Just a simple picture essay for those planning to visit someday.
My advice? Try not to arrive around midnight!

I arrived at around 11:30pm. My first thought: this is gonna take some time...
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YDX

Still waiting for my turn
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YE4

Everyone's a diplomat! (or has an APEC card or something)
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEa

Baggage claim area. Flights from Narita, the Middle East and Korea all arriving at the same time makes for chaos
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEc

After exiting the airport terminal, gotta cross the street to reach the pickup area
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEe

Heading to the pickup area. Less people than I expected. Maybe most were still stuck inside the terminal
http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEn

Waiting for my ride at pickup area. Across the street is a place for greeters to wait and catch a glimpse of arriving family and friends.
http://flic.kr/p/8S64rn

Felt old-school, didn't it? That terminal (#1) has been around for ages.

Photoessay for leaving MNL


Approaching MNL airport
http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4s

Car check at airport entrance
http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4u

Car check consists of checking glove compartment. Only.
http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4E

Eticket & passport check to enter airport
http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4L

Bag xray check and metal detector to enter airport terminal building
http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4N

Bag xray check and metal detector to enter airport terminal building
http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7j

Airport lobby
http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7o

OZ checkin counters. Long line!
http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7u

Priority checkin. Thank you *G!
http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7A

Boarding pass check before immigration
http://flic.kr/p/8SXqoj

Long line at immigration!
http://flic.kr/p/8SXqom

Still waiting at immigration. Line was 8 deep and took 30 minutes
http://flic.kr/p/8SXqoo

Document check for immigration
http://flic.kr/p/8SXqow

Bag xray, metal detector & patdown after immigration
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuw

Bag xray, metal detector & patdown after immigration
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuA

Heading toward the terminal wing
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuN

The spectacular duty free area.
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuS

Boarding pass & passport check to go down the terminal wing, just 50m away from the security check after immigration
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuE

Boarding pass, passport & bag check at gate entrance
http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuL

Decided to pass time at the lounge for OZ passengers.
http://flic.kr/p/8SXuAL

FOOD! The variety here is better than the CX lounge I think
http://flic.kr/p/8SXuAQ

Fruit & sandwiches
http://flic.kr/p/8SXuB1

Mushroom soup. Good after a long night of drinking
http://flic.kr/p/8SXuB7

Congee, also your friend after lotsa drinking
http://flic.kr/p/8SXuBb

View from the lounge: CX plane with paintjob I haven't seen before. See you again!
http://flic.kr/p/8SXvFC

Thanks for sharing this, it really brings back memories. It's an old, sticky and sweaty terminal for sure, but I actually find it a little bit charming in a way I'm not really able to explain. Perhaps it's the contrast to many other modern airports in Asia. Though it probably helps that I'm not commuting to and from on a regular basis.

As for departures, they really like to have checks and inspections. It involves a lot of queueing, a lot of it unnecessary such as the local currency cash only departure tax to leave the country. Even Thailand has managed to include this in the ticket.

I did a international to international transfer at this terminal once, which I understand is not that common. The smallest transfer security I have ever seen, I did not need to remove shoes, laptop or liquids. I have the feeling a lot of the security is mostly for display purposes.

Good to know! I'll be visiting MNL for the first time in two months. I'll be sure to get to the airport earlier than usual on my return. How much was the departure tax?

I think the "security" you see in the pix has more to do with keeping people "where they should be" instead or letting them roam or sit around where they want to. If all passengers and their families and friends were allowed to go anywhere they wanted then there it could easily become more chaotic!

Condition One, departure tax was 750PHP. Don't forget to factor in traffic when going to the airport! It can easily take an hour during weekdays if you're in the Makati or Ortigas area. If you travel to/from Terminal 2 your experience may be a bit better. I don't know about Terminal 3 yet, still have to try it out.

Thanks for sharing your trip.