Air Philippines2P

PAL Express is a subsidiary airline of Philippine Airlines (PAL), operating regional and domestic services throughout the Philippines and connecting key Southeast Asian destinations. Established as a dedicated regional carrier, PAL Express focuses on short-haul routes and secondary market connectivity, complementing PAL's long-haul and premium network.

As a PAL subsidiary, PAL Express maintains Philippine Airlines' heritage of warm Filipino hospitality (Mabuhay spirit) while offering efficient, no-frills regional service at competitive fares. The airline operates a modern, efficient fleet purpose-built for regional operations, connecting the Philippines' 7,600+ islands and serving important regional routes from Manila and Cebu hubs.

Passengers flying PAL Express benefit from integration with Philippine Airlines' Mabuhay Miles frequent flyer program, allowing miles earned on regional flights to count toward elite status and redemptions on PAL's international network. PAL Express codeshares with Philippine Airlines, enabling seamless connections to PAL's global destination network.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Personal Item	Cabin Bag	Weight Limit
Economy	1 piece (40x30x15cm)	1 piece (56x36x23cm)	7 kg (15 lbs)
Business	1 piece (40x30x15cm)	1 piece (56x36x23cm)	7 kg (15 lbs)

Personal Item: One small bag (laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack) included free on all fares.

Cabin Bag: One roller bag or cabin-sized luggage included on all fares.

Important: The 7 kg weight limit for cabin bags is strictly enforced at Philippine airports, particularly at Manila and Cebu. Bags are weighed at check-in and boarding gates. Overweight cabin bags must be checked and will incur fees.

Checked Baggage

Domestic Routes (Philippines):

Class	Allowance	Weight Limit
Economy	1 bag included	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	1 bag included	25 kg (55 lbs)

Regional Routes (Guam, SE Asia):

Class	Allowance	Weight Limit
Economy	1 bag included	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	1 bag included	25 kg (55 lbs)

Size Limits:

• Maximum dimensions: 158 cm / 62 in total linear dimensions (length + width + height)
• Maximum weight per bag: 25 kg (55 lbs)

Additional Bags:

• 2nd bag: PHP 800-1,200 depending on route (~$14-21 USD)
• 3rd bag onwards: PHP 1,500+ per bag

Excess Baggage Fees

Pre-Paid Online (Recommended):

• +5 kg: PHP 300-500 (~$5-9)
• +10 kg: PHP 600-800 (~$11-14)
• Additional bag: PHP 800-1,200 (~$14-21)

At Airport: Airport counter rates are significantly higher. Always pre-purchase excess baggage online for better rates.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard	Counts toward baggage allowance
Skis/snowboard	Standard	Counts toward allowance
Bicycle	Standard	Must be boxed, counts toward allowance
Surfboard	Standard	Oversized boards may incur additional fees
Diving equipment	Standard	Tanks must be empty
Baby stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Car seat	Free	Doesn't count toward baggage allowance
Wheelchair	Free	Priority handling

Fees as of January 2026. Verify at palexpress.com.ph.

Aircraft Fleet

PAL Express operates a modern, efficient regional fleet:

ATR 72-600: Short-range turboprop aircraft with 70 seats (primarily regional routes)

• Configuration: 68-72 seats (single cabin)
• Service: Economy class
• Routes: Short-haul Philippine domestic and Guam connections
• Pressurized cabin with air conditioning

Airbus A320 (select operations): Medium-range jet aircraft for longer regional routes

• Configuration: 180-190 seats (single cabin)
• Service: Economy class, basic comfort
• Routes: Manila-Cebu-Davao triangle, regional SE Asia
• Modern avionics and fuel efficiency

Cabin Classes

Economy Class:

• Standard pitch: 30-32" (76-81 cm) on A320
• Seat width: 17-18" (43-46 cm)
• Complimentary beverages: Coffee, tea, soft drinks
• Meals: Light snacks on most routes; meal service on longer flights
• No frills: Limited entertainment, basic amenities

Business Class (Select Routes):

• Slightly enhanced seating with extra legroom
• Priority boarding
• Complimentary meals and beverage service
• Limited availability; used on select long-haul regional routes

Entertainment & Connectivity

• In-Flight Entertainment: Limited to ATR routes (minimal entertainment options); A320 routes may have seat-back screens or streaming options
• WiFi: Not widely available; check specific flight availability
• Power: Not available on most PAL Express aircraft
• Personal Devices: Limited connectivity support

Meals & Beverages

Domestic/Short-Haul (Under 2 hours):

• Complimentary soft drinks and juice
• Light snacks: Peanuts, cookies, or pastries
• Coffee and tea available

Regional/Longer Routes (2+ hours):

• Complimentary light meal or sandwich service
• Hot beverage service
• Local Filipino snacks when available

Special Meals: Request in advance (vegetarian, halal, kosher, gluten-free available with notice)

Luggage Allowances (Cabin)

• Overhead bin space is limited on ATR 72 aircraft—smaller bags recommended
• Checked baggage handled on tarmac at smaller provincial airports
• Gate-check available for oversized items at Manila and Cebu

Booking

• Book directly at palexpress.com.ph for best rates and change flexibility
• Join Mabuhay Miles before booking to earn miles from your first flight
• PAL Express provides excellent value for Philippine domestic travel
• Watch for seasonal sales during Philippine holidays and festivals
• Regional flights often have lower fares than PAL mainline

At the Airport

• Manila Terminal 2 check-in is efficient and less crowded than other terminals
• Provincial airports move quickly—plan accordingly
• Arrive early at smaller airports like Kalibo or Tacloban
• Download the myPAL app for mobile boarding pass
• PAL Express flights typically board on schedule

Baggage Tips

• 7 kg cabin bag limit is strictly enforced—weigh your bag before the airport
• Pre-purchase excess baggage online for major savings (PHP 500+ cheaper than airport)
• Pack light for ATR 72 flights—overhead bin space is limited
• Checked baggage handled efficiently at Manila and Cebu hubs
• Provincial airports may gate-check larger items due to lack of jet bridges

Flying PAL Express

• ATR 72 turboprops offer smooth, quiet flights for short distances
• Flights under 1 hour are common on domestic routes
• Many provincial destinations lack jet bridges—stairs/ramps used for boarding
• Real-time flight tracking available via myPAL app
• Window seats offer beautiful views of Philippine archipelago on clear days

Miles & Elite Status

• Segment count toward elite status: Each PAL Express flight = 1 segment
• Domestic flights provide value for reaching elite tier requirements
• Combine with PAL international flights for faster elite progression
• Elite status on PAL Express = access to Mabuhay Lounge at Manila and Cebu
• Status-matched into partner airlines for connecting onward PAL flights

Common Issues to Avoid

• Don't assume overhead bin space—especially on ATR 72 aircraft
• Provincial airports require longer check-in times (arrive 90 minutes early)
• Typhoon season disruptions are common June-November
• Cabin bags heavier than 7kg will be rejected at gate
• Some provincial airports don't have baggage carousels—items collected at stairs
• Guam flights require valid documents; check entry requirements

Best Value Routes

• Domestic archipelago flights: Excellent value compared to connecting via PAL mainline
• Manila-Cebu shuttle: Most frequent, reliable service
• Northern routes: Manila to Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban offer premium positioning
• Secondary city connections: Cebu to Davao, Iloilo provide essential network access
• Guam route: Gateway to US Pacific connections

Policies as of January 2026. Verify current information at palexpress.com.ph