Expanded services using new fuel-efficient aircraft has seen PAL named as the “Most Improved Airline for 2019”.
This is according to airlineratings.com, which describes itself as the world’s only safety and product rating website.
Its editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said: “A move to expand its global footprint using new generation fuel-efficient aircraft equipped with the latest cabins makes Philippine Airlines a worthy winner of the 2019 Most Improved Airline.”
The flag carrier is now using Airbus A350s for long-haul flights, including its recently launched non-stop services between Manila and New York.
PAL officials are also eyeing to use this in other routes to North America and Europe in the future.
The A350 can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles, and the aircraft’s cabin is quieter compared with other aircraft, since it uses a design and technology that reduce the noise by up to four times.
The A321neo, on the other hand, is a 168-seater aircraft that showcases modern innovations in cabin layout and seat design. There is more cabin space and better leg room for passengers, even in economy.
This will be used for PAL’s Manila-Sapporo route, which will begin next month. Currently, PAL also uses an A321neo for its nonstop Manila-Brisbane flights.
PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said today that the website editors had also lauded the airline’s plans to add new routes, including to New Delhi and Mumbai.
Overall, Singapore Airlines was named as the Airline of the Year. Also singled out for praise across various categories were Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Quantas, Korean Air, Virgin Australia, Emirates and VietJetAir.
As we also reported earlier this year, PAL was named by passengers as one of the world’s 50 best airlines.
As well as being ranked 49th out of 335 airlines by Skytrax, PAL was also recognised as the second-most improved carrier in the world. It has risen 38 places from its 83rd rank in 2016 and by 18 levels from its 67th rank last year.
The rankings were based on reviews by 20 million passengers from 100 different countries.
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