PAL set to launch Toronto, Manila service

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch a new service between Manila and Toronto on Nov. 30, giving the carrier a direct link to Canada’s largest city and its first gateway on the East Coast of North America in 15 years. “We are always keen on developing new markets and Toronto, with its diverse population, booming economy and status as one of the world’s top financial centres, presents us a major opportunity to do so,”said PAL president Ramon S. Ang. The new service will trigger a revamp of PAL’s Canadian operation. From Nov. 30, the current daily service between Manila and Vancouver will be revised to four times weekly from Manila to Vancouver alternating with a three-times-weekly non-stop from Manila to Toronto. On the return journey, Vancouver-Manila will have a dedicated product four times weekly along with a shared service from Toronto three times weekly. Toronto-Manila, therefore, will be a one-stop service via Vancouver. The Toronto service (PR 118) departs Manila every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Arrival at Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport is at 5 p.m. on the same days. The return flight (PR 119) departs Toronto every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:35 p.m., stopping in Vancouver at 9:30 p.m. The service continues on to Manila at 11:30 p.m. and arrives at Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:45 a.m. two calendar days later. PAL will field its new, long-range flagship, the Boeing 777-300ER, which seats 42 in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy), on the 17-hour, non-stop flight to Toronto. (http://www1.philippineairlines.com)