After a six-year absence from the route, Philippine Airlines has confirmed it will resume non-stop flights between Manila and New Delhi on April 16 this year.
The carrier said earlier this month it was “targeting April 2019” for the resumption of its New Delhi flights, but didn’t offer a precise date. Philippine Airlines last operated flights between Manila and New Delhi from 2011 to 2013.
In a Tweet published Thursday, January 24, on its official Twitter account, Philippine Airlines confirmed the launch date as April 16 for the resumed route, adding that fares for the thrice-weekly service were now available for booking.
Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that the airline’s Tweet mentions that the service will operate just three times per week, rather than the previously announced four weekly flights.
This is because the route’s fourth weekly service, a Saturday/Sunday flight, won’t take off until May 2, the airline’s online schedule shows.
Initially, the service will operate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Manila at 2045 and arriving the following day at 0100. The return flight will depart New Delhi on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0145 and land back in Manila at 1045.
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific previously reported that business class passengers on the revived route are in for a particular treat as they will be able to experience Philippine Airlines’ new fully flat regional business class seat product.
This seat is solely available on the airline’s new Airbus A321neo aircraft, which also flies to Sydney, Brisbane, Port Moresby and Sapporo.
The A321neo’s business class cabin is laid out with 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration angled slightly towards the windows.
The aircraft also has new seat products in its economy class cabin, which is laid out in a 3-3 configuration. Both cabins offer in-seat power and USB outlets, seat-back screens and wifi.
Philippine Airlines is making substantial moves in Asia-Pacific and North America in particular, with new services to Hanoi and Phnom Penh launching on March 31 and April 1, respectively.
Meanwhile an array of routes to destinations in Asia-Pacific and North America – among them Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Sydney and Brisbane – are expected to see frequency boosts during the summer 2019 season.
