Philippine Airlines has set new standards for flights between Manila and Australia with the debut of its brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft serving Sydney and Melbourne.

Philippine AIrlines’ new Boeing 777-300ER

The 777 touched down in both cities for the first time on Saturday (Feb 20), bringing new levels of comfort and service, including full-flat beds in business class, the first available on direct flights between Manila and Australia.

The new aircraft is larger, more spacious and more efficient than previous aircraft on the Australian routes.  It offers wider seats, wider aisles, more headroom and seat-back video on demand throughout all cabins.

Its introduction comes as Philippine Airlines prepares to launch new services to Queensland, with twice-weekly A330 flights from Manila to Brisbane to start from March 18.

The new aircraft and services are part of a strategic expansion in the Australian markets, backed by new low fares and new partnerships with key Australian wholesalers, designed to offer value packages for leisure travellers and the MICE market and further develop tourism to the Philippines.

The new 777 is configured with 370 seats in two classes, with 42 seats in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy). It has been fitted in contemporary style throughout, with custom fabrics in a coastal theme of blues reflecting the seascape of the Philippine archipelago.

Mabuhay Class offers fully adjustable seating with a 20-inch seat width, a 78-inch seat pitch and a full-flat reclining position at 15 degrees.  Fiesta seating is an industry–leading 18.5 inches wide, with 33-34 inch pitch.

The state-of-the-art Panasonic in-flight entertainment system offers audio and video on demand, with up to 19 full-length movies, six short films, 50 CD selections, 12 audio program channels and eight games.  Business class passengers can plug in USB devices to listen to MP3 players or view photographs and PDF files.

A new schedule coinciding with the introduction of Brisbane services will see the 777 fly five times a week from Sydney to Manila and three times a week from Melbourne, in addition to another two Melbourne services each week aboard an Airbus A330.

Economy fares are available from $901 return from Sydney, $883 from Melbourne and $1019 return from Brisbane.