Qantas is Australia's flag carrier and a founding member of oneworld. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the Philippines' flag carrier and is due to join oneworld in 2027. Travellers compare them mainly for Australia–Manila flights, where both are full-service airlines, and for onward travel into the Philippines.
Quick verdict
Qantas suits travellers who want the widest global network, a First Class option and oneworld benefits today, or who are flying from Australia to Europe or the Americas. PAL suits those whose trip ends in the Philippines or who connect through Manila to Boracay, Cebu, Palawan or North America. On Sydney–Manila and Brisbane–Manila both offer a similar full-service experience, so schedule, price and the cabin on your specific flight should decide.
Choose Qantas if…
- You want a global network reaching Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and South America, plus Qantas's long-haul First Class on the A380.
- You hold oneworld status or Qantas Frequent Flyer points and want full alliance recognition now.
- You are connecting to or from Australian domestic cities through Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.
Choose Philippine Airlines if…
- You are heading beyond Manila to Philippine islands such as Cebu, Boracay or Palawan on a single ticket.
- You want a non-stop Manila–New York JFK option, or the A350-1000 with 1-2-1 lie-flat business seats.
- You are flying Sydney or Brisbane to Manila and want a full-service flight with Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins on suitable aircraft.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Qantas hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and flies to Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and South America. PAL is centred on Manila, with Mactan-Cebu as a secondary hub, and covers Asia, North America and Oceania. On Australia–Philippines, Qantas flies daily from Sydney and, since its launch, four times weekly from Brisbane. PAL also flies between Australia and Manila, including daily A330 services from Sydney and A321neoLR flights from Brisbane.
Cabins and seats
Qantas offers First (A380 only, 14 suites), Business, Premium Economy and Economy internationally; Economy pitch is usually 79 cm (31 in). PAL has no First Class. It offers Business, Premium Economy and Economy, with three classes on A350s, reconfigured A330s and domestic A321s and two on other aircraft. The A350-1000 seats 382, with 42 lie-flat business seats in 1-2-1, 24 premium economy and 316 economy. Cabins vary by aircraft, so check your flight's seat map.
Loyalty and alliances
Qantas is a founding oneworld member, so status gives lounge access and benefits across the alliance. PAL has accepted an invitation to join oneworld in 2027 but is not yet a member. In May 2026 the two airlines linked their programmes: members can earn and redeem miles on each other's flights. Qantas Frequent Flyers can book Classic Reward seats across PAL's network, including island destinations previously missing from Qantas's partner network.
Lounges
Qantas runs First Lounges in Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney and Los Angeles, with Business Lounges in cities including Auckland, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Honolulu and London. PAL's Mabuhay Lounge at Manila NAIA and other airports is open to Business Class passengers and Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler members, with food, Wi-Fi and charging points. Qantas has the larger lounge network and a dedicated First tier; PAL's is concentrated around its own routes.
Entertainment and safety
Qantas offers seat-back audio-video on demand on A330, 787 and selected A380 aircraft. PAL's new and reconfigured aircraft have personal screens plus wireless streaming to your own device. On safety, Qantas has had no jet fatalities, with its last fatal accidents in 1951. PAL is IOSA-registered and rated 7/7 on AirlineRatings.com; its best-known incident is the 1994 Flight 434 bombing. Baggage allowances and change fees depend on fare and route for both, so check before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qantas better than Philippine Airlines?
Qantas has the bigger global network, a First Class and full oneworld membership. PAL is often more convenient for onward travel within the Philippines, and both are full-service airlines on Australia–Manila routes.
Do Qantas and Philippine Airlines both fly from Australia to Manila?
Yes. Qantas flies from Sydney and Brisbane to Manila, and PAL flies from Sydney and Brisbane. PAL uses A330s from Sydney and A321neoLRs from Brisbane.
Can I use Qantas points on Philippine Airlines?
Yes. Since May 2026, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can book Classic Reward seats across the PAL network and earn points on PAL flights. Availability varies, so search before you plan around it.
About Qantas Read more
Overview
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in Winton, Queensland, in November 1920 and began operations in 1922. It is one of the world's oldest airlines still operating. It is listed on the ASX, majority Australian-owned under Australian legislation, and headquartered in Mascot, Sydney. It is a founding member of the oneworld alliance. Vanessa Hudson is chief executive.
Network and hubs
Qantas has hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with focus cities including Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. It serves more than 60 domestic destinations and flies to Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and South America. It describes itself as the only airline to fly to all seven continents. Subsidiaries include Jetstar (low-cost) and QantasLink (regional).
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a mainline fleet of 132 aircraft (retrieved September 2026). In November 2024 the wider Qantas Group, including Jetstar, QantasLink and freight operations, operated 308 aircraft. The group has large orders for A220, A320neo family, A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft to replace older types. Seat maps for each type are on the Qantas fleet page.
On board
- First: A380 only, with 14 suites in a 1-1-1 layout.
- Business, Premium Economy and Economy: offered internationally. Economy seat pitch is usually 79 cm (31 in).
- Entertainment: seat-back audio-video on demand on A330, 787 and selected A380 aircraft.
Meal and Wi-Fi details vary by route and aircraft; check the airline's website for your flight.
Good to know
- Lounges: international First Lounges operate in Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore, Sydney and Los Angeles, with Business Lounges in several other cities.
- Loyalty: Qantas Frequent Flyer. Its higher tiers and oneworld status give lounge access.
- Baggage and change fees: these depend on fare type and route. Check the airline's baggage and fees pages when booking.
- Safety: Qantas has had no jet fatalities. Its last fatal accidents were in 1951.
Sources: Wikipedia, Qantas; Qantas fleet and seat maps.
About Philippine Airlines Read more
Overview
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 26 February 1941 and is the oldest operating commercial airline in Asia. It is controlled by the Lucio Tan group through PAL Holdings. Its headquarters are in Pasay, Metro Manila. PAL has accepted an invitation to join the oneworld alliance in 2027, so it is not yet a member (New Straits Times).
Network and hubs
The main hub is Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, with Mactan-Cebu as a secondary hub. PAL flies international routes across Asia, North America and Oceania, plus some domestic trunk routes. Its subsidiary PAL Express operates most domestic flights. Non-stop service to New York JFK began in 2018 with the A350-900. A new Guam route was announced for 2026 (Business Traveller).
Fleet
Business Traveller reported a fleet of 82 aircraft in January 2026. Wikipedia's infobox gives 52, which appears to exclude PAL Express, so the two figures are not directly comparable. The fleet includes Airbus A321neo, A330 and A350 aircraft and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The first A350-1000 arrived at the end of 2025, and nine are expected over the coming years, mainly for trans-Pacific routes.
On board
- Cabins: business, premium economy and economy. A350s, reconfigured A330s and domestic A321s have all three; other aircraft have two.
- A350-1000: 382 seats, with 42 lie-flat business seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy and 316 economy.
- Entertainment: new and reconfigured aircraft have personal screens, alongside wireless streaming to passengers' own devices.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances and change fees vary by fare and route; check them on the PAL website before booking.
- Mabuhay Lounges are open to Business Class passengers and Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler members. Facilities include food, Wi-Fi and charging points.
- The loyalty programme is Mabuhay Miles, with Classic, Elite, Premier Elite and Million Miler tiers.
- PAL has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit and holds a 7/7 rating on AirlineRatings.com, according to Wikipedia.
Sources (3)
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