Philippine Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines in code-share deal

Philippine Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines have begun code-share services between Manila and Bandar Seri Begawan, with Royal Brunei as the operating carrier.

PAL is now able to offer seats on Royal Brunei's five-times-weekly flights between the two capitals, giving the Philippine flag carrier a presence in the Brunei market for the first time since June 1998.

"We are pleased to be re-establishing ourselves in Brunei after six years. Through this partnership with Royal Brunei, PAL has an opportunity to be of service to our Filipino compatriots in the sultanate," said Henry So Uy, PAL executive vice president for the commercial group.

For his part, Royal Brunei chief executive officer Peter Foster said: "The public now has greater flexibility when traveling on domestic routes within the Philippines. The code-share agreement also provides travelers a wider choice and added convenience when making flight arrangements."

Flight PR 683 departs Bandar Seri Begawan every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 12:40 p.m. and arrives in Manila at 2:40 p.m. The return flight, PR 684, departs Manila at 3:40 p.m. and arrives in Brunei at 5:40 p.m.

On Sundays, the service operates on an evening time slot, with Flight PR 687 leaving Brunei at 7:10 p.m. and arriving in Manila at 9:10 p.m. Return flight PR 688 departs Manila at 10:10 p.m. and lands in Brunei at 12:10 a.m. early the next day.

These flights are operated using Royal Brunei's Boeing 767 widebody aircraft, configured in a tri-class layout.

Members of Mabuhay Miles, PAL's frequent flyer program, earn mileage credit points when taking these code-shared flights. However, redemption for travel awards can only be done on PAL-operated flights.

Mabuhay Miles Elite and Premier Elite members also enjoy their usual travel benefits, including additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and access to the executive lounges at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Manila and at Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Royal Brunei Airlines is PAL's ninth international code-share partner, after Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, EVA Air (for cargo), Garuda, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Vietnam Airlines.