Good J prices: EY MNL-Europe rtn

[CMA222]

Yes, I know, I was there last week and it's slightly more than a noodle bar. The wantons were very nice, but the cheap Aussie shiraz wasn't.

The CX lounge in Manila is miles better than the PAGSS contract lounge QF uses. The CX wines, including the bubbles, were down graded after the lounge finally reopened after Covid.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

The CX lounge in Manila is miles better than the PAGSS contract lounge QF uses. The CX wines, including the bubbles, were down graded after the lounge finally reopened after Covid.

Does QF fly out of a different terminal in MNL or are they just to cheap to pay for CX lounge access?

 

[JoshuaL1997]

Does QF fly out of a different terminal in MNL or are they just to cheap to pay for CX lounge access?

They fly out of the same terminal but send passanger's to PAGGS as I assume its cheaper, same as Qatar.

Cathay will let you in if you have status or are on a J ticket. Only shame is that the lounge closes at 8pm so if you are on the 2am flight to BNE you will miss out, same with the midnight Qatar departures.

 

[CMA222]

They fly out of the same terminal but send passanger's to PAGGS as I assume its cheaper, same as Qatar.

Cathay will let you in if you have status or are on a J ticket. Only shame is that the lounge closes at 8pm so if you are on the 2am flight to BNE you will miss out, same with the midnight Qatar departures.

Yes fortunately the MNL - SYD flight (QF20) departs at 2035 so the QF pax, who can access the CX lounge, have already left the CX lounge to board the flight before it closes.

 

[SydneySwan]

Yes fortunately the MNL - SYD flight (QF20) departs at 2035 so the QF pax, who can access the CX lounge, have already left the CX lounge to board the flight before it closes.

Does it really close at 8pm? I was in the lounge on Wednesday evening and left at 8.15pm as QF20 was delayed a few mins but there were still about 6 people there when I left.

 

[JoshuaL1997]

Does it really close at 8pm? I was in the lounge on Wednesday evening and left at 8.15pm as QF20 was delayed a few mins but there were still about 6 people there when I left.

The Cathay website says it closes at 8:15pm daily which is also when the last flight to HK departs.

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AU/destinations/lounges/manila-mnl/cathay-pacific-lounge.html

 

[Melburnian1]

Hey everyone,

Interesting thread! I've just booked MNL-AUH-MUC and returning GVA-AUH-MNL in J with Etihad for $2600 in December. I chose the shorter layovers in AUH and therefore the flights between MNL to AUH are both on the 777 with the old J seats but for the price I really can't complain much. The AUH-MUC flight will be in the brand new 787 with suites which I haven't heard or read much about which I'm excited for.

It will be my first time flying in and out of MNL and I've done a bit of reading to get my expectations right. Seems like Manila is navigable but not extremely efficient or fun, can anyone tell me if Manila has fast tracked security and immigration options for premium passangers? And what has your experience been in terms of time it takes to clear immigration and security on either end of your flights in and out of MNL?

In recent times I have only used T1.

The only fast tracking appears to be for those holding an APEX card.

In my last visit (February and then March 2024), on both occasions it took about 12 minutes to get through immigration. There were more immigration officers than I can ever recall, probably because the media gave the Filipino Department of Immigration a few 'serves' two or three years ago, so additional officers were trained.

The experience was better than when departing or arriving SYD or MEL internationally.

My suitcase also appeared very promptly on one of the two trips, and quite promptly on the other. Maximum waiting time was about 18 minutes: again, superior to Australia.

99 per cent of passengers just walk straight through customs.

However, I don't advise same day international connections in MNL, especially during June to December typhoon season. This doesn't mean there's a typhoon every day - far from it - but you could be unlucky. Additionally, an inbound on which you're travelling could be late, and then you expend energy panicking that you won't make your connection.

 

[Mattg]

For those using these fares, just beware that Etihad will start using a Wamos Air wet lease on EY446/447 (one of two daily AUH-MNL rotations) from 15 Dec 2024.

EY440/441 is still EY operated.

Etihad Adds Leased Wamos Air A330 Service From Dec 2024 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0001GMT 14NOV24 Etihad Airways from December 2024 is adding leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Wamos Air, initially operating service to Manila, followed by Italy. Planned A330-200 aircraft operation as follows. Abu Dhabi – Manila eff 15DEC24 EY446/447 Abu Dhabi – Milan Malp

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[JoshuaL1997]

For those using these fares, just beware that Etihad will start using a Wamos Air wet lease on EY446/447 (one of two daily AUH-MNL rotations) from 15 Dec 2024.

EY440/441 is still EY operated.

Etihad Adds Leased Wamos Air A330 Service From Dec 2024 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0001GMT 14NOV24 Etihad Airways from December 2024 is adding leased Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Wamos Air, initially operating service to Manila, followed by Italy. Planned A330-200 aircraft operation as follows. Abu Dhabi – Manila eff 15DEC24 EY446/447 Abu Dhabi – Milan Malp

www.aeroroutes.com

Just saw this last night, sigh of relief to realise I'm on EY440/441 next month. EY 446/447 was operated on a 787, big down grade to the Wamos A330 in a 2-2-2 layout which looks similar to what Thai Air Asia X has onboard, can be seen here: https://www.executivetraveller.com/airasia-x-airbus-a330-flatbed-premium-review

 

[clifford]

Just as well I've stopped using EY to fly to Europe (due to VA's Velocity changes). However, I've flown these Wamos birds SYD-MNL in business as a PR flight, and it wasn't too bad at all. Certainly no worse than PR's own A330 product.

 

[WGBoy]

My return flight AUH-MNL on 26th April has been scheduled to use the Wamos(A330) for operational reasons. I still prefer the 789 we took last time.

 

[Lewdannie]

Hi,
Looking at booking return J seats for 2 persons - MNL to CDG in Sept - Oct 2025.
Google flights is showing Etihad for A$7189 for 2 persons.
is this a price worth booking now?

Thanks
Dean

 

[JoshuaL1997]

Hi,
Looking at booking return J seats for 2 persons - MNL to CDG in Sept - Oct 2025.
Google flights is showing Etihad for A$7189 for 2 persons.
is this a price worth booking now?

Thanks
Dean

Hey Dean,

Paris may have more demand so the prices remain slightly higher than what I paid to Munich/Geneva but I'd consider comparing the cost from other asian cities where the hard product may be better quality. I can see a deal out of Singapore with Vietnam airline/Air France for about 3600 AUD each in October next year but Etihad also has had deals a few weeks ago out of singapore for 3000-3500 aud each.

Airlines usually have a tough time selling tickets post christmas before the summer boom so we may see cheaper tickets in Jan-March.

 

[Lewdannie]

we may see cheaper tickets in Jan-March.

Good advice, thank you