Qantas giveth and then taketh away [Send PAX to PAGSS lounge at MNL rather than better CX]

[onemore]

At Manila airport a few months back Qantas moved from terminal 1 to terminal 3, which in short as far as the lounges go was a blessing, because no more did one have to endure the hovel which was the lounge in terminal 1.

The lounge we were granted access to in terminal 3 was the Cathay Pacific lounge, a real treat I thought.

That access is now gone and the PAGSS lounge is where access is now, where even the wifi is struggling with 10 people.

I just love enhancements.

 

[Scarlett]

Access under oneworld rules still available? Would've thought they can't trade that one away. QF can direct J pax as they see fit, but *O rules still apply for suitably qualified FFers.

 

[opusman]

Unless CX are claiming they have capacity problems like in SFO...

 

[Deleted member]

So the best option would be to fly CX through Manila

 

[albatross710]

So the best option would be to fly CX through Manila

that's if the lounge access is the only consideration. Direct flight from an Australian port saves 3-4 hours on the journey which can easily offset the price of a coffee and sandwich in the lounge.

but with that in mind, my next trip to Manila is with CX because I also need to go to meetings in HK as well as Makati.

 

[whughes3]

Qantas actually moved to MNL T3 in October last year...

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-moves-to-manila-airport-terminal-3-and-a-much-better-lounge

They have always specified the PAGSS lounge as their primary lounge, though as noted in this article, the CX lounge has been (and presumably still is) on option for all except QC members.

That said, there are still good reasons to NOT fly QF to MNL which is why I don't any more.

 

[albatross710]

Qantas actually moved to MNL T3 in October last year...

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-moves-to-manila-airport-terminal-3-and-a-much-better-lounge

That said, there are still good reasons to NOT fly QF to MNL which is why I don't any more.

Can you explain what you mean with this statement?

 

[onemore]

Qantas actually moved to MNL T3 in October last year...

https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-moves-to-manila-airport-terminal-3-and-a-much-better-lounge

They have always specified the PAGSS lounge as their primary lounge, though as noted in this article, the CX lounge has been (and presumably still is) on option for all except QC members.

That said, there are still good reasons to NOT fly QF to MNL which is why I don't any more.

On my last 4 trips out of Manila I have always had the option of Cathay, or PAGSS which is the poverty pack.

 

[whughes3]

Can you explain what you mean with this statement?

My main objections are:
1) the continued use of the domestic-format 332;s on this route quite unacceptable IMHO.
2) the fact that you arrive at MNL in the middle of evening rush hour, which makes getting to your ultimate destination a bit of a nightmare.

Edited to add: nearly forgot the "elephant in the room": for me, having to transit in SYD!

 

[whughes3]

On my last 4 trips out of Manila I have always had the option of Cathay, or PAGSS which is the poverty pack.

The OP asserted that CX access was no longer available, which is not correct.

 

[oz_mark]

My main objections are:
1) the continued use of the domestic-format 332;s on this route quite unacceptable IMHO.

Do Qantas have such a thing?

 

[ajw373]

Do Qantas have such a thing?

Yes. Biggest difference is no fixed IFE in economy and if memory serves me right in business class the type of material used in the seats.

 

[whughes3]

Yes. Biggest difference is no fixed IFE in economy and if memory serves me right in business class the type of material used in the seats.

..and there is only one toilet in J.

 

[Melburnian1]

My main objections are:
1) the continued use of the domestic-format 332;s on this route quite unacceptable IMHO.
2) the fact that you arrive at MNL in the middle of evening rush hour, which makes getting to your ultimate destination a bit of a nightmare.

Edited to add: nearly forgot the "elephant in the room": for me, having to transit in SYD!

The A333s were being used quite a lot to MNL recently, but 04 and 19 July were/are the scheduled uses I can see on FR245, so the vast majority of QF19/QF20 flights at present are A332s.

PR has just reintroduced its excellent A333s (more recent builds than the QF ones, and refurbished with 1-2-1 lie flat in J and seven across W class) on SYD - MNL and stopped using the A321neos that had a small also lie flat J cabin (12 seats, 2-2 seating.)

The twice weekly PR A333 flight ex MEL at 0440 hours (PR208) is not my favourite time to depart Oz in the slightest, but as whughes3 correctly states, an arrival at a time like 1100 is vastly preferable to one at 1830 (QF19) as the traffic in Metro Manila at that time is s-l-o-w. There's also a PR flight on some days (PR214) departing SYD at 0600 hours that should also see one travelling around Manila when there's less traffic on the roads than at 1930 of an evening. It's no fun rising at 0100 or 0200 for such flights but it's worse to be hardly moving in road traffic in cities lacking suitable railways.

 

[getluv]

Err. I'm not sure what more QF can do re lounge in order to service one flight a day in an airport that has been voted one of the worst. QC membership is not a membership tier in oneworld. QF G and above can use the CX lounge.

@Melburnian1/ @whughes3 - MNL is very slot controlled and QF ran into issues when they started to increase frequencies on the route. Given QF's operations and the ability connect both to SYD and on the MNL end, this is a logical timing from a timetable and business perspective. I don't think this is going to get any better unless they start flights from another port. Also transiting through SYD is usually fast and effective than what most people make it out to be. The timing of QF20 is also perfect.

@whughes3 - QF tend to play the A330s lottery with this route. You can get any of the four versions of the A332s or the A333. Mostly because QF19/20 are always full and it is [mostly] a leisure destination.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I'm confused....what option has been taken away?

I've never used PAGSS lounge in T3...even on some days where multiple CX flights have been cancelled turning the CX lounge into a zoo the desk girls have politely asked me to use another lounge, or if I prefer to use CX then apologising for how busy it is.

Regarding aircraft, QF19/20 have copped terrible options since I started flying to MNL in 2014. During the 333 refurb period QF19/20 always got the non-refurbed aircraft right up until the last few were completed, and now for most of 2019 the domestic 332s have been assigned. AJ really has it in for MNL, or the lack of competition from the national carrier meant he can allocate the bare minimum of aircraft for this route.

Regarding arrival time there really is no issue with major traffic delays unless you arrive on a Friday or before a national holiday. When possible I arrive Sat/Sun which has no peak traffic at all (for departures too). The new sky way toll road also helps.

Everyone knows not to travel or schedule any meetings on a Friday in metro Manila unless you can walk!