Hi,

just flew AKL-CNS-MNL-LHR and return.

My itinerary shows baggage as 2 pieces. I'm pretty sure I checked 2 bags returning - the total weight in these 2 bags was less than 23kg though.

Luggage was checked all the way through in both directions.

At Manila you go through a transit process (that is very slow and disorganised) and remain airside. The transfer is not that well signposted, but it's quite obvious as people are leaving the main arrival stream of passengers and there are staff there guiding people.

Food options airside are fairly limited and most places seem to take cash only.

I usually don't transit at MNL but enter the Philippines - mainly because I am a fan of Jolibee and go and get some Chicken Joy from the outlet on the outside of the terminal. It usually amuses immigration when they ask the purpose of my visit and I say to get some Chicken Joy. Security and immigration are typically painless (10 mins max) on re-entry - but a while back there were staffing issues and very long queues. I have not seen reports of issues recently.

Auckland has been having fuel supply issues of issue late and PR has been using a A330 instead of a A320/1 on the MNL-CNS leg.