Philippine Airlines

It is more than a black eye for the Philippines flag carrier with so many negative reviews. Not only the experience of the flying public makes it worst but also the non-competitive price of their air fares. How could people patronize such poor customer service, high fares, cumbersome procedures, and old aircraft (and/or poorly maintained aircraft) ? Of course, no way Jose because there are other airlines that are cheaper, with good customer service, and have well maintained (if not newer) aircraft. Are the top management of PAL deaf to the complaining passengers? Are they so ignorant of the so many negative reviews? It is no wonder people prefer to fly with other airlines than PAL! And that is more than black eye to PAL and the Philippines!

And this is my honest and unbiased opinion!

This airline is made up entirely of incompetent employees at all levels of support. You trust them to answer your questions about the booking, and then before the flight it turns out that "there was an error, we could not tell you. " They can neither send an official letter with a response, nor say the application number for a complaint or request. A month before departure, I called several times and clarified information on transporting animals on a specific flight - they confirmed the transportation of the animal and told me how to proceed (send them documents for exporting the animal three days before departure). I bought a ticket and three days before departure, I sent them all the documents and called to find out the status of the reservation. Support told me in surprise, why did I get the idea that you can fly with an animal. I talked with support all evening, they even listened to my calls to them, before buying a ticket, and confirmed that yes, it was their mistake, and that it was really impossible to bring an animal. And why another employee said so, they don’t know. They don’t help with a full refund, they refer to the fact that it was my mistake. When asked to listen to those calls, they answer that they suddenly cannot do this, and they cannot send the recordings to me either. Lost time, money, nerves and strength. The most terrible airline, it’s even good that it didn’t fly, maybe it wouldn’t have flown at all.

Flight is always canceled and canceled again. Making it more expensive missing connecting flights. Booking hotel and rebooking connecting flights very poor service.

My experience with Philippine Airline was not a good experience. There is nothing less than one star, so this will have to do. We paid a high price for our ONE WAY ticket from Toronto to Maila, a 16 hour flight became 19 hour flight because they stopped in Vancouver to up and change crew'. Makes no sense. The plane was dirty, the movie selection was horrible. And they do not clean the bathroom throughout our 19 hour flight. When we left, we checked in online JUST to stand in a long line up to check in agsin. Food stales are dirty, old and mismanaged. They do not clean their tables, ordering food can take over half and hour (thars judt coffee). We bought souvenirs, they took our small snow globe for our kids as there was another checking point. Ppl who bought drinks for their flight had to stand there and dri k it or throw it out. They made us sit in an area with NOT enough seating, no washrooms and no one is able to have any type of drinks for hours. We were supposed to leave at 4, plane was delayed for 15 mins. At 410pm, they announced the plane JUST arrived. That means we are delayed again to board our flight. This airline is disorganized. Will never fly Philippine Airline again. No wonder our filipina friend doesn't fly this Airline. Do better, people spent good money to fly your airline. You may go bankruptcy agsin if you do not change.

The absolute worst airline I’ve ever dealt with! They cancelled my flight and from Hong Kong to Melbourne (with stopover) and I had to search for new ones, knowing that during these dates all flights are completely full (still haven’t found a flight). Tried talking to the customer service, however each person I spoke to gave me different information (no one ever gave me the same answer). I have no idea where they get their information from but it was a complete different information each customer service representative was giving me.
E.g.
1) I’ve been told there are flights on 15/02 but another customer service representative told me there aren’t any flights in that day.
2) I’ve been told that there aren’t anymore flights on 13/02 from Hong Kong to Manila that’ll catch my next connection flight. But another customer service representative told me there are actually flights I can take.

WHAT DO I BELIEVE IF WHAT COMES OUT THEIR MOUTHS ISN’T EVEN THE SAME?

One customer service representative lied about their name and when telling the airline, who helped me, they told me that no one by that name even worked there. This airline is extremely unorganised and pathetic. They are completely clueless and don’t know how to do their job.
In addition, due to the cancellation my friend had to cancel her flight because there aren’t any other flights she could get on. Now she will be scrapping her ENTIRE holiday plan just because of this clueless airline. How ridiculous can an airline be?
Instead of trying to fix the issue, the customer service likes to blame other third parties, absolutely pathetic!

This airline needs serious help and I have no idea how this airline is still running.

Your call center customer support is the worst i've ever encountered!

The woman who's taken my call was VERY rude and was not helpful at all!

First of all, I keep on receiving emails for months continuously regarding our booking that there was a change and we have an option to reschedule it but upon clicking the change flight link on the email there was a never ending error and showed that we need to call support. Upon calling, I was told that our flight was NOT AT ALL ELIGIBLE for any changes since the aircraft was the only difference. Well ok, BUT why does Philippine Airlines keep spamming customers with this type of email when change is not really allowed? I asked the agent but she rudely replied to me that "wala akong magagawa jan, ibang department yan" So then I asked her how could I contact the department in charge to not fool customers anymore in sending the change flight emails but she just stopped me and said something like "Mag antay ka nag sasalita pa ko". Crazy expensive tickets but horrible customer service! Is this what PAL really is?

This is the worst airline that I have ever been with. Never in my life for a transfer luggage, I have to identify my own luggage from hundreds of luggage which was a mess and then my wrapping bag had to be torn just to do a quick look. What is X-ray machine for? There is no system where to queue for transit passengers.

Some passengers also could sneak out to have cigarettes, you just need to pay a few SGD. A total mess!

8/26/2022 Philippine Air Manilla to Los Angeles was a horrible experience.

Arrived in Manila from Bangkok on time and was bussed to Terminal 2 where they checked passports and boarding passes before we could proceed to the gate. At that tile we had never left the secured airport areas but were told to go thru another security checkpoint anyhow. After this we were taken to a room where our checked bags were brought into a room and we had to identify them from large stacks of luggage and have them rescreened. This room was small extremely overcrowded and dirty but our baggage got another sticker and was sent on its way. After this we were taken to the 3rd floor and sent through another security check and dropped in the terminal. Here we were able to eat at their disgusting Cafe and buy drinks and waters. Our gate changed from gate 2 to gate six and we had to go thru another TSA type security check for the 4th time at this airport all while remaining within the secured areas. Each time we were told to discard our drink and dispose of our brand new water bottles we had just purchased within their terminal. We reoped off at the gate and not permitted to leave for restrooms or drinks unless we agreed to go through an additional inspection, keep in mind this all while remaining within the already secured area. Our flight was delayed several hours and still not allowed to leave the roped off area. Once we were permitted to board the plane was hot and the air conditioner was off. We immediately used the airplane bathrooms as had been wiutou them for several hours and they were very dirty already even at boarding stage. Were told air would be turned on once we were at cruise altitude. After about 30 minutes we took off and the air was turned on shortly after. Everyone was hot and sweaty and plane was very gross. Once underway and settled we spoke to the attendant and explained to her that due to their delays we would have very little time to make our connection, we asked to be escorted off the plane once it landed so we could get to our next flight on time and we're told no. We spoke to two other flight attendant explaining to them our situation and were told they could do nothing for us. We asked to speak to the flight attendant commander Roselynn and once again asked her to let us off the plane first and she agreed. Once landed we tried to exit first and were yelled at to sit down and return to our seats. Once off my wife and family went through customs and I went to baggage claim where I waited for 60 minutes for our bags. At this point we missed out connecting flight and Philippine Air once again refused to help.

They are the worst we have dealt with and will never book any flights with them again.

My flights from Hanoi to Cebu and back got delayed so many times. Emailed them to request for a certificate of boarding and they asked me to pay $4 for it. I made requests like this with other airlines and they didn't ask a cent. Such a horrendous experience! Don't fly with PAL!

Terrible airline. I ended up giving away 24,512 pesos just because they wouldn't extend my travel voucher which I am not informed that there's an extension limit and expiration date. I asked for it to be transferred at least to my friend which is in the Philippines so he can use for domestic flight but they just apologize as usual and said that it's not possible. Terrible experience and I will never use this airline again. It doesn't even deserve a 1 star.

Not my first flight with PAL and won’t be my last. From SFO to Manila all they did was there best to make our trip as pleasurable as possible. Pilots are top notch and make the trip as smooth as they can.

Well, the flag carrier delivers well specially for the welfare of all overseas filipino workers from the middle east.job well done.

Philippine air line is so bad. I just watch a customer walk through a restricted area and the employee did nothing. She informed her co worker's by point him out, and I witness the whole event! Then they look at me, and I said yes he breach the restricted area! And then the spreed out and garded the boundaries, "they stop talking to each other" but they did not confront the customer! We went through 3 inspection to get to the gate! And they did nothing to this customer. I feel unsafe!

Too bad, they are the country’s flag carrier but overall they don’t show the true Filipino hospitality. I have flown several times MNL-BKK-MNL, the planes don’t have entertainment service at all. Even the last flight just a week ago, KUL- MNL don’t have also. Just imagine, more than 4 hours flight? And the worse, they don’t accept credit card payment of excess baggages at checkin counter in Thailand and Malaysia, only cash. Although, the cabin crew is well trained, hospitable, courteous and helpful. The passengers deserve more than that. That is why I prefer to fly with Thai, Singapore and even Vietnam airlines is way better than them.

The worst, do not trust them, I have been trying to contact you but there’s no one help me even your hotline, I tried to send many request to change the flight time or to have my money back, You airlines you need to do something I didn’t get this money from the dumb it is my working hours in the office

No flight entertaintment. Consider that my flight is an international flight. I bought my ticket for 169$ for one way ticket going to SG.

My partner and I have tried different airline companies whether domestic or international. To be honest, Philippine Airlines is the only one that was able to give me comfort and peace of mind whenever we visit our other branches or just simply travel for a vacation. All crew are very nice and accommodating. Less delayed flights compared to the other Airline Company.

Horrible service. For OFWs, they make it impossible for you to claim travel tax refund by requesting for multiple documents while other airlines only require OEC. On top of that they have rude rude rude employees. If you are reading this, stay away from this airline! You wont get your moneys worth on this garbage airline.

Flights are almost always delayed.

There are never any announcements made to update you on the status of your delayed flight especially out of Manila Int Airport.

I’ve seen a consistent pattern of tickets for non Filipinos being upgraded to business class especially when a situation such a a delayed flight comes up with no consideration for anyone else including the elderly.

They always seem to run out of certain meals especially on the long haul flights from Canada and the USA. My last meal tasted like it came from a Swanson microwave dinner tray.

I would much rather take JAL or Cathay Pacific in the future. This review comes from someone who has flown both in business and economy with this airline.

The single worst airline in the world. Inconsiderate, inconsistent, poorly trained staff. Went online to lodge feedback, that didn't work either! Why skytrax has pity on them to give them 4 star.