Melo Villareal
I was in Ilo-ilo when I got an invitation to join PAL’s Toronto inaugural flight. At first, I still cant believe I will be traveling to Canada this year since visiting North America is really out of the picture obviously due to budget constraints.
Philippine Airlines Boeing B777
After almost 15 hours of non-stop flight, we finally arrived at the Torontos Pearson International Airport and together with some members of the press, travel agents, bloggers and airline officials, we attended the welcome ceremony hosted by the local airport authority.
Philippine Airlines, the Philippine Flag carrier and Asia’s first airline has begun its debut flight between Manila and Toronto last November 30, 2012. Toronto is one of the largest cities and metropolis in Canada and this newest route is the first between East Coast of North America over the last 15 years.
Bloggers (from L-R) Ivan Henares, Nina Fuentes, Jojo Ayson, Winston Almendras and Me at Terminal 2’s Mabuhay Lounge
The new service has resulted in a significant revamp in PAL’s Canadian Operations. Starting November 30, 2012 onwards the existing daily service between Manila and Vancouver, British Columbia located on the West Coast of Canada has been reduced to four times a week.
PAL’s Inflight Entertainment (notice the USB and LAN port)
The new Manila-Toronto non-stop will be operating three times weekly every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3pm. The flight would arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport on 5pm the same day but obviously taking timezones into account, it is definitely not a 2 hour flight!.
PAL’s Impressive inflight food
The return flight (PR119) would depart from Toronto every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7.35pm in the evening. However the return flight will have a one-stop service through Vancouver at 9.30pm and the flight will then depart from Vancouver at 11.30pm and will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in the morning at 5.45 am which is roughly around two calendar days later.
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Philippine Airlines has deployed a brand new long range Boeing 777-300ER that can accommodate 42 passengers in the business class and 328 passengers on board economy class. The new flight offers a 14.5-hour non-stop flight to Toronto. The distance between Manila and Toronto is 13,230 kilometers and the new jet is especially designed for covering those long haul flights. The aeroplane has two GE 90-115BL engines which are known to be the largest and powerful ever built so far.
Cultural Dance performed by local Pinoy Community
The in-flight service is comprised of plush Recaro seats and a complete digital entertainment system with audio-video on-demand capability. With the new Boeing B777, the remote control is now located underneath the screen and you can now utilize USB ports to charge your gadgets onboard. You can choose to watch your favorite TV shows, Movies or listen to your favorite music while onboard. Gourmet cuisine offered for dinner, snacks and breakfast served during the inaugural flight were all impressive.
PAL and Toronto Pearson Airport Executives
In an earlier interview, Philippine Airlines President Ramon S. Ang stated that the new service was introduced as part of the growing demand by the Filipino community in Canada who requested beginning PAL services in their part of the country. He also stated Toronto with its diverse population and booming economy is one among world’s top financial centers.
4.1% of the total population in Toronto are Filipinos and Toronto has become PAL’s 27th international destination and 46th destination overall.
Mr.Ang also proudly said, “Toronto is just the first step in our long-range network expansion that will see PAL fly back to the US, East Coast and to Europe.” Philippine Airlines first flew to Vancouver city in Canada almost 16 years ago during September 1996. PAL is making new history with its debut flight to Toronto this time.
This Toronto inaugural flight experience was sponsored by Philippine Airlines. Visit their facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/flyPAL) or Twitter (https://twitter.com/flyPAL) if you want to know more about their flight schedules and Airline updates.
