08 September 2009

Island Hopping with Philippine Airplanes

Travelling nowadays gets easier especially since airfares are much more affordable. When I went home last month, I boarded PR flight to Iloilo. I did not pay for my PR flight since our company shouldered the expenses. Though PRs rate is comparably higher than 5J and 2P, they also have a promo fare called ‘EconoLight’ where a passenger will not be given any snacks, not even WATER!.

After staying several days in Iloilo, I went to Davao via Cebu through 5J flight. They are using a very small ATR plane for this leg. It’s the first time I boarded that kind of plane. It’s like going to Bora with Asian Spirits’ planes. The only consolation you’ll get is that the Captain is American. While flying with 5Js ATR plane I overheard ladies speaking in karay-a. They were joking that when you fly with Asian Spirit you’re alive but when you land, you’re only a spirit.

As for 5J, all their fare is promo especially if you bought your tickets online. They are very strict when it comes to carry on baggage. You have to go through weigh in with your carry on baggage before you are allowed to board. I forgot to ask what they are going to do if the passenger is morbidly obese. My hunch is that they are going to charge the obese passenger more.

The drawback with these low fare promos of the country’s airline sector is that they don’t give snacks. PR gives peanut and a biscuit for regular fare passengers only. 5J will not give you anything so you have to prepare and buy your own snacks in advance. They are however selling their snack items on board.

It’s nice to hop from city to city. You’ll meet different kinds of Pinoy, the real Pinoy ika nga. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the upgraded airports and infrastructure in our country. Lastly, you’ll be able to visit your family and that’s the most important part of travelling.

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