morning. Even though I can use the eGate, it still takes me a while to get through.

Baggage claim area.

I'm waved through customs.

Steve Says

The transit experience at Manila airport leaves much to be desired. The cramped terminal lacks food and duty-free options.

The dated Philippine Airlines lounge has very limited shower facilities and no reading materials. However, it does offer ample savoury food and drinks.

The well-maintained aircraft features a large, private business class seat that converts into a comfortable bed with a thick blanket. The responsive in-flight entertainment system boasts a wide selection of films, shows and music. In-flight Wi-Fi is notably absent but tolerable on this relatively short flight.

Dinner is quite appetising, but breakfast disappoints. The cold, tough main course makes an unsatisfying start to the day. On the plus side, the airline provides a varied selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The friendly cabin crew are happy to chat in the galley after meal services, adding a personal touch. Mostly smooth flying with only minor turbulence makes for a pleasant journey.

Overall, this flight delivers comfort and entertainment once aboard, despite the lacklustre airport facilities. While breakfast left something to be desired, the service and amenities helped create an enjoyable trip.

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