Qf19 & qf20

[banger2]

Can you tell me more about the 'departure gate bag checks' ? Is it weight, or just a going-through of the carry-ons?

Looks like a wash on board if after a day in MNL and the airport stuff there's not even a private bathroom at the lounge.

I understand this bag check is for the Aus Govt mandated liquids check before boarding...same as mentioned in HKG. I think SIN does the same except they use the Xray machines rather than hand inspections.

Further on from that....a couple of points if you haven't been to PI before....you need to present your passport and itinerary to get inside the terminal building to check in. After check-in, prior to immigration, you need to pay the terminal fee. Last time I was in MNL it was USD or Peso - cash only, but they may now take more foreign currencies (?). Also, when departing MNL, you have to remove your shoes and put them through the Xrays after immigration....biggest PITA! Whilst MNL T1 is a very...ancient...terminal, I don't mind it...other than the shoe check (IMO a pointless exercise) and the gate bag check (AUS requirement, not PI). I'm lucky I've never been significantly delayed through MNL check-in (although being able to use the Business check-in for any flight is a godsend in the hugely busy check-in hall!) / immigration procedures. All that just matches life in Philippines....their bureaucrats love paperwork, policy and procedures!

As for the lounges...I mirror those other comments here. Both QF and CX lounges are small, basic, with minimal food and drink, and as others stated I don't recall a bathroom in either lounge. I'm sure excluding the volume of usage (QF is 4 flights a week?), maybe the ancient and capacity exceeded terminal (T1) doesn't help the situation.

 

[banger2]

There have been reports that T3 will be in full operation by the end of this year; but then they have been saying that for 5+ years...

Last time I was in T3, I really couldn't imagine how much more successful it would be over T1. Whilst it is larger, newer (its still I think getting on to 10 years old now because of the construction debacle!) and with more gates than T1...but it seems the gates have less seating than T1 and the seating is woeful (the same as the mid aged Philippine Airlines T2), the check-in area seems too small / cramped for a full scale international terminal handling supposedly 13 million people per year. Also the immigration area was woeful....it is very enclosed with low roof, not very deep but it is quite long. My last arrival there, the immigration delays were quite tiresome. On the plus side, the transport options outside are much clearer and less cramped. I have no idea if they have allocated spaces for the various airlines lounges.

Doing a little research on T3, it seems the only change since I was last there in 2011 is ANA is now using the terminal. All other international are still using T1/T2. I can't believe when I first visited MNL in 2004, I looked across to T3 after using the abysmal Domestic Terminal and T1 hoping it would be open soon.....and for the vast majority of International carriers / flights...it still isn't!

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for that additional info on the terminal.. It will be my first time there and knowing what the proceedures are always helps.

While we are on the subject ... Are there such things as 'Express Lines'for J pax, with chits handed out by the airlines?

Also, for an 8:30pm Saturday departure, what would be a 'safe' time for taking a taxi from downtown and getting past check-in, security etc? Are taxis the way to go? I'm staying at the Sofitel Phils Plaza. (Yeah, haven't done much research at all yet!)

 

[richie9x]

At MNL Qantas has one business class and one Qantas Club check in lanes.

From what I recall there is no express lane for business class for departure tax, immigration or security. I think there is an express lane for APAC business travel cards and diplomats.

Some taxis can be a bit hit and miss, although I have had pretty good experiences with them. Some people opt for the hotel cars instead taxis.

 

[whughes3]

Further on from that....a couple of points if you haven't been to PI before....you need to present your passport and itinerary to get inside the terminal building to check in. After check-in, prior to immigration, you need to pay the terminal fee. Last time I was in MNL it was USD or Peso - cash only, but they may now take more foreign currencies (?). Also, when departing MNL, you have to remove your shoes and put them through the Xrays after immigration....biggest PITA! Whilst MNL T1 is a very...ancient...terminal, I don't mind it...other than the shoe check (IMO a pointless exercise) and the gate bag check (AUS requirement, not PI). I'm lucky I've never been significantly delayed through MNL check-in (although being able to use the Business check-in for any flight is a godsend in the hugely busy check-in hall!) / immigration procedures. All that just matches life in Philippines....their bureaucrats love paperwork, policy and procedures!

As for the lounges...I mirror those other comments here. Both QF and CX lounges are small, basic, with minimal food and drink, and as others stated I don't recall a bathroom in either lounge. I'm sure excluding the volume of usage (QF is 4 flights a week?), maybe the ancient and capacity exceeded terminal (T1) doesn't help the situation.

One minor blessing; you no longer have to take your shoes off for the security screening. Also, you can pay the terminal fee with credit cards (MC/Visa); well, MOST of the time you can, except when their machines are down, as happened to me in February!

And there definitely is a bathroom in the QF lounge.

 

[RooFlyer]

And there definitely is a bathroom in the QF lounge.

Praise be and hallelujah, brother!

 

[BD1959]

At MNL Qantas has one business class and one Qantas Club check in lanes.

From what I recall there is no express lane for business class for departure tax, immigration or security. I think there is an express lane for APAC business travel cards and diplomats.

Some taxis can be a bit hit and miss, although I have had pretty good experiences with them. Some people opt for the hotel cars instead taxis.

I would definitely opt for the Hotel Cars over Taxis any day. Not only do they tend to be better vehicles, the major hotels have a "Lounge style" room for you to wait in - plus they'll handle your luggage. Air Con in the cars is a must for when you're stuck in the MNL traffic ... allow extra time for the journey back to the Airport!

If you've still not booked a hotel - can thoroughly recommend the Shangri La in Makati City.

Regards,

BD

 

[RooFlyer]

I would definitely opt for the Hotel Cars over Taxis any day. Not only do they tend to be better vehicles, the major hotels have a "Lounge style" room for you to wait in - plus they'll handle your luggage. Air Con in the cars is a must for when you're stuck in the MNL traffic ... allow extra time for the journey back to the Airport!

If you've still not booked a hotel - can thoroughly recommend the Shangri La in Makati City.

Regards,

BD

Thanks. Sofitel on the waterfront

 

[vmile]

My apologies for side tracking the thread, but we seem to have some MNL experts here.

QF's airport guide for, and some other web sites, refer to, there being showers in the Club Manlla and Sampaguita Lounges, Level 4, T1 "Cost starts at US5".

We are on QF19 in September, arriving MNL at 1700hrs. We are transiting MNL only, our next flight, seperate ticket, is with Etihad,in J, 6 hrs later, at 0115hrs, also T1.

I assume we will need to get our bags from QF19, but then do we need to exit through Customs and go landside, and come back in to check in for the Etihad flight (presuming the check in is open that far ahead of our flight) or can we use/access, after getting our bags from QF19, the MNL Transit desk, airside and not have to leave airside?

There are references to the MNL transit desk having 'rooms with showers' that you can use/rent. Does anyone know about these, and if you can 'book' them?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[whughes3]

I am not sure about the transfer arrangements; however, note that the lounge QF use is definitely not the same as the one used by Diners/Etihad etc. You will often encounter people wandering about the terminal airside touting lounge access for a fee. The only lounge I have ever found offering a shower is the "Miascor" lounge near gate 9; as I noted above, QF seem to use this as a de facto "First lounge", and a few other airlines seem to use it (notably SV & HA); it used to accessible via Diners, but I don't think that applies any more.

(NB..the airport code is MNL, not MHL).

 

[vmile]

Thanks whughes3, oops MHL is Marshall MO, USA, which would be a bit of a detour, but probably good for SC. Corrected now.

And I was wrong to assume that QF who describe their lounge at MNL, as "operated by Pagstop" would be the Pagstop Lounge.

The QF lounge is supposed to be on Level 3, near Gate2, and is a seperate lounge, (might be shared with KE at times).

The Pagstop Lounge used by Etihad/Diners Club and others is supposed to be on Level 4.

My bad, sorry.

 

[banger2]

My apologies for side tracking the thread, but we seem to have some MNL experts here.

QF's airport guide for, and some other web sites, refer to, there being showers in the Club Manlla and Sampaguita Lounges, Level 4, T1 "Cost starts at US5".

We are on QF19 in September, arriving MNL at 1700hrs. We are transiting MNL only, our next flight, seperate ticket, is with Etihad,in J, 6 hrs later, at 0115hrs, also T1.

I assume we will need to get our bags from QF19, but then do we need to exit through Customs and go landside, and come back in to check in for the Etihad flight (presuming the check in is open that far ahead of our flight) or can we use/access, after getting our bags from QF19, the MNL Transit desk, airside and not have to leave airside?

There are references to the MNL transit desk having 'rooms with showers' that you can use/rent. Does anyone know about these, and if you can 'book' them?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Hi There,
I don't know if this info is still totally current or useful....

My last transit in MNL was about 18 months ago. The transit desk is just before the immigration / passport control desks. When I transferred they actually sent a guy with my bag tags and general description of my bag to go retrieve my bags from the belt, they brought it back to me at the transfer desk to confirm correct bag, then went and checked it in to my onward flight for me! My situation differed to yours as I think it was a little over 1 hour transit time for me. I imagine if you don't want to exit the airport, then they may very well retrieve your bags and store them until check-in is open (I'm sure they will let you know the procedure....Filipino's have a love / hate relationship with "procedures" LOL). I cant help you on the rooms with shower from my personal experience, sorry, but is this what you saw?

"I will arrive in the evening at NAIA Terminal 1 and my connecting flight will depart at mid-morning the following day. Is there a place inside the terminal where I can be comfortable, catch some sleep and be able to freshen up while waiting for my flight?
[FONT=Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif]NAIA Terminal 1 has a Day Room intended for transit passengers. It offers basic amenities including shower rooms for a comfortable overnight stay. The Day Room is located near the Transfer Desk. Inform the staff at the Transfer Desk for you to be endorsed to the Day Room."[/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif]http://125.60.203.88/miaa/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=78&Itemid=89[/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif]Sounds like the transfer staff can help in that, doesn't sound like you need to book, and I would imagine most people that know would prefer not to transit MNL - I love airports but would prefer to transit elsewhere. Mind you, as it is called a "day" room, hopefully it is not a literal "day only" room, but more "stay a day" room! The transit area, in my 20+ visits to Phils, I have never noted to be even close to busy, so maybe if the day room is available it wouldn't be too busy either. Most Filipino's are very helpful to foreigners, especially to Aussies who may be able to help them get a job in Australia (cant we all) LOL!
[/FONT]
I guess depending on what they do to your check-in bags, you may not have access to any other level in the terminal until you have completed check-in for your onward flight as you have to go through a re-screening / xray procedure to get up to departures level. So you may not have access to "Club Manila and Sampaguita Lounges" until after you hold your onward boarding pass (probably still at 3hrs prior to flight?). That's just a guess...not fact, other than the re-screening bit!

Have a look at the Terminal 1 section of NAIA webite....
NAIA Terminal 1

[FONT=Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif]Hope that is of some help, let us know how you went when you return.[/FONT]

[FONT=Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif]Ash[/FONT]

 

[vmile]

Hi banger2/ash,

thank you so much for the information regarding transiting T1. We really do not fancy sitting 'outside' waiting for our check-in desk to open.

I had seen the NAIA Terminal web page, but had not read the FAQ, so thank you for that.

I have since found this quote,

"According to Terminal 1 Manager Dante Basanta, the NAIA-1 had a “dayroom” decades ago, rented at P840 per day ($20) and located near the arrival area, just beside the duty-free shops.
(The “dayroom” is still there, available for those who may want to use it, although it’s not being properly advertised by airport authorities. Most of the time, however, the area is used as a holding room for those scheduled for deportation and who are awaiting their flights.)"

Sounds promising.

Again, many thanks.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just to finish off for me.

Fairly easy time through Manila international terminal 1. Small queue to enter terminal an X-ray bags. Bit chaotic at check-in, but Qantas area orderly, 2 hrs before departure.

Then to pay 550 peso departure fee, then immigration. Both times only 1 person in front of me.

Bag security check was frighteningly lax. No taking out of computers, no close attention being taken to looking at what the x ray reveals. I beeped in the metal detector, but only had the usual pat down, and on my way.

At check in, I asked for and got a pass to the Miriscor lounge. A bit grotty, but food offerings looked OK and basic sprits and soft drinks. Bathroom, although not all that inviting. Wi fi easy to get on to.

Swung by the QF lounge. Smaller and better lit, but more limited food offerings. I couldn't connect to Wi fi, so I ventured next door to the CX lounge, which was cool and completely empty. Only basic drinks. Wi fi open. No toilet.

In future I would go to the Miriscor, then to CX immediately before flight.

Both QF 19 and 20 A320s with MK1 sky beds. No PJs offered!

 

[mannej]

What time were the flights?

 

[RooFlyer]

QF 19 dep SYD 10:20 am ; QF 20 dep MNL 8:20pm, arr SYD 6:15am.

 

[mikejr]

I did the SYD-MNL-SYD a couple of weeks ago and was perhaps not as lucky with the queues - huge line up outside the airport just to get in, again they want to x-ray all your bags but no-one was even watching the screen!

QF Bus check-in was only 1 person but the line for economy must have been over 100 people deep (half way across the airport) - poor buggers.

Then yes the queue to pay your departure tax, the queue for immigration and then the queue for another pointless security check (men in one line and women in another)

I just went to the QF 'lounge' but that is another story and thread perhaps (with photos)

Then another huge queue to get your hand baggage searched and another pat-down, I have not been frisked as much since the US!

J on board is fine, but as you mention no pj's (I have loads but thought no worries I will get another set, so no need to bring any) pretty poor really as it is a 'whole' night flight, they give you the bed, and the mattress service but no the pj's - for $3K fare come on QF.

Food on board was fine, slept through the 'cafe breakfast' sounds like the best move, easy arrival in SYD and a fast exit in under 15mins

 

[RooFlyer]

Trip report here

 

[Inver]

And there definitely is a bathroom in the QF lounge.

It's large bathroom but only 1 toilet means there is usually always people waiting as more people arrive for their QF20 flight.
You have to be careful not to use too much toilet paper as it will easily clog.

 

[Inver]

And I was wrong to assume that QF who describe their lounge at MNL, as "operated by Pagstop" would be the Pagstop Lounge.

The QF lounge is supposed to be on Level 3, near Gate2, and is a seperate lounge, (might be shared with KE at times).

The Pagstop Lounge used by Etihad/Diners Club and others is supposed to be on Level 4.

My bad, sorry.

IMO the quality of the food in the Pagstop lounge is not as good as the QF lounge.