Same flight turnaround in Manila
 

Hi there

I'm just curious to see if anyone has tried a same flight turn around in Manila? (i.e. I'm on a flight to Manila CX 903 landing at 1905, and was looking to possibly book CX902 back to Hong Kong at 2015). I was thinking you could basically transit in terminal 2 in Manila, but would love to hear from anyone who has done this before (or would recommend against this altogether).

Thanks

CX use T3 at Manila.

Thankfully —/ because it is less bad than T2 which is The Philippine Airlines terminal at MNL

You haven’t explained why you would wish to attempt such a weird scheme.

Forget Plan A. The chances of clearing immigration unless you are a Diplomat before your proposed flight check in closes is remote.

Some days it takes 3 hours from check in to clearing Immigration at MNL

Whatever your objective dream on. I’d be nervous if even scheduling the first CX direct flight the next day:…….

Sorry - I meant land in terminal 3 with CX903, transit immediately without going through immigration and head back to HK on CX902.

I was flying MNL-HKG-JFK-HKG-MNL, and needed to stay a week in MNL for work, but plans have now changed and CX says I can’t change the final HKG MNL sector to another day. So was wondering if I could just buy a one sector ticket back to HKG that same night, rather than staying one more day in MNL!

Everything you have heard on FT about PH immigration and MNL airport efficiency is true.

I would just try to short check and end the itinerary at HKG.

Short Check or overnight or LCC
 

As above Short Check

I see zero prospect of you turning round with that flight. I’ve been through MNL on CX 3 times in the last 4 weeks. I got from Makati to sitting in lounge in 45 minutes last Sunday. My partner took 3 hours from entering airport to boarding with plane waiting for other passengers too, a couple of Tuesdays back for the 08.00 flight.

If you can’t face an LCC option plenty of hotels in walking distance at Resorts World Newport across The Bridge. The Belmont is probably the best cheap option. Or if you have IHG points The HIX.

Years ago, Pre Covid and Pre terminal 3 (was terminal 1 at the time) , I was able to do same airplane turnaround in Manila. It was an unusual situation. I had a MNL-HKG-LAX-HKG-MNL business fare with a confirmed F upgrade on the HKG - LAX. I ended having to go to Bangkok (from Manila) and then I was in HKG for a couple of days. I wanted to continue to LAX (and forfeit the MNL-HKG) - but they would not let me use my ticket unless I originated in MNL for the return as this was a MNL origin based fare . Would have been a massive fare difference. I had the extra few hours to do the turnaround.
So I flew HKG-MNL to the catch MNL-HKG- LAX. CX arranged for someone to meet me at arrival in MNL and escort me through transit to re-board the same plane I just arrived in. On top of that I had luggage, and they had the luggage do the turnaround as well. It all worked out.

The arrangements were made for me at the FC lounge. Today, I doubt any one on the call center reps would know how to do this. But if you find yourself at HKG airport, perhaps you can ask them there,

You still need to go through an immigration check prior to transferring, if you can i suggest doing 919 and catch 902 back just in case. Hopefully the lounge would be open by then,

Pre-pandemic i was able to do it, with luggage but it took a lot of effort from the ground staff as they personally had to get my bag and retag it for the flight back to HK. Would help if you can get CX to inform MNL Ground about this request, also you can ask the ISM to send an ACARS to MNL when you guys are enroute. To be honest If you can short check the luggage and terminate the trip in HK it would be the best, or if you need the Club Points just short check the luggage to HK, have your baggage stored (i am not sure if the storage counter in HKIA is operational already) then do the turn around, that way ground staff in manila wont have to deal with your luggage in MNL.

In my experience, an immigration office asked me why I was doing a turn around before waiving me through to the security check then back up to departure level.

If you have an APEC card, immigration lines are very short and you'll be done in 2-5 minutes.

If you don't, the standard line, which thankfully I've never had to use, is a complete disaster.

Hi there,

I am also looking at doing a similar thing, HKG - Manila - HKG on CX, and same plane turnaround without luggage.

Is it true you need to clear immigration, even if you are just transiting within the same terminal? Usually you don't clear immigration ( in other countries) as you're technically not entering the country.

Ideally would like to go back to back on the same aircraft.

If anyone else has further info on this for Manila Terminal 3 that would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

When I flew in on PAL everyone had to clear immigration. I assume this is true for all terminals and all airlines.

Is there arrivals fast track for business class passengers in T 3 at all ?

No immigration fast track for J passengers.

.......but there is for aged and or infirm and they are fairly lenient
Arriving at terminal 3 I have never had much of a delay and I do the flight at least once a month - plenty of desks open just for 'foreigners' never had much of a delay.

Thanks for the replies all. Once you clear immigration, is there a transfers channel which feeds you back into the departures area? Or do you actually have to go fully out and come back in as if you had just checked in?

Thanks!