Hi Folks,
Taking a little trip on Qatar Airways (J) and Aer Lingus (Y). Will try include some city photos along the way
Overview
Promised myself I wouldn’t label this trip report ‘Going Home for Xmas’! So as the title reads, I’ll be travelling from The Philippines (Clark Airport – 85km from Manila) to Ireland (Dublin Airport) via Doha and Paris.
While going home for the festive season wasn’t a must, I felt compelled this time. The growing prospect of being disowned by relations for not having sat at the annual ham & turkey feast in over 4 years was weighing on my mind. Also, getting away from Manila at this time of year is nice. Filipinos totally over-do xmas. We’ve had a Christmas tree up in the office since October! No joke.
As all you avid aero-connoisseurs know, travelling at this time of year can be stressful, sometimes harrowing! The hoards returning home from far off places, the looming snow and cancelled flights across Europe, the cabins filled with more baggage than a K Mart warehouse could hold. All activating an inner distress beacon that says, DONT DO IT!
Anyways, I did do it, when Qatar Airway’s launched an incredible business class promotion from Clark International Airport back in the summer. While prices varied relative to airport taxes, most were in the region of $1,800 to any of their European destinations. I chose Charles De Gaulle Airport, Paris as my stopover point back to Dublin. The reason being, I’m familiar with the airport and there is plenty of frequency between Aer Lingus and Air France (CityJet), I chose the former for ‘235’ more reasons. First person to work out where that number comes from gets a prize!
The Overnight (Angeles City)
Original departure time was scheduled for 12:30pm, but about a month ago I received an email to say it was brought forward to 10:30am. The thought of a 5am wake-up didn’t rock my festive boat, so looked into heading north on Saturday afternoon and spending the night. Thereby eliminating the stress of getting out of bed!
I booked my driver, ’Reliable Rick’ (that being his name) for 3pm on Saturday afternoon. As always, Rick was 15 minutes early. So bags get dumped in the truck and I jump in the front seat for a chat, “how longs the drive Rick”? ...”Don’t worry Sir, not too bad, only 90 minutes”. Famous last words, after 15 minutes I could tell this wasn’t going to be a pretty one. Xmas shoppers, an accident and a series of hopeless traffic enforcers turned the journey into 4 hours. Note to self, don’t do that again.
So, we arrive in the city of ‘angels’ under the cover of darkness and Rick drops me off the hotel. Non-descript resting place close to a big mall and the airport. For those of you who may not have heard of this air field before, it was once one of the most active US Airbases outside of United States. A major launching point during the Vietnam War and home to thousands of US troops. The base finally closed in 1991 after disagreements with the government and eruption of Mt Pinatubo volcano.
As we all know, where there were foreign troops in Asia, there were girly bars to service R&R time. Unfortunately, when the troops left 20 years ago, these bars didn’t. I’d heard stories about the place, but couldn’t believe it until I saw for myself. An uncle of mine who is often in Asia on business and who hates the whole nightlife scene, calls Bangkok, ‘the last refuge for the dregs of society’! I like Bangkok I must say and have always laughed at this labelling of it. Walking through the main ‘entertainment’ street, I couldn’t help but think of this tag and felt it should be transferred swiftly to ugly place. I did find a man selling lovely spit-roasted chickens, so snapped one of them up for 120pesos ($2.50) and made my way back to the hotel.
Clark International Airport
The airport is only 3km from the town, so reception ordered me a service taxi for 8:15am. Compared to the capital airport in Manila, the short drive was both pleasant and scenic. The field is still serviced by the Philippines Air Force and unbeknown to me, acts a scrappage facility for retired aircraft. At 8:35am, they were busily crushing the body shell of what looks like an A330. Sitting on the tarmac behind, was another A330, missing both engines and its rudder, no doubt next in line to be butchered.
The terminal is small, but relatively new and spotlessly clean. Seems about a dozen or so international flights depart daily. Emirates did operate a daily non-stop to Dubai, but later pulled the service due to low yields. Most non-domestic flights go Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Qatar is currently the only operator of long-haul services.
There were 5 check-in desks open. Economy class had a small queue, while business was being manned by 2 agents. I was signalled forward and asked the obligatory silly questions, “did I pack my suitcase myself”..., “No, my neighbour did”, at least that’s I wanted to say, but as always smiled politely and said “yes”.
The machine spewed out a boarding pass allocating seat 11B. I had reserved 2A online. I questioned the agent on this and she replied that there had been an aircraft change, the replacement featuring a first class cabin. I asked if they were selling first class on the flight to which she replied “No”. I then asked if I could be seated in one of those first class seats, again, she said “No”. I stopped talking!
International passengers still have to pay a departure tax when departing from any Philippine airport. This can be an awful inconvenience in busy airports at busy times, but this morning there were only 2 flights departing within 2/3 hours, so it was a breeze to process both this and immigration.
I wasn’t holding out much hope with regarding to lounge facilities. The facility offered was on par with what one might expected for an airport with this volume. They had nice fresh soup and brown bread to toast. I was dying for a cup of coffee, but the only thing on offer was one of the Nescafe instant sachets. I’ll pass thanks.
The terminals construction of floor to ceiling glass windows allows for a clear view of the runways and airport perimeter. I did a stroll around the limited shops to buy some dried mangos local trinkets. The glass front allows visitors to snap some nice shots of parked aircraft.
Boarding was soon called and the 15 or so J-pax were first to board.