Cheap return flights to Manila, Philippines from Melbourne and Sydney.
Examples:
Depart Melbourne 2nd Dec 2020 Return 17th Dec 2020 Total cost $229.22
Depart Sydney 24th Nov 2020 Return 8th Dec 2020 Total cost $273.78
Cebu Pacific is a low cost carrier. Luggage and meals are extra.
That's an exaggeration but they are a 3 star airline with okay service
https://www.airlinequality.com/airline-reviews/cebu-pacific/
I've flown with them many times and would agree with those reviews. But, in terms of safety, they have performed well recently:
https://www.airlineratings.com/news/cebu-pacific-archives-hi…
You are paying for 1/5th of the fare. I wouldn't expect much customer service from them what so ever. Just saying
@Angelscrap: Sadly there will always be those that expected to be waited on hand and foot despite paying a pittance to a low cost carrier.
Took a flight with them from HK to PH.
Airplane was OK (not super new).
The service was very good. Especially compared to other budget airlines.
Because they are one of the cheapest on this route we may well use them again, however the last time we flew Cebu Pac from Manila to Melbourne, the ticket, boarding, customs and security inspections ad Manila airport were the most time-consuming, tedious and flat out scary we have ever encountered.
Why did you find it scary? Just curious as it's my first trip to the Philippines in 6 weeks time flying Cebu.
For every passenger, every item of checked luggage was opened, checked and stamped by security, every passport was scrutinized by an officer and stamped before one could obtain a boarding pass.
Prior to boarding the plane, every item of carry-on luggage was opened and checked by security, even unopened bottles of water purchased inside the airport at a shop within viewing distance of the gate had to be discarded.
We watched this procedure and consequently very long queues for some hours (due to our connecting luggage going AWOL), all-the-while, I was thinking 'why are they targeting only our flight for all this extra security, is there a threat etc' - there did not appear to be any additional security for any of the other flights leaving at the same time.
To me the scary part was the obsessive security rather than any personal safety issues.
Others who have flown similar have since suggested that the security we encounted is not usual for flights they also took back to Melbourne.
It's my understanding that this is the case for flights leaving to Sydney / Melbourne and is because of Australian requirements, though if memory serves it does seem to differ by airline — Philippine Airlines also has screening right before boarding, but I can't recall 100% whether they also had the explosives screening.
This is something to bear in mind if you're connecting from somewhere else through Manila and onto Syd/Melb, at least with Cebu Pac — your luggage will be taken to the check-in desks where you need to collect it and take it through the extra screening and then drop it off again.
@Mintchip: Yes I think it is an Australian Requirement to check the luggage thoroughly. I did recall that airport staff in hong kong also inspected carry ons in the boarding gate via cathay pacific going to Melbourne. So it is not a Cebu Pacific or a Philippine Airlines thing.
Prior to boarding the plane, every item of carry-on luggage was opened and checked by security, even unopened bottles of water purchased inside the airport at a shop within viewing distance of the gate had to be discarded.
I think you will find that's an Austraian Government requirement.
Noticed this from other airlines(Cebu Pacific, Air Asia etc) going to Australia and from different airports so it must be an Australian requirement.
The check in queue was super slow for us as they were asking people with Philippines/Asian passports 20 questions each. But those with Aus passports were just greeted and moved on through. My wife with a Malaysian passport got questioned a number of random things, but even though she’s a PR with all documents.
Luggage and security, copped heavy searches on domestic flights in the Phils but going in and out of the country from Aus, barely checked. I had double the carry on capacity (laptop/camera/drone) and they didn’t bat an eyelid at it. Unlike Jetstar to/from Tasmania lol.
Which terminal do they use at Manila airport?
For Australia in particular, Cebu Pacific will be at NAIA Terminal 3
That's good then. It's the newer, larger and better managed terminal. The older terminal 1 is chaos, even without the extra checks for Australia-bound flights.
Just returned from Manila with Cebu Pacific. Luggage + hand carry gets scanned when you enter the airport. They open your luggage at check-in/bag drop (so no point in the plastic wrapping. Bad for the environment anyway). Hand carry gets scanned again after check in. And they throughly check your hand carry prior to entering the gate. They confiscated my international power board saying that it was a 'working tool'. Usually I check it in but had forgotten to. So be mindful what you carry on. No water, hot food, and large cables.
They did all of what you said too with Qantas. It must be an Aus thing because it's happened whether I use Qantas or Cebu Pacific over the past few years. One of the people traveling with me had a mug in his hand carry bag. They said it was a potential weapon lol. They let him check that whole bag in instead of confiscating the mug.
A mug?! Lol damn.
They told me that that I could go back and check it in but wasn't going to after waiting 45 mins at passport control. Ah well, my bad for forgetting.
GOOD. I’d rather have myself and my fellow passengers screened extra thoroughly than not. Nothing to worry about.
Word of advice. Dont go there in july or august. Thats monsoon season. Unless you like your cyclones that is.
Really negging me for this. I have lived nearly half my life there. So clearly i have an idea what i am talking about.
I went there last year monsoon season, some of the best weather I've seen in Boracay. Would go again.
Just be aware with the Taal volcano, NAIA might get closed. There was ash fall from the volcano in Manila the other day and they aiport was closed for a time.
This one is for July till Dec. Hopefully all the volcano commotion are done by then.
There is no telling when that volcano will erupt and how much more damage it will cause.
Well better you stay at home then. Don't travel. Ever.
@tranter: Didnt say dont go to that country did i?
Matter of fact if you travel to the south say cebu for example. You should be ok. Far enough from the volcanic activity.
But no. Let put words into my mouth and make it sound like i said dont go anywhere. Ever. Fly off the handle much?
All i was saying is be vigillant because as their volcanologists said. Eruption is imminent. They are just not sure when.
@xoom: Thanks. With the explanation your comment comes across in a different light.
Good to be aware of these things, but the truth is we could make travel plans anywhere in the world and ultimately our trip could be adversely affected by any number of things.
Just think of the tens of thousands of tourists affected by the recent bushfires and smoke pollution in our biggest tourist centres of Sydney and Melbourne. Who would have thought?
@tranter: World of diffence between…
My parents 2 years ago went to that volcano that erupted in NZ just last year. There where no travel warnings to said volcano or area at that time my parents went there. They would not have gone if there was.
To going to manila or the surrounding area of taal volcano now with the local and national governments there telling people not to make unnecessary travel plans to these areas and you still decide to go anyway.
@xoom: This post and discussion is about flying into Manila, not travelling to the immediate vicinity of a volcano where your life may potentially be in danger, be it White Island, NZ or Taal Volcano, 100kms from Manila.
There are always risks when travelling. Smart Traveller haven't changed their level of advice for Philippines, just general notes about following the local authority advice around the immediate vicinity of the volcano.
Regarding safety, I'm more concerned about travelling on the roads, being mugged, assaulted or being the victim of another crime above anything else.
We won't be changing any of our travel plans. We will continue to live our life and make plans for Manila and Philippines for later in the year while we have the opportunity.
In the unlikely event we are subject to flight delays or cancellations, we'll just deal with it. We have friends and family living locally so it's not going to be the end of the world.
Is that $43pp transport tax or something payable by Aus tourists?
Nope. The 1620 peso travel tax is just for Filipino's (unless you stay for more than 12 months, in which case you have to pay it along with visa and visa extension fees). Terminal fees are payable by everyone, but for flights to/from MNL (Manila) they are already included in the ticket price. For some other Philippine airports, you still have to pay the terminal fee separately, but for MNL they have been included in the ticket price for several years now.
For those considering, internal flights are very cheap. Talking $30-40 one way to get to the other islands.
Cebu Pacific is the world worst airline - daylight in second place.
I would never use this airline again.
Last time I used them, our flight from HK to MNL was delayed for about 12 hours.
To make it worse, when we got to MNL our connecting flight to one of the islands was delayed for another 4 hours and almost cancelled.
Damn that's cheap for such a long flight… Doesn't sound like that'd cover even the price of fuel.
I've flown dozens of times with Cebu Pacific and they are fine. Seat space is limited, you pay for any extras and they are usually late (take it into consideration for connecting flights). But the planes are fine, the service is good, and they get you there in one piece for a bargain price (not quite the same as when they first launched in Aus, but still pretty good). If you are more into the destination than the journey, then definitely pick them.
First piece of good news that I've read amongst the others.
I have flown return with Cebu Pacific twice and for the price I paid, I honestly can't complain.
Hi Tuftsdude,
Do they allow passengers to carry food and water in the flight?
We did and sat in row 1 nothing at all was said.
Any recommendations for accommodation/activity bookings?
Or book through the usual: booking.com or agoda, and then book activities once you're there.
Thanks
Where will you be visiting, just Manila?
Elnido, Puerto Princesa and Cebu
jimbler on 15/01/2020 - 18:15 Comment score below threshold.