Air Philippines Inflight Catering - needs improvement?

Korean Noodle available in Air Philippines Flights

Last March 2011, I flew for the 1st time via Air Philippines from Singapore to Manila. Air Philippines is the more affordable version of Philippine Airlines. You can probably compare it to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, with the former being the premium and expensive version.

Last year, Air Philippines introduced a Singapore-Manila and Singapore-Cebu routes. It has been steadily getting more passengers because of its reasonable pricing, good schedule, free 15 kg baggage check-in and 7 kg hand carry.  Cebu pacific has removed its free baggage allowance of 15 kg and one must purchase check-in baggage if so desire. Another contributing reason why it’s getting more popular is because Air Phil is using Changi Terminal 2 as opposed to Tiger Airways or Cebu pacific that uses the budget terminal. At T2, passengers have more options to shops at the pre-departure or at the arrival area.

Anyways, I wanted to write about Air Philippines last March, however, we lost our camera on a ferry from Boracay to Caticlan. So, the picture I took inside the flight was lost too. I had to wait again for the next opportunity to fly Air Phil. Last week, I flew back to Manila for the weekend and finally re-took the pictures I lost 2 months ago.

Being an airline from the Philippines, I expected it at least to serve Filipino meals.  When it comes to the hot meals, they only have Korean noodles. I have nothing against Korean noodles, but I would at least expect to get some noodles made in the Philippines or flavored noodles such as Batchoy or Sotanghon (Filipino noodle variety). I suggest to Air Phil to incorporate more locally manufactured products to onboard meals and beverages menu.

Cebu pacific on the other hand, serves products manufactured by Universal Robina, which is a company run by the same owners of Cebupac. A great strategy to market its own local produces. If you fly Tiger airways, they serve hot meals popular in Singapore such as beef rendang.

I just wish Air Philippines will improved its inflight catering and serve not just western tidbits and Korean noodles, but serve more Pinoy popular dishes and snacks as well.

To book AirPhil or Cebupac:

http://www.airphils.com/

http://www.cebupacificair.com/