Guide to MNL / Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport [Merged thread]
Apr 6, 2024, 7:39 pm
#1007
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,198
Plane was held about 30 minutes or so on the taxiway upon landing due to taxiway and gate congestion. Upon disembarking, there were about 15 wheelchair handlers in the jet bridge all saying Hello and Good Morning to everyone - lovely! Immigration wait for foreigners was about 10 minutes or so - they did ask if eTravel was completed but didn’t scan my code. Customs is either a paper form from the plane or the online code from a form linked in eTravel (the customs officer did scan my QR code with his phone). Grab pickup was directly at the T3 Arrivals curb with no wait - 9 USD to Sheraton Manila Bay with Skyway tolls and 3% foreign transaction fee added by Grab.
Apr 7, 2024, 11:03 am
#1008
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
Plane was held about 30 minutes or so on the taxiway upon landing due to taxiway and gate congestion. Upon disembarking, there were about 15 wheelchair handlers in the jet bridge all saying Hello and Good Morning to everyone - lovely! Immigration wait for foreigners was about 10 minutes or so - they did ask if eTravel was completed but didn’t scan my code. Customs is either a paper form from the plane or the online code from a form linked in eTravel (the customs officer did scan my QR code with his phone). Grab pickup was directly at the T3 Arrivals curb with no wait - 9 USD to Sheraton Manila Bay with Skyway tolls and 3% foreign transaction fee added by Grab.
Apr 7, 2024, 4:59 pm
#1009
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,198
Yes, US-issued Visa credit card on Grab - I had read that Grab started charging for foreign cards, so I wasn't surprised. Still worth not having to deal with taxis and cash exchange. Good to know about Departures - my flight to BKK is around Noon, but I'll be staying the last night at the Sheraton close by.
Apr 7, 2024, 7:41 pm
#1010
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,067
It depends on how fast you can deplane and "race" other passengers to Immigration. If one walks slowly or has to stop and use the CR ("comfort room", what restrooms are called in the Philippines), one's wait will likely be on the longer side.
Obviously, it also depends on time of day, which affects arrival volume and Immigration staffing. Our arrivals were around 10:00 p.m.
Apr 8, 2024, 1:04 am
#1013
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,067
Yes, the Hilton Manila to MNL T3 is walkable, depending on weather and amount of luggage.
See Hilton Manila {PHL} (Post # 30-32) (FlyerTalk Hilton Forum)
See Hilton Manila {PHL} (Post # 30-32) (FlyerTalk Hilton Forum)
Apr 14, 2024, 7:07 pm
#1014
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
I'm thinking of booking a CX flight arriving MNL at 16:30 to "connect" with an EY flight to AUH, departing MNL at 19:10. Both flights are using Terminal 3. Separate tickets.
The CX flight seems to have a good on time record, and my feeling from previous transits at MNL is that this should be doable (barring major delays, etc). I'll be HLO, so no checked bags.
As I'm not up to date with any recent developments at NAIA T3 I'm interested to hear if anyone thinks that this is likely to be a problem.
The CX flight seems to have a good on time record, and my feeling from previous transits at MNL is that this should be doable (barring major delays, etc). I'll be HLO, so no checked bags.
As I'm not up to date with any recent developments at NAIA T3 I'm interested to hear if anyone thinks that this is likely to be a problem.
Apr 15, 2024, 7:08 pm
#1015
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
I'm thinking of booking a CX flight arriving MNL at 16:30 to "connect" with an EY flight to AUH, departing MNL at 19:10. Both flights are using Terminal 3. Separate tickets.
The CX flight seems to have a good on time record, and my feeling from previous transits at MNL is that this should be doable (barring major delays, etc). I'll be HLO, so no checked bags.
As I'm not up to date with any recent developments at NAIA T3 I'm interested to hear if anyone thinks that this is likely to be a problem.
The CX flight seems to have a good on time record, and my feeling from previous transits at MNL is that this should be doable (barring major delays, etc). I'll be HLO, so no checked bags.
As I'm not up to date with any recent developments at NAIA T3 I'm interested to hear if anyone thinks that this is likely to be a problem.
Apr 21, 2024, 2:16 pm
#1018
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Kansas City, MO USA
Posts: 22
It must have been too horrible to recall.
My four trips thru MNL this year have been so hassle-free, I almost forgot I was in Manila. Even the new PAL lounge in T1 was a very pleasant surprise!
My four trips thru MNL this year have been so hassle-free, I almost forgot I was in Manila. Even the new PAL lounge in T1 was a very pleasant surprise!
Apr 22, 2024, 2:48 am
#1019
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK/Australia
Programs: BAEC Silver, UA2MM, QF Platinum, VA Platinum., Volare Executive Club
Posts: 2,512
I expect I'll be bored out of my mind at MNL, but will probably have a wander down Newport Blvd and check out the eateries before checking in and visiting the lounge.
Better than missing the flight, and I was concerned about the number of wide-bodies arriving into T3 around the same time as my CX flight. FR24 was a sobering read, and better to be safe than sorry.
Apr 22, 2024, 9:07 am
#1020
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
I am going there next month and now with huge trepidation as not knowing what is going on that is so horrible?