Philippine Airlines

THE flight from San Francisco to Manila seemed endless, even though my mother had treated us to business class and its bedlike chairs, parade of meals and free-flowing champagne. More than 60 years ago, my mother, Leanne Blinzler Noe, had traveled the same route by ship -- taking 18 days instead of 13 hours.

At least 26 people were killed and more than 100,000 others fled their homes Friday as Typhoon Bebinca slammed into the northern Philippine island of Luzon and roared through Manila, the capital, officials and radio reports said.

The body has been found of a man who tried to hijack a Philippine Airlines jet with 291 people on board, then bailed out at 6,000 feet wearing a homemade parachute, authorities said today.

Philippine Airlines Inc. plans to resume its international flights at the end of the month after consultations with potential investors. The airline would initially fly the Manila-San Francisco-Los Angeles-Manila route three times a week, beginning Oct.

Philippine Airlines said it was reopening after forging a no-strike deal with its largest union, though militant workers vowed to continue opposing the deal.

Philippine Airlines' management and largest union said Monday they reached a breakthrough agreement on a management-proposed plan to revive the airline, five days after the airline's closure, a labor leader said.

Roy Morales flew from Los Angeles to Manila nearly every year on a 12-hour Philippine Airlines flight. The attendants were friendly, the service good and "besides, what other airline serves rice and adobo?" said the retired social worker and teacher, referring to the popular Filipino pork and chicken dish, seasoned with garlic, vinegar and soy sauce.