Is MNL Airport really as bad as it is reported in the media?

[richie9x]

Re: NAIA may no longer be 'worst airport' by end-2012

I just came back from Philippines so thought I would give an update.

Arriving at MNL terminal 1 was surprisingly easy. My bag arrived quickly was able to clear customs in no time at all. Hotel shuttle bus picked me up no trouble.

The next day I flew to Davao on Cebu Pacific. I arrived quite earlier at terminal 3. As mentioned before by others, I had to show itinerary and id to even get access to the terminal. I had already checked in online so just needed to bag drop, just one person in line in front of me so through in no time at all. But the normal queues seemed to be flowing pretty good.

I was quite impressed by terminal 3 it was quite spacious and with a good selection of restaurants and shops. I don't think there were any airline lounges as it is mainly an LCC terminal at the moment. But I was happy to sit at a cafe and use the free airport wifi. Even though the gate had an aerobridge the flight boarded via front and back steps. So likely none of the aerobridges at terminal 3 get used. Just seems a bit of a waste to have only LCCs operating from such a good terminal.

Arriving back via terminal 3 was likewise pretty effortless. Walking through the terminal you could see rows of empty desks for immigration and further desks for customs. All empty as this section was being used for domestic flights now.

Now for the ordeal of departing terminal 1. I had left plenty of time. Even though my hotel was 5km from the terminal it took a good hour to get to the terminal. Most of that time was getting through a traffic jam at the terminal itself. Getting in the terminal I had to line up for the security check at the door. There was a short line for people without luggage trolleys so I was in pretty quickly. If you had a luggage trolley looks like there would be a 10-15 minute wait just to get in terminal.

There was a big display board up with what flights were checking in at which desks, but no mention of QF20. So I just walked around until I saw a Qantas sign. Platinum/Business class check in was at desk 75. Although the Gold/Qantas club check in lane was shorter so I joined it. The main economy line was very long and going very slow, happy I didn't have to go in it.

Then came the departure tax. Simple enough, but there was a long snaking line and it took about 30 minutes to get to the front of. Departure tax was 550 pesos can you could pay by Visa as well which seems like a new option.

At check in I was given an invite to the MIASCOR lounge. I first headed to the Qantas lounge near gate 2 as the flight was departing from there. At the Qantas lounge reception desk I asked about having a shower, but the Qantas lounge didn't have any but I was told the MIASCOR lounge did. So I made my way to the MIASCOR lounge near gate 9. It seems to be fairly big lounge by MNL standards. It was a contract lounge for a few airlines and seemed to be overflow for quite a few more. As Cathay flights were announced there even though Cathay also have their own lounge. It had a small, but had a quality selection of drinks. The food didn't look all that great.

When my flight was called I walked past the Cathay lounge. From just a glimpse at the reception area it looks good. I regret not going in for a better look.

On the whole it didn't seem too bad. In many ways it seemed like Soekarno-Hatta airport. I guess the main issue was the time it took to get airside at terminal 1. Especially the traffic jam outside, check in and departure tax. Maybe one day they will realise that if you get the passengers airside quickly you can turn airside into a shopping mall. There is a lot of room for improvement, but I don't think the title world's worst is justified.

 

[Austman]

MNL is what it is. It's representative of the country in which is located. If you don't like what you read, stay at home. Part of the whole point of travel is to see what it is like elsewhere. And if that means sitting on a seat in the terminal (or perish the thought a substandard lounge) for an hour waiting for your flight, sobeit - bring a good book or a ipad/phone/pod loaded with whatever you're interested in. That hour will go quickly - and from experience there are seats you can find in quiet corners of the airport that allow you to do just that. But you won't find a nice QP with Neil Perry inspired party pies, a pancake maker, a shower or two and a few of your favourite brands of beer or wine - but if that's what you want or need - stay at home - or at best don't extend beyond HKG/SIN/KUL.

My Manila T1 experience had nothing whatsover to do with the rest of recent Manila trip. Manila T1 is cough from start to finish. But it works. As for the rest of Manila - that's a very different story! I loved it.

 

[jetlagger]

My Manila T1 experience had nothing whatsover to do with the rest of recent Manila trip. Manila T1 is cough from start to finish. But it works. As for the rest of Manila - that's a very different story! I loved it.

Certainly depends on which side of Manila you frequent.. There is the good, the bad & the very ugly.. Depends on your wants, needs & expectations.. But most of all your tolerance level!
Have done the T1, T2 & T3, & 'old domestic" terminal, arrival, departure & transit options 300+ x mark with all different carriers & aircraft types. The point in question of all the MNL airports is that simply..Sometimes it works smoothly, at other times the Sh!# can hit the fan, with delays & cancellations etc.. Try flying in & out of MNL during typhoon season, or any frequent holiday 'season" not to mention any of the flights to & from & between the Provinces.. I always have some contingency plans up my sleeve, just in case!

 

[horseman]

It sucks, all the bad reviews you have ever read about the place are all true