Avoid the Philippine Airlines: personnel experience and review.
Having traveled with Philippine Airlines (PAL) on multiple occasions, my experiences have left me disappointed and frustrated. In this post, I would like to shed light on the numerous issues I have encountered, including delayed flights, poor customer service, mishandled baggage, lack of compensation, outdated aircraft, and questionable pricing. Based on my experience, I strongly advise potential travelers, especially those considering long-international flights, to explore alternative airlines instead.
Often Delayed Flights: One recurring issue I faced with PAL is the frequent occurrence of delayed flights. It is disheartening to experience the inconvenience of waiting for hours on end while the airline constantly struggles to adhere to their departure schedules. Such delays disrupt travel plans, leading to missed connections, rescheduled appointments, and added stress for passengers.
Bad Customer Service: PAL's customer service, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. The lack of prompt and empathetic responses to customer concerns only adds to the frustration already caused by delayed flights. Dealing with unhelpful customer service representatives aggravates the overall travel experience, as their primary duty should be to assist and support their customers.
Mishandled Baggage Incident: One particular incident stands out the mishandling of my baggage with dire consequences. After a three-day delay, my baggage was finally delivered to me by a random man. The fact that my belongings were in the possession of a random man for 24 hours raised serious concerns about the airline's security and integrity.
Lack of Compensation: PAL's failure to compensate me for the inconvenience and distress caused by the baggage delay only adds insult to injury. It is disheartening when an airline neglects to take responsibility for the consequences of its own mistakes, leaving customers feeling undervalued and disregarded.
Outdated Aircraft and Inconvenience: Another disappointment with PAL is the state of their aircraft. Outdated interiors, uncomfortable seating arrangements, and limited entertainment options make long flights a taxing experience. In an era where other airlines prioritize passenger comfort, PAL lags behind in providing modern amenities and convenience.
Comparable Prices to Higher Quality Airlines: Perhaps the most baffling aspect of my experience with PAL is the lack of value for money. Despite charging similar prices to higher quality airlines, PAL fails to deliver a commensurate level of service, comfort, and reliability. This discrepancy further renders their offerings unappealing in comparison to other options in the market.
Based on my personal encounters with Philippine Airlines, I strongly advise against choosing them for long- international flights or any travel where comfort, punctuality, and quality customer service are paramount. PAL's frequent flight delays, unsatisfactory customer service, mishandling of baggage, lack of proper compensation, outdated aircraft, and comparable prices to higher-quality airlines all contribute to a subpar travel experience. Instead, I urge travelers to explore alternatives and avail themselves of better service from other reputable airlines. It is crucial to prioritize a smooth and enjoyable travel experience, particularly during long-distance journeys.
Note: It is essential to highlight that domestic flights with PAL are not discussed in detail in this article and may be a viable option for some travelers.
UPDATE: I received compensation for delayed luggage, it wasn’t easy to get I literally escalated the case to higher mangers and it took weeks to get it. I still don’t recommend the Philippine airlines for international flights especially long distance 6+ hours.