Philippine Airlines flies Filipino Olympians home on a special flight from Dubai

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, who made history for the country by winning two Olympic gold medals, was honored as the airlines’ “Forever Flyer,” receiving 150,000 Mabuhay Miles per year for life.

PAL flight and ground personnel await the country’s Olympians to board PR 8888 in Dubai.

The Philippine Olympic team returned home from the Paris 2024 Games aboard a special Philippine Airlines (PAL) “homecoming” flight, which landed to a rousing welcome in Manila two days ago.

PAL flight PR 8888 from Dubai to Manila carried home the members of the Philippine Olympic delegation, who made the nation proud with their historic participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The flight, organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee, with support from the private sector, included Olympic athletes, officials and sports leaders.

Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo is a PAL “forever flyer”

Bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio gives the okay sign

First-time bronze medalist Aira Villegas

During the flight, athletes enjoyed business-class meals and complimentary inflight Wi-Fi. They were also gifted with Tanduay Rhum products.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, who made history for the country by winning two golds in the Olympics, was honored as PAL’s “Forever Flyer,” receiving 150,000 Mabuhay Miles per year for life. 

“Maraming salamat po sa pagdarasal at pag-suporta sa aming mga atletang Pilipino na naglaro sa Olympics,” (Thank your very much for your prayers and support for Philippine athletes who competed in the Olympics) Yulo said during the homecoming flight.

Once more for the cameras, Carlos, with fellow Philippine Olympians, indulges one of PR 8888’s pilots with a “groupie.”

Olympic bronze medalists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio were each awarded 80,000 Mabuhay Miles annually for the next three years. 

“Thank you, PAL, for the 80,000 miles; this is a big help for me and my family. Mabuhay po kayo,” said Petecio. “Maraming salamat, Philippine Airlines; I will definitely use these miles, especially when I travel home to the province,” Villegas added.

Manila, here they come!

PAL Holdings Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio C. Tan III expressed his pride in the athletes, saying, “It is a great honor to carry home the heroes of the nation – our Filipino champions who represented their countrymen with pride and distinction on the global stage of the Olympics. Our Philippine Airlines team made sure our athletes had a comfortable journey home with the best of PAL’s wholehearted service on this special flight.”