Can’t get a Qantas business class seat on points? Try this airline instead

The airline: Philippine AirlinesRoute Melbourne to Manila, flight PR210Frequency Three to five return flights per week (varies by season)Aircraft Airbus A330-300Class Business class, seat 1A (window and aisle)Flight time Eight hours, 25 minutes (we depart two minutes early and arrive 21 minutes early, although my onward Philippine Airlines connection departs four hours late)A Philippine Airlines Airbus A330 on approach to Manila.iStockChecking inI brace for a busy Friday morning but check-in is quiet, calm and efficient. I barely say “hello” and my bag is already tagged and on its way. Security and passport control are swift and I’m straight into the Marhaba Lounge (shared by several airlines), but after discovering an absence of barista-made coffee, I venture elsewhere. Boarding is delayed by 20 minutes, but we ultimately depart early.Loyalty schemeSign up for the Traveller newsletterThe latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.Mabuhay Miles is the scheme. Philippine Airlines launched a frequent flyer agreement with Qantas in May, and will join the Oneworld alliance in 2027, making it a full Qantas partner. In the interim, you can spend Qantas points with Philippine Airlines but can’t yet earn them. Fly business class to Manila for 90,000 Qantas points plus $327, or from Melbourne to Toronto via Manila for 182,900 Qantas points plus $392.25: that’s my plan for the day. Philippine Airlines is currently very generous with Classic Reward availability, with business class seats bookable on almost 500 Philippine Airlines flights from Australia over the coming year at the time of writing.BaggageBring 40 kilograms of checked baggage (32-kilogram limit per bag), or 50 kilograms for Mabuhay Miles Elite, 70 kilograms for Premier Elite and 80 kilograms for Million Milers. If you’re connecting to North America, the allowance from Australia becomes two 32-kilogram bags, three bags for Premier Elite and four for Million Miler. Carry-on is one seven-kilogram bag plus one personal item (like a laptop bag or handbag) and one small musical instrument … preferably kept in its case.The seatThe business class seat has the same basic design as Qantas’ business class.Chris ChamberlinA mattress topper, blanket and pillow make for a comfortable afternoon nap.Chris ChamberlinThis seat looks familiar to Qantas’ long-haul business class because it’s customised from the same Thompson VantageXL platform. The staggered 1-2-1 layout gives everybody direct aisle access, so I’m not fussed when I’m reassigned from 4A to 1A during boarding, to let a couple sit near each other. There’s ample storage, a massage feature and adjustable lighting. A mattress topper, blanket and pillow make for a comfortable afternoon nap. One toilet amply serves 18 passengers.Entertainment + techPhilippine Airlines hasn’t skimped on content with a reasonable range of Hollywood flicks on the 18.5-inch (47-centimetre) screen. I peruse the obscurer offerings and watch La Cocina (highly recommended), a subtitled Spanish language movie first shown at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. The over-ear headphones are OK, but I revert to my own for better sound quality. There’s one international AC outlet plus one USB-A port per passenger. Wi-Fi is absent.ServiceAttentive, but not intrusive. One flight attendant appears delighted with my willingness to try the Filipino food and drinks – apparently, the Western choices are more popular. Call bells are redundant as crew make it easy to catch their eye.FoodBreakfast in business class.Chris ChamberlinAfter a grapefruit juice during boarding, breakfast kicks things off. I select chicken adobo – the Filipino option – served with garlic rice, eggplant torta, tomatoes and scrambled eggs (alternatives are Cantonese pork or corned beef hash). Espresso drinks are unavailable so brewed coffee keeps me going, complementing the yoghurt and fruit. Lunch begins with a near-identical fruit plate, curiously with the items arranged in a different order to mask the symmetry. I opt for roasted chicken breast with smoked salmon flakes, served with a celeriac salad, mesclun, roasted red capsicum and cream cheese (alternatively, it’s a roast beef sandwich). I’m later tempted by the colourful Cebu Sunrise cocktail, blending orange juice with Filipino Tanduay Superior rum.SustainabilityPhilippine Airlines transitioned its offices to renewable energy as part of targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is investing in new aircraft like the Airbus A350-1000 to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.*One more thingFlying one-stop through Manila is a surprisingly practical way to reach New York and Toronto from Australia, especially using Qantas points. It will become even more rewarding for Qantas members once Philippine Airlines joins Oneworld.The priceFrom about $3500 return from Melbourne to Manila for business class.**The verdictWhile I could do with a latte in the lounge and in the air, the seat is comfortable, the service is friendly and the food is reasonable. I’d happily fly with Philippine Airlines again – especially once its full Qantas partnership takes shape.Our rating out of five★★★★The writer travelled at his own expense.*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.More:Airline reviewsQantasAir travelAviationPhilippinesMelbourne-based journalist and columnist Chris Chamberlin enjoys maximising his points to travel the world in comfort and, as a points coach, helping others to do the same. From showering on a plane to stretching out in a double bed in the sky, Chris knows all the tips for flying in style without breaking the bank. His adventures have taken him on almost 1000 flights aboard more than 80 airlines, earning lifetime frequent flyer status along the way. Follow him on Instagram @chris_chamberlin.Connect via email.From our partners