Easier booking, check-in as PAL adopts new system used by elite airlines
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the completion of its migration to a new ticketing and flight reservation system.
According to PAL, its IT system is now powered by the next-generation Amadeus Altea technology. Amadeus is one of the world’s largest providers in this segment, serving the likes of British Airways, Qantas and ANA, whose parent firm ANA Holdings completed last month the acquisition of a 9.5-percent stake in PAL operator PAL Holdings for $95 million.
“We look forward to serving our passengers better as we add our new system to the new airplanes, expanded route network, enhanced products and continuing innovations that add up to the four-star service that we dedicate to all our customers,” PAL president and COO Jaime J. Bautista said in the statement.
With the upgrade, PAL said it was accepting bookings, ticket purchases, rebooking, refunds and purchase of travel extras. Meanwhile, the MyPAL Upgrade Service and online check-in will be available by today.
PAL said the new Amadeus system allowed easier booking, automated customer preference recognition, faster check-in processing, streamlined services with interline partners and real-time, personalized alerts for flight changes and other announcements.
The upgrade is among the enhancements PAL is implementing in line with its goal to become a Skytrax five-star carrier by next year. PAL achieved four-star status last year.
Presently, it is expanding its fleet while adding new destinations.
PAL announced capital spending this year alone would amount to $650 million, which would be used to acquire six new planes, including two new Airbus A350-900s and A321Neos.
Expanded operations and lower jet fuel prices would also help PAL return to profitability in 2019 after a two-year losing streak, PAL’s chair and CEO Lucio Tan had said.
