PAL service to China

Philippine Airlines launched a regular service to Chongqing on March 14, the first direct air link between the Philippines and the scenic southwestern part of China . On Tuesday, March 18, a second PAL destination in southwest China will be opened when service to Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, commences.

Both services will operate twice a week. Departures from Manila for Chongqing (PR 356) are every Monday and Friday at 9:55 a.m. Arrival at Jianbei International Airport is at 1:15 p.m.
The return service, PR 357, departs Chongqing on the same days at 2:15 p.m. and arrives in Manila at 5:35 p.m.

For Chengdu, departures from Manila (PR 354) are every Tuesday and Saturday at 9:20 a.m. Arrival at Shuangliu International Airport is at 1:00 p.m. The return flight, PR 355, departs Chengdu on the same days at 2:00 p.m. and touches down in Manila at 5:35 p.m.

New Airbus A320 aircraft, which seat 12 in Bussiness Class and 144 in economy, will be deployed on both routes.

Chongqing and Chengdu are PAL’s fourth and fifth destinations in mainland China. The airline already operates daily services to Shanghai and Xiamen, and a five-times-weekly service to Beijing.

On March 15, 1941, with a single-engine Beech Model 18 aircraft, PAL entered the ailine bussiness, when it completed a flight from Manila to Baguio. That trip made PAL Asia’s first airline. Over the years, PAL has grown to become the country’s national flag carrier and largest airline. It currently operates a fleet of 34 aircraft, including five Boeing 747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s, eight Airbus A330-300s, 13 Airbus A320s and four Airbus A319s.