PAL launches real-time flight check

Philippine Airlines has introduced a new website facility that enables customers to ascertain the actual time of departure and arrival of any PAL flight, thus significantly easing the process of sending off or picking up passengers at the airport.

Called "Online Departure and Arrival," the facility is directly linked to the system used by the flag carrier to monitor all incoming and outgoing aircraft movement, which makes it possible to determine the status of flights up to the minute.

The procedure allows customers to know the departure or arrival time of any PAL flight within two days before and two days after the current date.

The new feature can easily be accessed via the PAL website www.-philippineairlines.com. On the home page, simply click "Departures and Arrivals" on the leftmost boarding pass-shaped box.

Alternatively, the visitor can click "Flight Information" on the lower right-hand part of the home page. The system then guides the visitor through the process.

The introduction of real-time flight status check brings PAL into line with major international airlines, which offer this convenience.

"Problems on pick-up time, being late for a flight or simply knowing if your loved one’s flight has departed or arrived are now things of the past," said PAL president Avelino L. Zapanta.

Meanwhile, Zapanta reminded passengers to take advantage of PAL’s real-time on-line flight booking and payment service, which is also accessible via www.philip-pineairlines.com.

"Anybody with access to the Internet anywhere in the world can make his own PAL flight arrangements in the comfort of his home or office. There is no need to queque up at the ticket office," he said.

The service is a "one-stop shop" facility that allows the passenger to check fares, select a flight, have his credit card validated and then book a seat on-line.

The transaction takes only a few minutes to complete. The only thing left to do is pick up the ticket at any PAL ticket office or at the airport on the day of the flight.