Points and miles collection in Japan for the non-Japanese.
The Lounge That Started It All: My Accidental Business Class Upgrade to Manila
A simple curiosity about airport lounges turned into my first-ever business class flight from Tokyo to Manila on Philippine Airlines’ A330‑300. I didn’t need the upgrade (Japan’s airports are already blissfully calm), but PAL’s lack of premium economy and my own lounge FOMO nudged me into a lie‑flat seat, a Tanduay cocktail, and a surprisingly delightful daytime hop to the Philippines. This light, honest trip report ties back to my earlier case for short‑haul business class—and proves I still stand by it.
When curiosity turns into a lie‑flat seat
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: flying out of Japan is so orderly that I genuinely don’t mind sitting in economy or premium economy. Boarding is calm, queues are civilized, and no one sprints to the gate like it’s the Olympics.
Flying out of Manila, however? That’s a different story—and if you’ve read my earlier piece on why I’ll take a short‑haul business class upgrade whenever I can, especially on Manila departures, you already know the chaos I’m trying to avoid.
So why was I flying to Manila in business class this time? Simple: PAL doesn’t offer premium economy.
And also… I wanted to see the lounge. Yes, I booked business class for a lounge.
And honestly? No regrets.
The lounge plot twist I didn’t see coming
A quick search told me:
Haneda → Manila (PAL Business Class): TIAT Lounge (or sometimes ANA Lounge)
Narita → Manila (PAL Business Class): Aspire Lounge or China Airlines Lounge
Naturally, I strategized. Narita had the better lounge, but the aircraft only had recliner seats. Haneda had the lie‑flat A330‑300 (which I've never tried) with a 1‑2‑1 layout and guaranteed aisle access.
Seat > lounge. Decision made.
Except… plot twist.
At check‑in, the ground staff casually mentioned: “Ma’am, PAL business class passengers now use the ANA Lounge. TIAT is too crowded.”
So much for my lounge‑driven decision-making. But hey—ANA Lounge isn’t exactly a downgrade. It’s just not the lounge I booked this flight for.
A curious scene at the gate
Boarding was delayed from 2:35 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., which is pretty standard for Manila-bound flights. What wasn’t standard was the small group of passengers being escorted by multiple immigration officers.
No context, no announcements—just a quiet procession of Very Important (or Very Suspicious?) People. I’ll never know the story, but my imagination is still running wild.
A Tanduay surprise at 35,000 feet
Once onboard, the Filipino warmth kicked in immediately. Being addressed by my last name felt unexpectedly nice—formal without being stiff, personal without being awkward.
Then came the menu. I expected wine. Maybe a mimosa. I did not expect a Tanduay cocktail collection.
The flight attendant recommended the Davao Tropics, and I braced myself for something overly creamy or aggressively sweet. However, it was balanced, refreshing, and honestly… kind of perfect for a mid-afternoon flight to Manila. A little tropical, a little indulgent, very on-brand.
The seat that made the upgrade worth it
Let’s talk hardware.
True lie‑flat seat
1‑2‑1 configuration
Massage function (yes, really)
Plenty of storage
Charging ports available even before takeoff
For a sub‑5‑hour flight, this is luxury. And it reinforces exactly what I said in my earlier article: short-haul business class can be worth it—not for the flight time, but for the comfort, the space, and the sanity.
In‑flight entertainment: Good enough
The screen was responsive, which is more than I can say for some airlines’ long-haul products.
The selection, though? Let’s call it “minimalist.” Not bad, not great—just enough to keep you occupied between sips of Tanduay.
🇵🇭 Final thoughts: A solid way to start a Manila trip
Flying PAL’s A330‑300 from Haneda to Manila was genuinely pleasant. The seat alone made the upgrade worthwhile, and the service reminded me why Filipino hospitality is in a league of its own.
If PAL ever adds in‑flight Wi‑Fi, this would be an even stronger product. Until then, I’ll happily sip my Davao Tropics, stretch out on my lie‑flat seat, and enjoy the calm before the Manila airport storm.
