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“Terrible service. stay away.”
Review of Philippine Airlines (PAL)


Reviewed October 28, 2024

Philipines Airlines is the absolute worst airlines I have ever flown on. The customer service is rude and opportunistic. They definitely have a skin tax and in America that is not acceptable. They cancel flights days before and reschedule your connecting flights hours before you arrive. Stay away at all costs.

Date of travel: October 2024
    • Seat comfort
    • Legroom
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
1  Thank shops a
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippine_Airlines, Manager at Philippine Airlines (PAL), responded to this reviewResponded October 29, 2024

Hi there. We regret to learn about your sentiments. We want to assure you that it is never the intention of our customer service agents to cause any disservice or come off as rude to our passengers. It is always our goal to provide an efficient customer service to everyone and we recognize we fell short in this instance.

We believe that passenger feedback is vital in helping us determine which service areas we can still enhance. Rest assured, you have our commitment that we are continuously improving our products and services to be able to provide an excellent experience that all our passengers rightfully deserve.

Please send us a direct message through any of our official social media channels below should you require further assistance. We will be ready to help out.

Instagram: @flyPAL
X (previously Twitter): @flyPAL

Thank you, and we hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future.

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviews (5,781)
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44 - 48 of 5,781 reviews

Reviewed October 27, 2024

THE SERVICE GIVEN BY THE STAFFS AT THE CHECK-IN COUNTER WERE EXTREMELY RUDE! OUR FLIGHT GOT CANCELLED BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER AND WE TRIED TO REBOOK A TICKET AT AN EARLIEST DATE! THEY SAID THAT THE TICKETS WERE ALREADY SOLD OUT BUT WE SAW ONLINE THAT THEY WERE A FEW SEATS MORE THAT WERE AVAILABLE. I EVEN SAW SOME PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CASH IN THEIR HANDS WERE ABLE TO FLY AT THE EARLIEST DATE AND GUESS WHAT THEY SOLD THEM TICKES! ALL OF THEIR STAFFS THERE INCLUDING THE SECURITY GUARD AT PHILIPPINE AIRLINES ARE INVOLVE IN THIS SCHEME. THAT SECURITY GUARD WAS SLOWLY PICKING UP THEIR LUGGGES SO PEOPLE WON’T NOTICED THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY SELL YOU EXTRA TICKETS FOR AN EARLY FLIGHT! ONE MORE THING IS I REQUESTED A REFUNDED FOR ME AND MY PARTNER’S TICKET AND THEY CHARGED ME WITH A CANCELLATION FEE OF ALMOST HALF OF THE PRICE OF THE TICKET BECAUSE THE FIRST OPTION THAT I ACCEPTED WAS TO BOOK IT AT AN EARLIEST DATE POSSIBLE INSTEAD. BUT LATER ON DECIDED TO JUST GET A REFUND OF THE TICKET. IMAGINE THE FRUSTRATION OF NOT JUST MYSELF BUT FOR ALL THE PASSENGERS OF THIS FLIGHT! THEY ONLY HAVE AMAZING SERVICE FOR PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS BUT GROUND PERSONNELS ARE THE WORST TO DEAL WITH. 100% BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE EVEN THE ACCOMODATION BECAUSE THE FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED WERE NOT COMPENSATED BY PAL. WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD THE PASSENGERS DO? STAY AT THE AIRPORT AND WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS FOR THE FLIGHT?!! WHILE YOU PEOPLE GET TO ENJOY HEADING HOME??? INSANE! EXTREMELY BAD SERVICE!!

Date of travel: September 2024
Thank XtraRyze G
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippine_Airlines, Manager at Philippine Airlines (PAL), responded to this reviewResponded October 29, 2024

Hi there. We are sorry to learn about your previous trip with us. We understand your flight was disrupted due to inclement weather and we regret that you found the service given by our check-in counter staff rude. It is definitely not our intention to cause any disservice as we always strive to provide a smooth and comfortable journey to all our passengers.

Moreover, while we recognize that your claim regarding this incident is serious, we would like to further investigate on this. Please send us your booking information via direct message through any of our official social media channels below. We will be ready to help out.

Instagram: @flyPAL
X (previously Twitter): @flyPAL

Thank you, and we hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future.

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Reviewed October 23, 2024

My family and I flew business class from Honolulu to Manila. we chose Philippine Airlines because it had better connections and was a little less expensive than the alternatives. I WILL NEVER MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. They are difficult to deal with in making the bookings, have no reliable lounge at the honolulu airport, serve low quality "food" in business class and make a joke of the experience of 'business class' travel. The savings are not worth the sacrifices. The staff are cordial and try to help but they are working for a substandard company.

Date of travel: October 2024
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
Thank dagudawg
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippine_Airlines, Manager at Philippine Airlines (PAL), responded to this reviewResponded October 27, 2024

Hi there. We are truly sorry to learn about your previous experience with us flying Business Class from Honolulu to Manila. We understand you found it difficult to book a flight with us, you perceived our lounge staff unreliable, and you were disappointed on the inflight meals served. Please know that this is definitely not the level of service we aim to provide to our customers, most especially to our Business Class passengers. We hope you can accept our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused.

We strongly recognize that passenger feedback is very important in helping us identify which service areas we can still improve. Rest assured, you have our commitment that we are constantly enhancing our products and services to be able to provide an excellent experience that all our passengers rightfully deserve.

Please send us a direct message through any of our official social media channels below should you require further assistance. We will be ready to help out.

Instagram: @flyPAL
X (previously Twitter): @flyPAL

Thank you, and we hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future.

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed October 22, 2024

October 2024
With PR I had 4 sectors. BKK MNL LAX MNL DPS (Bali). Troubles started when they cancelled my MNL to DPS Bali flight and moved me to the next day. I asked for a hotel but they advised me it was my cost! So I booked a hotel. BKK to MNL went fine then problems again. We were to fly direct MNL to LAX but the night prior a family member called me from Australia to say the direct flight was cancelled. I had been rebooked via Seoul to LAX. The flight went from 13 hours to 18 hours!!! They changed the aircraft to an Airbus 330 from a Boeing 777, so the pre-paid seat I chose was out the window. They would not let me choose a new seat. No refund on paying to choose my seat. The flight was a nightmare. Unfriendly cabin attendant in our section and aircraft packed. Their seats are not built for western people even though I am not big. Then 2 days before I am to fly back to MNL they again cancel the direct flight and rebook me via Honolulu. Again from a 13 hour flight to 18 hours. I refused and they rebooked me direct the following day. Again I lost my prepaid seat and that was a total waste of money as they would not let me choose my new seat! On the Boeing 777 the girl serving us, Patricia was really top notch. Excellent. I pity Patricia has to work for PR. She deserves to work for a decent company. The toilet was filthy it made me feel sick to use it and the seats packed in 10 across. Decent airlines they are 9 across. The food was inedible. I was so hungry. I lost the money on my unused hotel in Manila as arrived a day later. I connected straight to Bali. It was an A321 Manila to Bali. I have never been so uncomfortable on a plane in my life. If you are a westerner do not go there. I had to put a cushion on my knees as they were hard pressed against the seat in front. The food again was inedible. The crew were friendly/tried their best, but again deserve better. There were only 2 toilets for a large A321 and queues were long. There was a toilet up front but only for Business Class of course. My advice if you must fly Philippine Airlines. 1 - If for business or an event fly at least 3 days early in case they cancel or re-route you. 2 - take your own food. 3- if you are westerner book 2 seats (no point prepaying an exit row as it is russian roulette if you will in fact get anything you pay for.).I intend to reverse the charge on the money I paid to choose my seats and will NEVER fly with Philippine Airlines again. Back to JAL for me. I made a huge mistake booking PR.

Date of travel: October 2024
Thank MarkB7474
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippine_Airlines, Manager at Philippine Airlines (PAL), responded to this reviewResponded October 27, 2024

Hi, Mark. We are sincerely saddened to learn about your previous experience with us from BKK-MNL-LAX-MNL-DPS. We understand you encountered challenges during your journey, namely, the abrupt schedule changes, aircraft changes, seat displacement, and your sentiments on the inflight meal. Please allow us to extend our apologies for the inconvenience caused, as this is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide our passengers. We believe that passenger feedback is vital in helping us determine which service areas we can still enhance. Rest assured, you have our commitment that we are continuously improving our products and services to be able to provide an excellent experience that all our passengers rightfully deserve.

Despite this, we hope you can allow us to extend our assistance to you. Could you please send us your booking reference, ticket number, and e-mail address through our official social media channels below?

Instagram: @flyPAL
X (previously Twitter): @flyPAL

The information would help us conduct investigation in relation to your reported incidents. Thank you, Mark, and we look forward to making this right with you.

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Reviewed October 22, 2024

We flew business class from Melbourne to Manila on a Wamos Flight which is being wet leased by PAL until the end of the year for this route.

I had the flat bed closest to the window and I did find it cramped and a little uncomfortable. The business configuration also appears crowded. My seat had a very narrow exit. The seat offset to this one had a lot more exit room.

The business class amenities provided were great.

Staff were a combination of Wamos and PAL staff, and were pleasant and offered good service.

Meals were a little bit hit and miss with my breakfast great, but my wife did not enjoy the prawns and noodles. Some meals did lack appropriate presentation. I recently flew on business class on a Middle Eastern airline where the food was fantastic and far superior.

PAL do need to improve on their food offerings for the premium paid for a business airfare. The drink offering were very good.

Date of travel: September 2024
3  Thank tommomelbourne
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippine_Airlines, Manager at Philippine Airlines (PAL), responded to this reviewResponded October 27, 2024

Hi, Tommo. Thanks for taking the time in sharing your previous experience with us bound for Manila from Melbourne. We hear your sentiments on the cabin condition, namely, the cramped flat bed, narrow sweat, and the lack of presentation of the inflight meals. We believe that passenger feedback is vital in helping us determine which service areas we can still enhance. Rest assured, you have our commitment that we are continuously improving our products and services to be able to provide an excellent experience that all our passengers rightfully deserve.

Please send us a direct message through any of our official social media channels below should you require further assistance. We will be ready to help out.

Instagram: @flyPAL
X (previously Twitter): @flyPAL

Thank you, Tommo, and we hope to have the chance to serve you better in the future.

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