Philippine Airlines (PAL) has earned the world’s Most Improved Airline for 2019 award, according to the Australia-based airline review firm AirlineRatings.com.
The airline review website noted PAL’s initiatives “to expand its global footprint using new-generation fuel-efficient aircraft equipped with the latest cabins.”
AirlineRatings.com editors emphasized that “Philippine Airlines’ bold expansion plans and its commitment to a next-generation, easy product made it a stand-out for the most improved airline.”
PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista, in a statement, said PAL’s newest global accolade means “the world is taking notice of the continuing transformation of Philippine Airlines.”
“We are once again elated and truly humbled by this latest seal of approval, this time from AirlineRatings.com. I share this honor with my PAL family—a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to maintain and sustain a high quality brand of service that is fueled by the Heart of the Filipino service philosophy,” Bautista said.
“This recognition will inspire the PAL team to further enhance and level up our products and services so that our beloved passengers can enjoy a convenient and comfortable travel experience. I hope it will also inspire Filipinos everywhere to dare to be achievers and strive for excellence in a world of big challenges,” he added.
The ratings body pointed out that “Philippine Airlines has expanded its global footprint by more than 60 percent in recent years with innovative services such as a single-aisle [Airbus] A321neo flight between Manila and Brisbane and an A350-900 trans-polar route to New York.”
It cited PAL’s fleet modernization initiatives that will see the airline receive up to 21 brand-new and state-of-the-art aircraft in 2018 and 2019. The brand-new fleet enables international and domestic route network expansion plans that include forthcoming services to the Japanese city of Sapporo, along with routes to New Delhi and Mumbai in Inidia.
AirlineRatings.com is a leading global authority on airline safety and product ratings with an estimated 25 million visitors from 232 countries, and is widely recognized for its annual Airline Excellence Awards.
PAL said it will continue to focus on the next major goal to enhance its position as the country’s only full-service airline with a global network.
“In this very challenging and competitive airline environment, we renew our determination to keep on improving, so that we can eventually earn the highest Five-Star Certification in the name of our country and our people,” Bautista said.
This is the fourth major global accolade to be received by PAL in 2018 after being certified as a four-star global airline by international rating firm Skytrax, getting the 2nd Most Improved Airline for 2018 Award, also by Skytrax, and nabbing the Four Star Major Regional Airline 2019 award from New-York based Airline Passenger Experience Association.
PAL also earned a 7-Star Safety rating (the highest possible) from AirlineRatings.com last September 30.
