https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9593aa8cd.jpeg
CX lounge as at 25 Jan 2023

Lounge is still closed as of today. The substitute PAGSS lounge which is offered is horrible in comparison to what this used to be like.

With so many CX flights each day to MNL, why don't they open the lounge?

Most of the pax are economy - many on special cheap 'helpers' fares and I suspect that the lounge will not reopen until they have sufficient bums on seats in higher classes to warrant the substantial costs involved in providing a lounge.

If you fly Cathay out of MNL they give you access to the PAGS lounge. It's pretty ......, but it's a lounge. With (some) food and (some) drinks and (passable) internet. I asked last week when the proper lounge would reopen and was told "we are hoping in February" although her expression suggested they they were not that hopeful.

Lounge still closed. No date for reopening.

I flew on 918 yesterday. The check in agent said that they hoped that the lounge would open in March but were not sure. There were 5 flights yesterday, 918 was fully booked. The Immigration Hall was completely packed, lines extending some 30 yards outside. The PAGS lounge was also so full that we had to wait for another flight to leave before we could find a seat. Our flight actually departed with 2 empty seats, one of which was across the aisle from me. Apparently the passengers had checked in with their bags then disappeared. My son said one was a famous artist, certainly not a helper. Of course the majority of the passengers were in economy, this is almost always the case on any flight anywhere. Many of the passengers were connecting to long haul destinations including Bizzo passengers with infants and children. Cathay certainly owes it to its many Bizzo passengers to provide better lounge facilities in Manila than were offered yesterday.

My partner flew on 912 yesterday - the first flight at 08.00.

No need to worry about lounge. Despite arriving at 05.30 and flying J she only just cleared the exit formality chaos to get to the flight. It then left the gate 37 minutes late and taxied for nearly an hour.

To add insult to injury she was charged 1620 pesos travel tax even though Filipino foreign permanent residents are exempt! Easier to stop arguing and pay up rather than further risk missing the flight. MNL seems to be back to the chaos of 10 years ago despite the local news that they are cutting back on travel red tape like combining the entry and customs declaration forms. I noted that the entry form is back to having hotmail and now also gmail contact addresses!

I flew from Manila today. The lounge is still not open. According to the man in charge of Check-in the current target date for opening is April 15. There is a problem with bubbles in the part of the ceiling paint (he said roof but I guess he meant ceiling) , the water, and most of the equipment such as the coffee maker needs replacing.

Been through 5X in last 6 weeks. Work on the CX lounge seems to be progressing at Philippines time - so April 15 2024 might be more plausible

The PAGSS lounge is OKish - certainly as good as The PAL lounge in T2. But post Covid all lounges seem tired.

I walked by last Sunday. The plastic is off the furniture. That is the only sign of progress I've seen to date ;-)

Much progress since.

Just passed by now. (March 3) (On the way to PAGGS lounge.)
Current status: Plastic rolled up in a ball near the front. Cushions being replaced. Lamps turned on.
Check in staff said: "It will open by March 15. We hope!"
Hope springs eternal indeed! 🤞😊

Duplicate

I was worried about this. But CX906 (1050am dep) much calmer. Just a few pax at immigration, no line at security check. Was in lounge within 20 mins of entering T3. Even less international flights at T3 for CX930 (1230noon dep). Take these flights to avoid morning chaos?

Yup, always CX930 for me.

But how about inbound to MNL, which flight is less chaotic? CX919 (16:30PM arrival) is bad. Will be on CX903 (18:30pm arrival) in a couple of weeks.