Cardinal David questions profit over passenger comfort at Philippine Airlines

Philippine Catholic Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David criticized Philippine Airlines over cramped seating on his October 20 flights to and from Cebu, a major destination in the central Philippines, saying limited legroom aggravated discomfort from his osteoarthritis.

In a Facebook post titled “THE ‘HEART OF THE FILIPINO’?”, a reference to the airline’s advertising slogan, David said he had previously preferred the carrier for its convenience and comfort.

On his 6:30 a.m. economy flight to Cebu, David said his knees pressed against the seat ahead despite having his requested aisle seat.

“I found myself praying that the passenger ahead would not recline his seat,” he wrote. “My only relief was to stretch one leg into the aisle, where passing passengers and flight attendants kept bumping into it.”

David said he requested more legroom for his return flight and was willing to pay extra, but the flight was full. His reserved aisle seat offered similarly restrictive space for someone almost six feet, or approximately 1.83 meters, tall.

The cardinal also questioned the arrangement of occupied seats beside the aircraft’s emergency exit doors, saying he took a photograph to seek clarification.

“Are these seats really compliant with aviation safety regulations requiring unobstructed access to emergency exits?” he asked.

He called on the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the country’s aviation safety regulator, to explain. His observations do not establish that the seating arrangement violated safety regulations.

David acknowledged that airlines must operate profitably but questioned whether passenger comfort was being compromised, particularly for older travelers, people with disabilities and those with conditions that make cramped seating painful.

“Even a little extra legroom has now become something passengers must pay a premium for,” he wrote.

He concluded by recalling a flight attendant’s farewell using the airline’s slogan, “The Heart of the Filipino.”

“Has the ‘Heart of the Filipino’ become a little less compassionate toward the Filipino passenger?” David asked.

“How disheartening.”