PAL's Airbus transpacific flights in first class are an especially good bargain. For a little more than $3,000 return, one gets virtually the same service and seat comfort as on SQ, CX, or any of the other big Asian carriers - for about 1/2 the price that these other carriers would charge. Note that the business class is around $2,000 return; in addition, they have an almost continual buy one - get one free promotion in biz and first. Good value.

Seats fully recline 180 degrees; each seat has individual video; food is relatively simple, but quite good; the plane is exceptionally clean; and Filipino service is inevitably very friendly and accommodating.

PAL is not in quite the same elegant genre as you might find on other top notch carriers, but value for money - absolutely no comparison.

However, there are a couple of caveats flying PAL on international routes: Their 747's are really dated and not nearly as good as the Airbus. On the 747's, business class is little different from economy - very uncomfortable and no leg rests. First is acceptable, but nothing like the Airbus. In addition, there are no individual videos at all on most of their 747's so count on the movie flickering keeping you awake most of the night.

If you fly business class on the Airbus, it's also quite good. Try to get seat 11a - this is an emergency exit window seat - with huge amounts of leg room and a built in "leg rest" - the door.

All in all, in my view, PAL provides far and away the best Transpacific value going. In addition, their hub at Manila makes transfers very easy and painless. Highly recommended.