Philippine Airlines (PAL) began life with a noble mission: to serve as a partner in nation-building. With this in mind, PAL took to the skies on 15 March 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.

PAL Through the Years

Since then, PAL deeply involved itself in shaping the course of historic events. With its every takeoff and touchdown, PAL planted the seed of growth.

PAL has become one of the most respected airlines around the world with a young and modern fleet of aircraft and a route network that spans 31 foreign cities and 21 domestic points.

Service Excellence

PAL's excellent service has won the hearts of travelers worldwide. This trademark has distinguished it from the pack and has stood guard in an environment that has grown more competitive by the day.

But PAL does not sit on its laurels. Realizing that it owes its success to its loyal passengers, PAL launched a campaign called "Call for excellence" to serve its market better.

Embracing E-business

PAL began embracing electronic commerce with the introduction of its Online Booking service that accepts ticket purchases and credit card payments for all flights. A new, improved website was also launched to serve the customers' needs more quickly and efficiently.

A Promising Future

The future for PAL has never been more promising. Its more than six decades of service has given the airline a greater sense of purpose, a rising pride in its product and a confidence born out of having survived probably the worst.

These will surely win the battles ahead for PAL.

MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF PAL

February 1941: Philippine Airlines is founded by a group of businessmen led by Andres Soriano, one of the country's leading industrialists.

March 1941: PAL starts operations with a single Beech Model 18 aircraft making one flight daily between Manila and Baguio.

September 1941: Government invests in PAL, paving the way for the airline's nationalization.

February 1946: PAL resumes post-World War II operations with services to 15 domestic points. Its fleet consisted of five Douglas DC-3s.

July 1946: A chartered DC-4 ferries 40 American servicemen from Manila to Oakland, California, making PAL the first Asian airline to cross the Pacific.

December 1946: PAL starts regular service between Manila and San Francisco.

May 1947: PAL opens a route to Europe with the acquisition of DC-4s.

April 1953: PAL starts services to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei using Convair 340s.

June 1962: PAL enters the jet age with the introduction of DC-8 jetliners.

January 1965: Government relinquishes control of PAL. Benigno Toda, Jr., board chairman since 1962, acquires majority stake in the airline.

May 1966: Twin-engine BAC1-11 services to Cebu, Bacolod and Davao commence.

July 1974: PAL advances into the widebody era with the acquisition of its first DC-10.

November 1977: Government reassumes control of PAL with the Government Service Insurance System holding majority shares.

July 1979: Boeing 727 trijet joins the PAL fleet.

December 1979: PAL’s first super-widebody Boeing 747-200 arrives.

December 1979: The “Love Bus,” PAL’s first Airbus A300-B4, goes into service on a flight to Singapore.

November 1982: PAL commences flights to Paris from Manila via Zurich.

May 1987: PAL launches a massive modernization of its domestic operations. The Shorts SD360 turboprop joins the domestic fleet.

August 1988: PAL acquires the Fokker 50 turboprop.

August 1989: The Boeing 737-300 jet joins the PAL fleet.

January 1992: Government privatizes PAL. Local consortium PR Holdings acquires a 67% stake.

March 1993: Resolution of a representation issue with PR Holdings results in the election of former Secretary of Agriculture Carlos G. Dominguez as PAL president.

November 1993: PAL’s first B747-400, carrying President Fidel V. Ramos home from a state visit to the US, touches down at Subic International Airport.

January 1995: Lucio C. Tan, majority stockholder of PR Holdings, becomes Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

May 1997: PAL’s first A340-300 rolls out of the European manufacturer’s facility in Toulouse, France.

October 1999: PAL consolidates its domestic and international operations in one hub for the first time in its history, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal 2.

March 2000: PAL declares a net income of P44.2 million for the fiscal year 1999-2000, its first year under rehabilitation. The result snaps six straight years of massive net losses and produces one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Philippine business.

July 2000: PAL and Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) sign two landmark agreements transferring ownership of PAL’s maintenance and engineering unit to LTP, while ensuring that the flag carrier’s long-term maintenance needs remain attended to.

August 2000: PAL introduces an e-mail booking facility that allows passengers to request for booking with a 24-hour reply from its Reservations office.

March 2001: PAL reports a profit of P419 million at the end of fiscal year 2000-2001, its second year under rehabilitation. PAL was able to pump up revenues, ride out the upsurge in expenses and take advantage of efficiencies during a difficult year for the aviation industry. During the fiscal year, PAL resumed services to Sydney, Busan, Taipei and Jakarta, expanding its network to 16 points in nine countries.

April 2001: PAL launches an Internet booking service that allows customers to book a flight and buy tickets online, and receive instant confirmation; Philippine Airlines returns to Canada after an absence of three years when it starts a direct service between Manila and Vancouver, British Columbia.

July 2001: PAL resumes flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a gap of three years.

October 2001: PAL starts regular operations to three new Asia Pacific destinations – Bangkok, Shanghai and Melbourne as part of its modest network expansion.

April 2002: The cargo product RHUSH (Rapid Handling of Urgent Shipments) was relaunched.

May 2002: PAL resumes service to Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

June 2002: PAL returns to Guam after a nine-year absence.

August 2002: The company's website, www.philippineairlines.com was relaunched, with an enhanced look and feel, easier navigation, and a host of other new innovative and user-friendly features using a new content management system. Simultaneously, the World Tracer or Online Baggage Tracing and Cargo Tracking was introduced. Finally, PAL unveiled its new frequent-flyer program (FFP), Mabuhay Miles, which integrates all of the airline’s FFPs – PALsmiles, the Mabuhay Club and the Flying Sportsman, now called Sportsplus – under one brand.

November 2002: PAL hosts the 46th Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Cebu. PAL president Avelino L. Zapanta chairs the conference.

March 2003: PAL registers a net income of P295 million for fiscal year 2002-2003.

May 2003: PAL launches Online Departure & Arrival facility giving PAL customers access to actual flight information.

June 2003: PAL introduces a new booking engine with a host of new features. Passengers may now check for available seats and fares online without having to login. The new booking engine is now able to accept bookings with infants and the multiple destination trip type involving a maximum of 4 cities and 6 flight destinations. Shortly after launching a new booking engine, PAL adds on to its worldwide network Okinawa, Japan adding up to a total of 27 international and 20 domestic destinations.

October 2003: PAL returns to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after a 5 - year absence.

December 2003: PAL adds fifth B747-400 to its young fleet of 30.

February 2004: PAL hosts biggest Interclub Golf Tournament in 57 years; PAL extends its online booking services to its Japanese website, lifting sales via the internet a notch higher.

March 2004: PAL marks 63rd year with Las Vegas service launch.

April 2004: Laoag becomes PAL's 21st domestic destination after suspending flights to this region for 6 years.

May 2004: PAL launches E-ticketing where passengers could book, pay and get a seat by phone or thru internet.

June 2004: E-ticketing expands to 3 more domestic destinations, namely, for flights between Manila and Davao, Puerto Princesa and Zamboanga. This service was initially available for flights between Manila and Cebu; Boosting its e-services campaign, PAL launches its SMS Messaging facility where passengers are able to download departure and arrival information using their cellphones.

July 2004: Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iloilo and Legaspi joins the list of ET eligible destinations in the PAL route network.

September 2004: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver becomes the first batch of ET eligible destinations in the PAL international route network; Philippine Airlines and Air Macau began a thrice-weekly code-share service between Manila and Macau, giving the Philippine flag carrier a commercial presence for the first time in the former Portuguese territory on China’s southwestern coast.

November 2004: Honolulu becomes the 5th International destination covered by PAL's e-ticketing program.

December 2004: PAL takes delivery of two virtually brand-new aircraft, both Airbus A320s, as part of continuing drive to rejuvenate its existing fleet.

March 2005: PAL launches a long-awaited service to Nagoya giving the flag carrier its fifth gateway in Japan.

May 2005: Hong Kong becomes the 6th International destination covered by PAL's e-ticketing program.

July 2005: PAL and American Airlines launch interline e-ticketing on their interline arrangement, enabling each carrier to issue e-tickets on the other's flights.

September 2005: E-ticketing expands to 2 more international destinations, namely, for flights between Manila and Busan and Seoul in South Korea.

October 2005: Laoag joins the list of ET eligible destinations in the PAL route network.

November 2005: PAL starts a regular service between Manila and Beijing giving the flag carrier a direct link to People's Republic of China's capital city.

January 2006: Guam joins the list of ET eligible international destinations in the PAL route network.

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