Business Class passengers get all sorts of perks for a steep price hike, but it begs the question, what exactly is the difference between Economy and Business Class, and is it actually worth it? What exactly do they get that Economy passengers don’t, especially on Philippine Airlines, the flag carrier of the Philippines? Let’s find out.
READ: Here's What You Can Expect from PAL's Business Class
Checking In
From the get-go, PAL Business Class fliers get special treatment. As they should for the price tag they paid. In the world of airlines, there’s no truer saying than “You get what you paid for.”
The moment they enter any airport, PAL Business Class passengers have the privilege of skipping long lines thanks to the dedicated counters for Business Class passengers. They’re also given a baggage allowance of up to 40 kg, depending on the flight, but all Business Class passengers tend to have a higher free baggage allowance than their counterparts in Economy and Premium Economy.
Should Business Class passengers bump into any issues, PAL offers an exclusive concierge to assist them in their needs. Once they clear immigration and security, they can head straight to the exclusive airport lounges that cater to PAL Business Class passengers.
Lounge Access
After Philippine Airlines moved all of their international flights from the Philippines to NAIA Terminal 1, only PAL Business Class passengers of domestic flights can still enjoy exclusive access to the Mabuhay Lounge at Terminal 2. For international flights at Terminal 1, Business Class passengers can enter PAGSS Lounge, A Lounge, and Marhaba Lounge, according to the PAL website. You can also access select lounges around the world with your premium ticket. At these lounges, passengers can enjoy a selection of hot meals, drinks, and cozy couches as they wait for boarding time.
Lounge access might seem like a tiny perk for Business Class tickets, but for anyone who’s had to endure immigration and security at NAIA, getting to unwind in a quiet and spacious area is well worth the upgrade. It’s the small details in improving the airport experience that drives many to book Business.
Boarding
Once it’s time for boarding, Business Class passengers are the first to be called. For whatever curious reason, Filipinos are always eager to be first on the plane, even though everyone has a pre-assigned seat. Of course, this rush to be first might be because of limited cabin space for carry-on bags. Thankfully, Business Class passengers don’t have to worry about that. They’re always the first to be called on and first to be called off. No need to participate in the Hunger Games to get in front of the line. As for cabin space, there’s more than enough space for carry-on bags in the Business Class area.
The Seat
Now to the good part: the seat. Like all Business Class flights, PAL provides spacious seats for its premium customers. There’s plenty of storage space for you to place your phone or personal items. The seat comes with universal plugs and USB ports for easy charging, and there’s enough legroom for PBA players to be comfortable.
But the best part is definitely the seat itself. Business Class seats double as massage chairs, and with the way the seating plan is set up, you won’t upset anyone if you push your seat back. In fact, on some flights (particularly the A350, Tri-Class A330, B777, and A321neo planes), you can turn your Business Class seat into a completely flat bed, perfect for long-haul flights.
Like Economy and Premium Economy seats, Business Class seats come with a pillow and blanket, especially for transpacific flights, but Business Class also gets the added perk of Acca Kappa x Furla or L’Occitane kits comprised of body lotion, lip balm, eyeshades, comb, dental kit, socks, fragrance, and eyeshades.
While most PAL seats are outfitted with personal TVs, let’s just say that Business Class TVs are more likely to work faster than those in Economy. Even the headphones in Business are a little better quality, or at least more likely to function.
Then there’s the aesthetic to consider. While PAL might not be at the same level as Etihad and Singapore Airlines, Business Class is still more visually pleasing than Economy. It’s important to note that Business Class seat plans depend on the plane, but all of them have a sleeker and cleaner look than Economy. Perfect for the ‘gram!
The Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi for Business Class is only complimentary up to 15 MB, then you can purchase a plan like everyone else on the plane. However, connection is not always guaranteed, so if you plan to work on the journey, we suggest sticking to only offline tasks just to be safe.
The Food
Airline food is notorious for being bad, but PAL’s Business Class menu fights that stereotype. With critically acclaimed Chef Valerie Castillo-Archer as the newly-appointed head of catering operations, PAL’s food options are all but guaranteed to be good. Born in Ilocos Norte but raised in California, Castillo-Archer made a name for herself in Los Angeles as the first female and first Filipino-American executive chef of Yamashiro, an iconic establishment in the heart of Hollywood.
Chef Castillo-Archer’s new Business Class menu was launched in March, with gourmet food items like Tuna Tataki Salad, Tiger Prawn Singing, Miso Seabass, Filet Mignon, Truffle Mac and Cheese, and Ilocano Cauliflower Adobo. Of course, the iconic PAL Arroz Caldo is still on board for those who want a taste of nostalgia.
Overall, the revamped Business Class menu only enhances the in-flight experience.
The Washrooms
Unfortunately, there’s no special washroom for Business Class passengers on PAL. On certain planes, some washrooms might be located away from Economy to reduce foot traffic. All the washrooms are small and compact, but there’s no avoiding that, unfortunately. Not every airline can provide in-flight showers and chaise lounges in their washrooms like Emirates.
The Price
With that, is Philippine Airlines Business Class worth the price tag?
At PAL, Economy seats are usually just a third of the price of Business Class. But with Business Class, you’re paying for more than a seat: You’re paying for end-to-end convenience. From checking in without fuss, to getting lounge access, boarding first, and enjoying spacious seats and chef-approved food.
But then again, Filipinos know how to deal with a little inconvenience. Our frugal nature naturally has us leaning toward the cheapest option. Until you start considering the back pain and added stress you’ll get in Economy.
More often than not, airplane seats can make or break a holiday, so you might as well invest in making it a good experience instead of a stressful one. While Premium Economy is also an option on PAL, we’d recommend bumping all the way up to Business Class. Why go halfway when you can go all the way?
There’s also the matter of PAL’s Economy to Business Class price difference. PAL’s Business Class tickets are usually three times its Economy, which is a good deal compared to airlines like Singapore Airlines that charges four times the regular amount for Business Class.
In our opinion, Economy might be the best choice for short flights from Manila to Cebu, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, etc. But for the long haul flights to Australia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, Business Class is the way to go. There’s no doubt about it.
*This story originally appeared on Esquiremag.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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