The classic has undergone a makeover. For 15 years, Philippine Airlines’ enormous Boeing 747-400 was the "queen of the skies" on the busy trans-Pacific routes between Manila and the West Coast of the United States.

The popular "jumbo" jet – the largest and most advanced model of the B747 family – has flown millions of balikbayans, tourists, business people and other passengers in comfort across the Pacific since it joined the PAL fleet in November 1993.

Recently, the old reliable got an upgrade. In the first major retrofitting of its B747-400 fleet in years, PAL has launched a comprehensive, P1.8-billion renovation of the aircraft’s cabin, bannered by its reconfiguration from a tri-class to bi-class layout.

Other highlights include the installation of state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems, new business-class and economy-class seats, and the infusion of a modern look that emulates the beautiful coastal areas of the Philippines.

Late last month, the first of PAL’s four B747-400s to undergo the cabin-upgrade program was delivered to the flag carrier and immediately put back into service on the trans-Pacific sector.

The upgrade is being progressively introduced into the B747-400 fleet and by the second half of 2009, all four units will be sporting the new interiors.

Mabuhay (Business) Class has been expanded to cover a larger area, occupying the main forward section and the entire upper deck of the B747-400.

There are now 42 seats in Mabuhay Class, 10 more seats than in the old layout. Fiesta (Economy) Class remains at 383 seats. The Mabuhay Class has "cocoon" seats supplied by Recaro of Germany. The new seat has a fixed privacy shell that enables the passenger to enjoy utmost privacy while an ergonomic design transforms it into a lie-flat bed.

With a generous pitch of 60 inches (nearly a foot longer than in the previous design), the seats are adjustable to a variety of positions at the passenger’s option, including a full-flat recline.

Fiesta Class passengers will likewise benefit from the technology – their new seats, also from Recaro, are ergonomically designed, with new-generation, thinner seatbacks. These provide bigger "living" space and enhance passengers’ comfort.

The entire passenger cabin is equipped with the i5000 inflight entertainment system supplied by Thales of France. The i5000 is a fully digital system that enables both Mabuhay and Fiesta Class passengers to choose from a full library of video and audio content.

Digital games include Tetris, Bejeweled, Galaktor, Reversi, Bookworm, Solitaire, Head-to-Head Chess and the inflight Trivia Challenge. Noise-canceling headsets and in-seat power for laptops are provided in Mabuhay Class.

Mabuhay Class seats are outfitted in plush, deep-blue upholstery accented with touches of silvery-copper threads that simulate reflections of light on water.