#FLYPAL: Philippine Airline certified as a 4-Star Airline

Woke up as early as 7am (which is very unusual for me haha) to prepare for a commute to Makati. I kinda dread early morning commute because of the bad Manila rush hour traffic jam, but this morning is a special one as it is a celebration for a much coveted SKYTRAX 4-star rating media announcement of the Philippine’s national airline.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been Certified with the 4-Star Airline quality ranking by SKYTRAX, the international air transport rating organization. The first and only star-rated airline in the country.  This announcement is also very timely as the Philippine’s flag carrier is celebrating its 77^th Anniversary.

[caption id="attachment_5647" align="alignnone" width="800"] #FLYPAL4STARS[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5643" align="alignnone" width="800"] With Travel and Lifestyle Influencers who were invited to celebrate with Philippine Airline's 4-star rating. Photo c/o @yogoandcream[/caption]

Held at Makati Shangri La Manila, along with other travel and lifestyle influencers, I was invited to witness this momentous event. Because I left home early, even with the traffic jam, I arrived just in time. YEY! I got seated at the VIP table which was at first very awkward. Seating with the VP for Engineering and the VP for Inflight Services made me put a little extra finesse (knife, fork and table napkin kind of table haha). My friend Maddie from Blogapalooza even whispered, “hala bawal maging jologs sa table natin”. Hahaha.

[caption id="attachment_5642" align="alignnone" width="800"] Finally met these two. @ vernenciso and @verniecenciso[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5644" align="alignnone" width="800"] With Me-An of @yogoandcream, Zandy and Maddie of @blogapalooza and PAL's very own @jedmenes. photo c/o @yogoandcream[/caption]

The celebration started by showing us a video of the whole journey on how Philippine Airlines acquired this accreditation. Whew, I didn’t know that it took a lot of effort and years to get these stars.

“Our Get That Star journey began in 2016. Our efforts over the last two years have borne fruit. Since 2016, we have embarked on a journey of rolling out in-flight and on-ground innovations, opened new routes, increased connectivity across PAL’s route network, added new aircraft to our fleet and importantly, invested in the Buong Pusong Alaga ( whole-hearted) training of all our cabin crew, ground crew and service providers domestically and internationally in order to enhance the passenger travel experience and earn a higher Skytrax rating,” - PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista

[caption id="attachment_5648" align="alignnone" width="1111"] PAL’s 4-STAR CERTIFICATION. Philippine Airlines (PAL) today (Feb. 13, 2018) presented to media the 4-Star Certification plaque awarded by Skytrax last Feb. 8 in Singapore and the detailed plans for 2018 in order to sustain the 4-Star rating. Photo shows PAL Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lucio C. Tan (2nd from left) and PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista (3rd from right) holding the plaque, flanked by (from left) PAL Express President Bonifacio U. Sam, PAL Executive Vice President Stewart C. Lim and PAL Chief Customer Experience Officer Jessica Abaya.[/caption]

As the Philippine’s flag carrier, I can’t help but be proud that we can now say that our country’s very own Philippine Airlines is now at par with some of the world’s best airlines. This 4-Star Airline rating is a mark of quality distinction that recognizes excellent standards of Product and Staff service across different assessment categories for both the Onboard and Airport environment, with Philippine Airlines noted for providing much improved standards of product and service quality to its customers.

[caption id="attachment_5646" align="alignnone" width="800"] Congratulations PAL![/caption]

Early last year, I was able to experience a little tour around PAL’s new tri-class A330. It looks amazing. I love the interior details, from its wallpaper patterns and fabrics used (aside from that I am a color blue-fan bias). I can’t wait to fly in one on my way to Honolulu (wink wink). Read more about 

[caption id="attachment_5641" align="alignnone" width="800"] Early 2017,I tried out PAL's new A330[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5640" align="alignnone" width="800"] Loving the details[/caption]

With its new 4-star ratings, I am excited on what new experiences and services Philippine Airline’s will be rolling out this year and the years to come.

“This is a big win for the Philippines,” said PAL Chairman & CEO Dr. Lucio C. Tan. “We are elated by this recognition which is a victory for the more than seven thousand members of the Philippine Airlines family. Our achievement is the country’s achievement and we share this with all Filipinos around the globe.”

 CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN AND HAPPY 77^TH ANNIVERSARY PHILIPPINE AIRLINES