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Direct Flights from Heathrow to Manila

Discussion in 'Travel Tips and Advice' started by Maharg, Sep 20, 2013.

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  1. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Maharg, Sep 20, 2013
    #1
  2. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I'm getting about 758 quid as a price on their site.
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #2
  3. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    This is really good, I am seriously thinking about his for Christmas, I usually have to pay 70 quid to get to and from Manchester by taxi, or the same or more to park in Manchester so I could get the train down to Heathrow for just 87 quid, which while it would be a pain and a long trip it would save me a lot given everyone else's Christmas prices.
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #3
  4. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Really? I got less than that. Maybe you need to keep trying at different times.
    Maharg, Sep 20, 2013
    #4
  5. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Just had a look. Yeah. They've gone up! I still got 290 for a flight from Manila to Heathrow on 1st or 2nd of January, but it was about 358 when I actually selected it. I think maybe it changes depending on times.
    Maharg, Sep 20, 2013
    #5
  6. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Have you got any idea which terminal they will fly from at Heathrow?
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #6
  7. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    They have stated that they will be using Terminal Four, which surprised me a bit - I wonder if they may be planning a codeshare with BA?

    Remember that revenue management systems are in use so it may be best to book early for the best price, and don't revisit the site too often...
    Methersgate, Sep 20, 2013
    #7
  8. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Interestingly if you pay a little extra for a refundable ticket (which I might just do) you get 100% miles which means that 2 trips a year to the Phils would get you Elite status, I've always appreciated priority check-in and occasionally lounge access plus their redemption rates are not bad for US based flights so they might be quite good for the London flights too.

    I have only ever flown PAL once, in business class, Cebu to Manila and it was spartan but nice.
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #8
  9. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    As far as I know, British Airways ceased having exclusive use of Terminal Four a few years ago and PAL's slot may have been allotted on the basis of aircraft size and type - 777s typically require two jet bridges. That in itself will be a bit of a challenge as there are none at Manila's Terminal 2 (the PAL terminal) and almost all its 777 flights currently depart and arrive at Terminal 1.
    Markham, Sep 20, 2013
    #9
  10. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    The fact that you will be arriving in Terminal Two in Manila is a definite attraction!

    I have always liked PAL - their professionalism and their safety record are good - and I used to fly them a lot - one distinguishing feature of their international flights which they seem to have retained from the old days is their cabin staff, who definitely come from a wealthier section of society*, are commonly of a certain age, with a gracious charm which is quite rare now - very different to Cebu Pacific and Air Asia!

    * It used to be said that only the daughters of the well connected could hope for a position with PAL; I get the impression that nothing has changed and the same ladies are on the staff!
    Methersgate, Sep 20, 2013
    #10
  11. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I like the fact that it's direct just worked out that my total journey time could be as low as 19 hours out and 19 hours back.

    Still a pain travelling on the underground to get back via Euston and I doubt I would cut it that fine on the outbound leg I think I would travel down a bit earlier.

    What's the food like on their flights?
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #11
  12. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    In my experience, PAL's food is not the greatest, and not the worst. About BA level.
    Methersgate, Sep 20, 2013
    #12
  13. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Not flown with BA for 14 years but from memory of that trip they were not too bad.
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #13
  14. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Not necessarily - there are currently no stands at Terminal 2 equipped with 2 jet bridges and PAL's 777s are using those at Terminal 1. That said, though, I've just checked for next March and the London flight will be arriving/departing at Terminal 2. The cost London-Manila-Davao-Manila-London is GBP1127.65 - yikes!

    As for meals, it seems that only breakfast is being served on the flight to London whilst both dinner and breakfast will be served on the Manila-bound flight.
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2013
    Markham, Sep 20, 2013
    #14
  15. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Good god, MNL-LHR is a 13 hour 55 minute flight and all they give you is breakfast!!! It's an hour and thirty minutes longer than the London-Manila leg.

    I mean for goodness sake they could serve a main meal three or four hours before landing in London as your body clock will be around about 5pm Manila time.
    oss, Sep 20, 2013
    #15
  16. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Yup, I know, Jim! The information I posted came from PAL's web site. Incidentally, their reservations system is quoting 13h55m for flights in both directions but the westbound flight would be around an hour longer than the eastbound flight; much depends on which air corridor they're being told to use across China (where the military controls all air traffic).

    However it is the fare that will be the deciding factor. PAL is charging around GBP300 more for its flight London to Manila than KLM (London City to Manila).
    Markham, Sep 20, 2013
    #16
  17. Howerd
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    Howerd Well-Known Member Trusted Member Lifetime Member

    China Southern has some very cheap return flights LHR-MNL (under £400 in some cases)
    Howerd, Sep 20, 2013
    #17
  18. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    China Southern does not have a great reputation, I have not read many reviews that would put my mind at ease travelling with them.

    Given the prices over Christmas, I had been looking at various carriers other than KLM but the dates available are getting more and more restrictive, peak time prices are mostly up in the 1100 to 1300 range, so I am forced to look at early December to very early Jan and the only carriers with anything sub 900 from Manchester were China Southern and Etihad although Etihad dates for those prices are getting tight as well now.

    I can picture PAL being quite good and would be willing to give them a shot, but for China Southern the routes are full of bad reviews and incredibly long transit delays in Chinese airports something just keeps telling me China Southern would be a big mistake for me.
    oss, Sep 21, 2013
    #18
  19. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Etihad are fine, but I will not fly China Southern. I had a scary experience with them flying into Manila in 1997 and once is enough.
    Methersgate, Sep 21, 2013
    #19
  20. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    One can look at flying to Hong Kong and making a local connection eg on Air Asia to Clark
    Methersgate, Sep 21, 2013
    #20
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