Philippine Airlines passengers with access to the Mabuhay Lounge at Terminal 2 will be glad to know that the arroz caldo they have come to love is still on the menu. The piping-hot rice porridge flavored with ginger and flecks of garlic is still there to warm their tummies before their flights.
But some changes have been made in the menu selection which is now handled by PAL Catering and the San Miguel Purefoods Culinary Center.
Bigger space
The Mabuhay Lounge, which was closed for renovation for a few months, now has a bigger space with a reception area, dining facilities, buffet setup, a library, a mini theater and restrooms.
In a statement, PAL president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said, “This new Mabuhay Lounge is just one of many improvements we are working on at Philippine Airlines. With this new lounge, we are keeping in step with the world’s leading and best airlines.”
Designed by the award-winning, Singapore-based FBEYE International interior design firm, the 520-square-meter lounge has amenities and layouts similar to those found in other airline lounges. Low, boxy armchairs allow passengers to sneak in a nap before their flights while the in-house library offers a wide range of reading materials for those who want to keep abreast of current events.
“We offer our valued passengers a pleasant experience, marked by warm and hospitable service, and high-quality amenities and features. This is our way of extending to our customers the brand of service PAL has been known for, before they even board their flights,” Ang said.
Highlight
In the past, Mabuhay Class passengers had to drag along their carry-on bags to where they are seated. Now, the new reception area at the lounge has ample storage for bags and coats. The dining area, meanwhile, can accommodate as many as 80 passengers at a time although all areas are designated dining spaces.
The highlight of the lounge, however, is the mini theater that features aircraft-inspired seats and cabin-like interiors.
“We are here to give passengers the care they have come to expect but in a world-class facility,” Ismael Augusto Gozon, PAL SVP for airline operations, told Inquirer Lifestyle.
The year may be coming to a close but Ang said that, in the next few months, PAL management will be making “many major announcements in terms of our ongoing route expansion.” These have since included the announcement of a resumption of flights to Europe and Dubai.
