Philippine Airlines A321 business class SINGAPORE-MANILA

BACKGROUND Philippine Airlines operates flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, using A321ceo aircraft, which stands for 'current engine option, indicating an older aircraft than the A321neo. My flight (PR502) was a morning departure at 1035, arriving 1425 local time in Manila.

- Hannah Brandler

CHECK-IN Visitors to the Philippines must have proof of a departure ticket and have registered with the digital eTravel system up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in the country. Travellers receive a QR code via email once completed, which may be required at immigration.

I checked in online, however, and was not able to download my boarding pass, so staff needed to confirm I had a departure ticket. I arrived at 0725 for my 1035 departure.

The airline's check-in desks were located at lane 14 - right at the end of the terminal and there was a dedicated lane for business class passengers and two economy lanes. There was also one for hand-luggage only and one for those who had checked in online but needed to drop off their hold luggage. Check-in was quick and I was provided with a physical boarding pass as well as a pass for entry to the lounge.

Before reaching immigration, passengers' passports and boarding passes were checked by security staff. Once through, there were plenty of automated immigration lanes to scan passports, capture photos and scan fingerprints. Unfortunately, the automated lanes weren't working for me, so I had to join a short queue at the desk.

THE LOUNGE Philippines Airlines does not have its own lounge at Changi, but instead uses the SATS Premier Lounge, located on the first floor of the departures area. The lounge is open 24/7 and accessible to business class passengers and Priority Pass members.

The lounge was open-plan, with plenty of seating, some indoor greenery and wall art depicting Peranakan tiles. There were both hot and cold food buffets, as well as alcoholic beverages (wine, beer and spirits), filtered taps for drinking water and sparkling water, fridges for soft drinks, and two coffee machines (plus tea, with cold milk in the fridge).