The global ranking of PAL was a leap of 34 notches from a rank of 83rd just two years ago, and 18 notches from its 2017 ranking at 67th.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is now ranked 49th in world airline standings and second most improved airline in the world for 2018, world airline and airport rating agency Skytrax said.
The global ranking of PAL was a leap of 34 notches from a rank of 83rd just two years ago, and 18 notches from its 2017 ranking at 67th.
Newly certified as a full-fledged 4-Star Global Airline five months ago, PAL was voted into the top 50 in the recent survey involving 20 million passengers, 100 nationalities and 335 airlines carried out by Skytrax.
“I am overwhelmed with pride and joy. This latest win shows how far we have come in working to transform our airline, and this victory is especially sweet because it reflects the votes of our beloved customers. We are honored to be recognized by millions of passengers, and we renew our commitment to keep on serving them better from the caring heart of the Filipino,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.
PAL recently took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
“The 4-Star award, Top 49 ranking, and the 2nd Most Improved Airline vote challenge us to keep up the progress, and our hi-tech new A350s and A321neos mark our determination to hit full 5-Star status by the end of 2020,” Bautista said.
PAL is in the midst of a route network expansion and fleet modernization. It plans to begin flights this year to secondary cities in China, which may include Nanning, Haikou, Hangzhou and Chengdu, “where tourists rent planes to go to the island resorts of Boracay, Palawan and Cebu,” Bautista said.
The carrier’s purchase of Airbus A321neos has enabled the expanded plan for China, as smaller and more efficient planes allow the airline to cover more destinations without sacrificing capacity.
Aside from China, PAL also launched direct flights from Manila to Brisbane, Australia, and will begin a route to Sapporo, Japan, following the delivery of the first two of six Airbus A321neos this year.