Philippine Airlines (PAL) will start a regular service between Manila and Beijing on November 11, 2005, giving the flag carrier a direct link to the political heart of China.

PAL will be returning to Beijing after a 16-year hiatus.

The service will operate three times a week, with departures from Manila (PR 358) every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m.  Arrival at Beijing Capital Airport is at 11:55 a.m.

The return service, PR 359, departs Beijing on the same days at 12:55 p.m. and arrives in Manila at 5:15 p.m.

PAL will deploy widebody Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the first two flight dates, November 11 and 13, to accommodate the expected crush of passengers on the inaugural services.  Thereafter, the airline switches to the Airbus A320, the workhorse of its Asian regional operations.

The new-generation jet seats a total of 150 in a bi-class layout – 12 in Mabuhay (business) class and 138 in economy.

Beijing is PAL's third destination in China.  The airline already operates a daily service to Shanghai and four-times-weekly flights to Xiamen in southern Fujian province.