My flight experience on board a Cebu Pacific Airbus A321neo

Cebu Pacific will soon be the largest operator of the Airbus A321neo in the Philippines in 5 years’ time. Currently, they are the biggest operator of the frame. With 10 currently in the fleet and 22 more to be delivered, it is no doubt that this aircraft will soon be a common sight in our skies. I have always wondered what it’s like to be on board Cebu Pacific’s workhorse. Hence, I decided to fly in it!

My flight was from Cebu to Manila on December 9 aboard this aircraft. It would be my first time flying in an A321neo and I made sure that the flight I booked utilized that frame. Also, my flight a day before from Manila to Cebu was on an A321ceo powered by CFM56 engines. At least I would be able to compare such as engine sounds.

The Airbus A321neo

The Airbus A321neo is more than just a re-engined Airbus A321-200. Well, first of all, Cebu Pacific’s A321neo makes use of the ACF version or what is called “Airbus Cabin Flex”. ACF was an option when it was introduced but now, it is already a normal feature on all newly ordered and delivered A321neo. This allows airlines to pack a maximum of 240 seats in a single-class configuration. In the case of Cebu Pacific, that’s 236 all-economy seats. ACF is achieved by removing the door forward to the wing and by adding two overwing exits on the center section of the fuselage.

Engines used are the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared high-bypass turbofan engines which reduce fuel burn by 15% to 20%. This gives the A321neo a range of 7,400km.

Riding Cebu Pacific’s A321neo

There were many speculations on the A321neo of Cebu Pacific. Some said that it was like a Sardines can due to the number of passengers all packed inside an aircraft. Some said the seats were uncomfortable. Well, I wanted to give it a try myself and see if all these were true.

Upon entering the aircraft, the first thing I noticed was the seats. They were ultra-slim! Well knowing that these are Recaro seats, I knew that they are of top quality amidst their slimness. I am somewhat a huge guy who stands 5’7″, so I wasn’t sure if the legroom was as okay as that on the 230-seater A321ceo. It was generous enough! Of course, you really can’t stretch your legs too much but simply enough to make your regional and short-hop flights comfortable.

You also cannot recline these seats. They are already pre-reclined.

There are also USB charging ports on every seat so you can charge your device during your flights! I believe that Cebu Pacific is so far the only low-cost airline in the Philippines with such a feature. I am not sure if PAL Express’ A321ceo has these too but I didn’t notice any. Maybe there are. Not sure. Please do correct me if I am wrong.

Quite aircraft

Pushback then engines start up. First came this deep mooing sound similar to a Boeing 777-300ER’s GE90-115B engine. Then you hear the spool-up. This one is quiet! Amazingly quiet should I say! If you are used to the A320s using CFM56 engines, you will say that this is something different, really quiet indeed! Of course, that “barking” sound that comes from the Power Transfer Unit comes in next. I’ll write more about that barking sound in a different article.

I also noticed a few of those mooing sounds whenever the pilot would add power to the taxi. Is this due to the geared turbofan? It sounds like a moo or like a low-pitched horn. It just comes in whenever the pilot adds power.

However, the engine spool-up sound during take-off was a beauty! It has this high-pitched sound similar to that also of a GE90-115B engine. Yet, it was quiet! The power you can hear coming from those PW1100G engines as we took off from Cebu! None of those “wreeeeeeeeeee” sound familiar on all CFM56-equipped A320s and A321s. Just that high-pitched quiet sound. I love this plane!

The flight was smooth throughout from Cebu to Manila. Everything was cool except for that kid who kept hitting my seat from the back, and the mom not doing anything about it! Grrrrrr!!!!

I also took light snacks. The tray tables were somehow small but enough basically for a light meal. Well, it doesn’t matter though. Food and beverage on board Cebu Pacific flights are packed well, so there is nothing to worry about.

My take on Cebu Pacific’s A321neo

Well, don’t expect pillows, blankets, IFEs, and so on. Cebu Pacific is a low-cost airline. However, in my opinion, they don’t feel much of a low-cost airline except when you ask for extra amenities. The aircraft is clean, the seat handles are not cracked nor chipped, the leather seats don’t have tears, all panels are clean, all lights are working, and the aircraft somehow still smells brand new.

Knowing that Cebu Pacific is bound to take in 22 more of these A321neo aircraft with the new interiors (yes new interiors), customers will be able to enjoy more value than what they pay for on every flight. A low-cost carrier doesn’t have frills, so you can’t compare them to the amenities on board a legacy airline.

Just because Cebu Pacific is a low-cost airline, it doesn’t mean that they are sacrificing quality in exchange for savings. No! First, you have brand new jets and a very young fleet with now an average of 2.4 years for their A321s! Also, they keep accepting brand new Airbus NEO jets while they get rid of the old ones.

They have also invested heavily in technology such as self-check-in kiosks and other digital features to make things more convenient for passengers. While they are low-cost airlines, the new interiors are stylish! Enough of those gray and dark green seats!

All-in-all, Cebu Pacific continues to make huge improvements. From its digital transformation to new aircraft such as the A321neo, new interiors, new livery, and so much more, the future is indeed exciting for this low-cost airline.

As for taking a ride on their A321neo, it’s lovely! And yes, really quiet! Amidst the dense setting, I was happy. I wasn’t even a tad uncomfortable for this short hop flight. The experience was great! Worth the fare indeed!

Watch my video below to feel what it’s like to be on board the A321neo of Cebu Pacific.