For a change I stepped up one of my flights via Philippine Airlines and it was my first time to book in a significantly expensive business class flight. For once, I would like to experience to fly with a real "very important person treatment". My VIP experience started in the check-in counter when I had the priority check-in amidst of the long queue. It was comfortable without long waiting my turn to off load my luggage. The boarding time was opened at 6:20 PM but I availed my perk to embark on the plane on my preferred time. I passed through a separate entry going to my seat, a friendly cabin crew welcomed me and brought me to the assigned seat for me. A fairly small but cozy and spacious area appeared before me, few seats but comfortable and bigger angled seats with more legroom. Though I was not in my favorite spot via window seat, but I really liked the single seat with aisles on both sides and I felt the privacy on the layout of each seat. I was able to stretch my legs, my feet were wearing soft slippers, and I inclined my seat into bed for a while. A small onboard blue flight amenity kit pouch bag was handed out to the passengers, I did not open mine. Though I did not need the available head set for free, from the beginning I already felt the extra care treatment.
When the cabin crew advised me that the dinner and breafast will be served during the course of 9-hour flight, I took the chance to make food review for an in-flight meals. The first serving was the appetizer at around 1 hour after take-off. For my appetizer I went with Tabbouleh and hummus with lime, lettuce, vine leaves, thinly sliced tomatoes, and mixed nuts on the side. As usual I opted with the fresh orange juice. The flight was from Middle East origin so an Arabian set-up like this was a nice starter. I'd tasted that pungent bitter from crushed parsley and peppery mint in Tabbouleh. Their strong taste is perfect with tangy taste of creamy hummus squeezed with lime. The cheakpeas of hummus balanced the potent tastes. The blanched vine leaves are just ideal to mix with fresh and crunchy lettuce and tomatoes. I cannot say special on it because I am not familiar what are in Middle Eastern foods.
It was a multicourse jeal, the dinner main course was served next. Chicken, beef, and fish were the choices, I chose Beef Roulade for my main course. It was served with asparagus, carrots and potato wedges. I am not a fan of beef but I must say I liked the roasted beef was tenderly done. The sweet-spicy brown souce added a dramatic taste in every spoonful. The asparagus, potato and carrots were saute'ed in olive oil seasoned with peppermint and salt, they were crunchy and good to go their switness with that juicy roasted beef. Honestly I like the meal, though I did not take a shot of wine, it was indeed a nice dinner in the sky.
The breakfast was served after about six hour onboard. For breakfast, I chose omelet. It was served with roasted muchroom, potato and tomatoes. On the side were banana crepe rolls, fruits, and honey. I didn't really like much the omelet; it was kind of moist I think the cheese made it. And I did not eat the mashed banana and mango in yogurt because I don't like the sour savor taste of a fermented milk. But the crepes and fruits salad with sugar syrup were remarkable for me. And yes, a black coffee was next, perfect to balance all those aftertastes and feel relax while enjoying Mabuhay magazine aboard while resting my feet in a spacious leg room and will touch down in few hours more.
I had the time to open the emenity kit at home. There were two toiletries, moisturizer, a comb with brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, sleeping mask, and sock. All in all, I am pleased with PAL treatment experience and as well as their onboard menu. It was simple, light, and balance, and I am simply basic anyway. The perks of flying business class with Philippine Airlines, defenitely it was a pleasant long nine-hour flight. I wish I could fly once more to take again the edge of a pleasant journey.
