Flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced that it has resumed on Thursday its flight operations to and from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after a three-year absence.
“The resumption of PAL flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur will help foster economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Malaysia. Most importantly, it addresses the clamor for a direct service between the two capital cities,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista in a statement.
Malaysia, where close to 800,000 overseas Filipino workers are employed, is a profit center in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region, providing a favorable investment climate to individuals and organizations.
With investment opportunities in Malaysia's service and manufacturing sectors, the PAL route will provide direct access to new business opportunities.
“Through PAL flights and code-share partners, we can carry passenger traffic from Kuala Lumpur to China, Japan, South Pacific and North America and thus enhance our Asean network,” said Bautista.
“As the airport operator, we are always committed towards building a strong relationship with our partner airlines to support its growth, not only in Malaysia but globally. Our mission here at Malaysia Airports is to create joyful experiences for all our stakeholders. Therefore, we will ensure that Philippine Airlines operations will receive Malaysia Airports’ fullest support for any airport facilities and services needed at the terminal,” said Malaysia Airports senior general manager Zainol Mohd Isa.
The resumption of flight service to Kuala Lumpur came after PAL and Malaysia Airlines expanded their code-share arrangement which include code-sharing on 12 domestic Malaysian destinations and nine domestic Philippine destinations.
The points are: Malaysia—Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan (Sabah), Langkawi, Miri (Sarawak), Penang, Sibu (Sarawak), Tawau (Sabah).
Philippines—Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan.
The PAL management said that passengers may book on Business Class or Economy Class to any of these destinations. Lounge access is also available to Business Class passengers. It added that current frequent flyer baggage benefits of Mabuhay Miles and Enrich members are also extended.
Code-share passengers traveling between terminals in Manila can avail of PAL’s free transfer services.
Passengers can choose from any of the daily Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight timings: PR 525 departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:25 a.m. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 11 a.m. local time; the return flight—PR526—leaves Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 12:10 p.m. local time, and touches down in Manila at 3:50 p.m.
PR 527 leaves Manila on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. local time; the return service—PR528—departs Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 4 p.m. local time and touches down in Manila at 7:30 p.m.
PAL is deploying the Airbus A321 on the route. The 199-seater aircraft has 12 seats in business class, 18 in premium economy and 169 in regular economy.
Wireless inflight entertainment can be enjoyed while flying onboard the A321 by downloading the myPAL Player app for free. This will allow passengers to stream movies, TV shows and music from their personal electronic devices. Passengers also have meal options—Asian, Western or Halal meals. Generous free baggage allowance form part of the flight offerings.
The PAL service enables travelers from KL to enjoy Manila for several days and connect to any of PAL's 28 domestic and 42 international destinations.