Guide to MNL / Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport [Merged thread]
Nov 10, 2015, 11:07 pm
#436
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SFO, MNL, SIN, HAM
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 488
I have a flight from MNL to KUL on Malaysia Airlines departing at 13:20pm(terminal 1). I have the option of flying AirAsia from PPS on the same day arriving at MNL(terminal 3) at 9:20am, which will give me 4 hours to change terminals and check in my luggage for the next flight. I have read online that MNL suffers from major plane delays and traffic jams between terminals. At that time in the morning, will it be hard to take a taxi from one terminal to the next? Is there a free airport bus shuttle service?
The 2nd option is to fly from PPS the day before arriving at the same time into MNL, but then will have to take a taxi into Manila City, stay in an hotel, and then take a taxi back to the airport next day for KUL flight.
The 2nd option is to fly from PPS the day before arriving at the same time into MNL, but then will have to take a taxi into Manila City, stay in an hotel, and then take a taxi back to the airport next day for KUL flight.
PAL flies into T2,which is much closer to T1 and arrives 1h earlier than AirAsia, making the transfer easier and safer. That's what I'd do for a connection to KUL.
Domestic flights can be cancelled/delayed and if I'd connect to an expensive long-haul flight with less frequent connections than KUL, I'd arrive the night before and stay at airport hotel near T3 (Marriott, Remington). Also, there will be lots of cancellations during APEC Nov 15-19.
Nov 10, 2015, 11:13 pm
#437
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SFO, MNL, SIN, HAM
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 488
APEC Summit 2015. Obama, Putin, Xin Ping and friends...
During Nov 17,19 and 20 it's gonna be a mess, noFly zones, lots of security, traffic jams...
Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, TigerAir cancelled HUNDREDS of flights...
The question now is, what do we do? I am arriving MNL on Nov 20 at noon. Worst time ever.
I have nonrefundable bookings, etc...
During Nov 17,19 and 20 it's gonna be a mess, noFly zones, lots of security, traffic jams...
Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, TigerAir cancelled HUNDREDS of flights...
The question now is, what do we do? I am arriving MNL on Nov 20 at noon. Worst time ever.
I have nonrefundable bookings, etc...
Nov 11, 2015, 9:11 pm
#438
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
Just through MNL a couple more times. The locals have really gone all out wrapping their luggage in Saran Wrap in reaction to the whole bullet planting blackmail scandal. I saw several women walking around terminal 1 with their purses wrapped in Saran Wrap, hanging on their shoulders which looked almost comical. If nothing else, the bullet planting blackmail scandal has been a boon for the luggage wrapping business.
Nov 11, 2015, 9:56 pm
#439
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Your posts are great ^, you don't post nearly enough 
Flying to HKG over American Thanksgiving, but can't see myself spending 10 days there (as much as I love Hong Kong).
Deciding between Thailand and PI for a few days, and this may have tipped the scale. Just may have to check this out
Don't carry contraband of any sort, so if NO fingerings on bullets .....
Or am I underestimating the power of PI's corruption
Deciding between Thailand and PI for a few days, and this may have tipped the scale. Just may have to check this out
Don't carry contraband of any sort, so if NO fingerings on bullets .....
Or am I underestimating the power of PI's corruption
Nov 17, 2015, 9:57 am
#440
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC/CEB
Posts: 391
Your posts are great ^, you don't post nearly enough
Flying to HKG over American Thanksgiving, but can't see myself spending 10 days there (as much as I love Hong Kong).
Deciding between Thailand and PI for a few days, and this may have tipped the scale. Just may have to check this out
Don't carry contraband of any sort, so if NO fingerings on bullets .....
Or am I underestimating the power of PI's corruption
Flying to HKG over American Thanksgiving, but can't see myself spending 10 days there (as much as I love Hong Kong).
Deciding between Thailand and PI for a few days, and this may have tipped the scale. Just may have to check this out
Don't carry contraband of any sort, so if NO fingerings on bullets .....
Or am I underestimating the power of PI's corruption
According to some news reports, the extortion amounts have gone as low as 1-2k PHP these days. If you are keen on PI, you can try flying into CEB. CX flies there from HKG. It's not a guarantee but no one has been scammed with any bullet planting there yet.
I've been in and out of MNL T3 (both int'l & domestic) the past few weeks and I saw what Mabuk dan gila saw. I even saw some people duct taping the zipers on their luggage. It's a bit nerve racking and stressful going through security making sure I kept a constant eye on my luggage all the time.
Nov 17, 2015, 9:00 pm
#441
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
I think you are According to some news reports, the extortion amounts have gone as low as 1-2k PHP these days.
If you are keen on PI, you can try flying into CEB. CX flies there from HKG. It's not a guarantee but no one has been scammed with any bullet planting there yet.
According to some news reports, the extortion amounts have gone as low as 1-2k PHP these days. If you are keen on PI, you can try flying into CEB. CX flies there from HKG. It's not a guarantee but no one has been scammed with any bullet planting there yet.
But I'm sure I'll return to PI - after all, I've been a few times, and really like the fact that almost everyone speaks at least some English ^
Dec 1, 2015, 2:03 am
#442
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 91
Wait Times: NAIA 3 Anyone use Fast Track?
Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone could chime in on their latest experience with
NAIA 3 with regards to arrival and departure wait times?
I will be landing at 4:40 pm on Dec.10 Thurs. How long do you think it would take from landing (to pick-up bags) to out the door for a cab?
For departure I'm looking at Dec.15 Tues. 8:45 am also at NAIA 3. going from MNL-HKG, Should I get there 3 hours before the flight? Any guess of how much time it would take to get through all the lines at that time in the morning?
Also, anyone use the Fast Track service? Either arriving or departing, would you say it's worth it?
Thanks much! -Cheers.
I was wondering if anyone could chime in on their latest experience with
NAIA 3 with regards to arrival and departure wait times?
I will be landing at 4:40 pm on Dec.10 Thurs. How long do you think it would take from landing (to pick-up bags) to out the door for a cab?
For departure I'm looking at Dec.15 Tues. 8:45 am also at NAIA 3. going from MNL-HKG, Should I get there 3 hours before the flight? Any guess of how much time it would take to get through all the lines at that time in the morning?
Also, anyone use the Fast Track service? Either arriving or departing, would you say it's worth it?
Thanks much! -Cheers.
Dec 3, 2015, 2:49 am
#443
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 585
For departure I'm looking at Dec.15 Tues. 8:45 am also at NAIA 3. going from MNL-HKG, Should I get there 3 hours before the flight? Any guess of how much time it would take to get through all the lines at that time in the morning?
Last week, it took me less than 15 minutes from getting out of taxi at 7.30 am to entering airline lounge in sterile area.
Also, anyone use the Fast Track service? Either arriving or departing, would you say it's worth it?
Dec 3, 2015, 2:57 pm
#444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,685
Jan 1, 2016, 6:09 pm
#445
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott Ambassador (LT Plat) | National Exec Elite | Global Entry | HH Silver
Posts: 419
Bullet Scam Continuing?
I'm leaving for Manila in a couple of weeks and am curious on what the latest on the bullet scam news is. Media attention from what I can find has died down about it but is that because it is old news now or has the scam has stopped for the time being because of the attention it has gotten the last couple of months?
Jan 7, 2016, 1:23 am
#446
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Scotland
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 476
I'm leaving for Manila in a couple of weeks and am curious on what the latest on the bullet scam news is. Media attention from what I can find has died down about it but is that because it is old news now or has the scam has stopped for the time being because of the attention it has gotten the last couple of months?
Just give them a few weeks and they will have a new scam going, the bullets weren't the first scam at MNL and they certainly won't be the last.
Just keep everything in your sight at all times and say no to any offers of "help"
Jan 11, 2016, 6:13 am
#447
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,934
According to this link, there was a news blackout enforced by airport management, plus also mentions the possibility of another scam in the works.
http://pinoytrendingnews.net/warning...ala/#arvlbdata
http://pinoytrendingnews.net/warning...ala/#arvlbdata
Last edited by KIXman; Jan 11, 2016 at 6:14 am
Jan 11, 2016, 7:54 am
#448
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Scotland
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 476
According to this link, there was a news blackout enforced by airport management, plus also mentions the possibility of another scam in the works.
http://pinoytrendingnews.net/warning...ala/#arvlbdata
http://pinoytrendingnews.net/warning...ala/#arvlbdata
Stay classy Manila
Jan 11, 2016, 7:58 am
#449
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,934
Did you see this one? http://pinoytrendingnews.net/another...ist/#arvlbdata
There are (were?) big signboards at the taxi stands showing how much one should expect to pay to get to various destinations; have these been taken down by any chance?
Jan 11, 2016, 8:09 am
#450
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Scotland
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 476
They of course deny it but they deny everything anyway even after getting caught.
Just to add, it would seem the bullet scam is still ongoing.
http://www.mb.com.ph/ofw-bound-for-s...ition-at-naia/
Last edited by chris19992; Jan 11, 2016 at 8:23 am