May 05, 2016

Economy Class vs Business Class of Philippine Airlines: Domestic Flight

We are budget travelers so we always book an economy class but during our trip to Cebu last week. We had a chance to experience both Economy Class and Business Class.


We wanted to use our Mabuhay Miles to save money but the problem is, there is an additional $34 fee each to book a ticket (Manila to Cebu) and we can only book premium economy and business class. So my husband bought Manila to Cebu Economy Class Ticket and chose Business Class for our Cebu to Manila flight using Mabuhay Miles.

Read: How to Redeem Flight Rewards with Mabuhay Miles 

Manila to Cebu


Park ‘N Fly 


We parked the car at Park ‘N Fly, we used to park the car at the airport because it was only P50 per night but they already increased the rate so my husband chose Park “N Fly.

Read: Advantages and Disadvantages of Parking at Park N Fly 

NAIA 2 

Then we rode the shuttle and off we went to NAIA Terminal 2, it’s been two years since our (my son and I) last travel via plane so I was a little bit worried because of the “Laglag Bala” scam. I even put a binder clip in my bag just to make sure that they cannot put a bullet.


We asked if there is an earlier flight pero nakaalis na daw. If we did not eat lunch, nahabol siguro namin, lol!. So we waited for our 4PM flight, there was a little bit delay in our boarding time but at last, makakalabas na rin ng Luzon.

Economy Class 

My son loves to ride an airplane and he loves sitting in the window seat so I already accepted the fact that I will always sit in the middle seat.


In the Philippines, Philippine Airlines is the only airline that offers free meals but there is nothing special about their free meals so I was surprised when they served the meals. Wow! Hindi na biscuit, level up na sila. If I remember it right, during our Manila to Cagayan de Oro flight,Dewberry cookies, nuts and coffee lang. Sobrang nakakabusog para sa breakfast flight. Lol Anyway, we enjoyed the Chicken Franks Bunwich Sky Treats.


Finally, we landed at Mactan Cebu International Airport. We just took a taxi to reach the hotel.

Cebu to Manila

After few days, we have to say goodbye to Cebu, we took a cab from Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa to Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Business Class 

There is a different line for Economy Class and Business Class tickets so waiting time is not a problem. The staff offered me an earlier flight pero wala daw food, so I declined. Sayang Business Class ko kung wala food. Lol.

Cebu Mabuhay Lounge 

After that we went to Mabuhay Lounge, it was our first time tapos ang nabasa ko agad “No Wifi” today. There is free wifi in the lounge, malas lang wala siya that day. So after getting to our table, we immediately check the free food and drinks available.






My son was asking me, where is daddy? I have to explain to him that his dad has an economy ticket so he is not allowed in the lounge. My husband doesn’t want to upgrade his ticket at sayang daw ang miles.




After few hours of waiting, the staff approached us asking for our boarding passes. Madelay daw kasi flight namin and she will check kung mamove kami sa earlier flight. I gave our ticket but after few minutes kinuha ko ulit, naisip ko baka kami lang mamove ang flight. I informed the staff that I have a companion sa economy flight so maghintay na lang kami.

After few minutes, she approached me again and asked me kung ilan kasama ko sa economy. I said, isa lang. Then she asked for the name and boarding pass. Fortunately, we were able to get a new flight. She gave me our boarding passes and even my husband’s economy ticket.

The staff informed us that we can already board the plane. I was looking for my husband at the boarding gate, I thought nauna na siya. So we were all surprised nung pagpasok niya ng plane. Nandun na kami at iniwan daw namin siya. Lol

We were on the first row 1A and 1C and at that time kami lang sakay ng business class. There are newspapers and blankets on top of our chairs and the flight attendant served welcome drinks, I chose orange juice while my son water. She informed me about the menu (Grilled Tanigue or Pork Belly) and I chose Pork Belly.



So this is Business Class, spell SPACE. We have big front seats and more space. The most exciting part is the food because this time we have hot meals. But since my son doesn’t like to eat the food and busog na siya sa lounge, I asked the flight attendant if she can deliver it to my husband. I gave her the seat number. Thanks!



After eating, the flight attendant gave us hot towels. Then the pilot announced that we were going to descend na. I did not notice the time, kakakain. Lol

NAIA 2 

Upon arrival, we have a different carousel for Business Class and Premium Economy. There is a priority tag in our baggage so we were able to get our baggage ahead of time. My husband called Park ‘N Fly to pick us up. When we were about to leave I saw familiar faces, mga nakasabay namin sa Cebu to Manila flight, kararating lang. There is really an advantage in having a priority tag in your baggage.

Advantages of Business Class Tickets 

1. A special lane for check-in
2. Priority check-in, boarding, and luggage handling
3. Access to Mabuhay Miles Lounge
4. Welcome Drinks
5. Hot Meals
6. Priority Airport Standby

Those are the differences between economy flight and business class. We enjoyed our business class experience and thanks to Mabuhay Miles.

Read: Economy Class vs Business Class of Philippine Airlines: International Flight 
NAIA 2 Mabuhay Lounge 
5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounges

28 comments:

  1. Wow naman ang galing naman nito, it feels so comfortable ano? at busog pa hehhehe.

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  2. Informative post sis, thanks. We haven't traveled via plane, ako palang actually. Hehe. But looking forward to traveling with Daddy A and Matt too.

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    1. Thanks. I'm sure Matt will enjoy the first ride plane. :)

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  3. Indeed spacious and the food differs alot. Havent tried flying business class. Spell kuripot here. But would love to experience it as well, perhaps in the near future when we have more than enough.

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    1. Like you, I'm also kuripot, we just used our miles to avail the business class ticket. :)

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  4. You definitely have a great time by the look of your smiles. Thanks for sharing your experience, Mommy.

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  5. The leg room of business class! ;) Of course it is nicer vs economy class. But for short trips, ok na with us ang economy since sandali ka lang naman sa plane. :)

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    1. True, for shorter trip economy is fine, katatapos mo pa lang kumain padescend na agad plane. =)

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  6. Oh! I love business class especially for trips abroad kasi the seats have more perks aside from the bigger space. :) I haven't tried PAL though. Looks great naman.

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    1. True, there are more perks in business class. I have friends who always avail business class seats, I hope I could experience it too. lol

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  7. So that's the difference! Ang laki ng difference! Hehe! In fairness, the presentation of the food looks great! ;)

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    1. Yes, may lounge, priority tag, hot meals and special attention if delayed ang flight.

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  8. If not for seat sale and economy tickets, I would never be able to even ride a plane, so di ko na pinangarap ang business class! Ang ganda pala dun, taraay! hehe.

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  9. Everytime we booked a flight, we always choose economy class kasi mura. Pero if we have the same chance as yours, I will also choose business class kasi sayang heheh. Never tried PAL yet tho, siguro on our next trip. In fairness bongga nung food ha! Looks delicious too!

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    1. We prefer affordable fare too but if there's a chance, why not di ba? =)

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    2. We prefer affordable fare too but if there's a chance, why not di ba? =)

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  10. I've never flown business class before! Puro lang kami economy class and, more often than not, CebPac. Now I want to fly business class haha

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    1. Hehehe! Kung pwede nga lang lagi business class but of course mahal siya.

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  11. Di ko pa naexperience ang business class. Ganito pala siya. Ang bongga ng service.

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    1. Yes, sulit naman sa bayad kahit mahal kung ganun ang service.

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  12. Oooh. I think I'll save all of our miles to experience this next time! Super worth it and the space is really wide.

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  13. I've tried the business class once going to Cebu for a gig with a band I sessioned for but I don't remember what we ate. It was a long time ago, hehe. Ako rin, natanggap ko na rin that I will never sit by the window. :)

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  14. I'm sure there's a vast difference between the 2 classes. I'd settle for economy though as the important thing is to get to your destination.

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  15. I have been able to try the Mabuhay Lounge. It really is more comfortable to wait for your flight there because of the food and the wifi. I guess, you really get what you pay for.

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  16. If the rate weren't 1.5x or 2x I'd always opt for business class.

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  17. I haven't tried business class yet because we don't travel by airline much. Thanks for your post, now I have an idea on the things to expect on this kind of flight.

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