Manila Airport

Departed NAIA-1 on Friday evening and the real troubles of using this terminal became apparent. As many have stated it is just too old and too small to cope with the numbers of people trying to use it. Taxi had to queue to get up the ramp to drop me off at departures. I then had a 20 minute queue to get into the terminal building. I'd checked in online which meant that I used the fast bag drop which was ok but next queue was to be allowed into the immigration queue which was hundreds strong and took about 45 minutes. Final queue for security check and then into the ancient but at least quieter airside. Took about 90 minutes all told. I hear that is pretty good for Manila.

Arrived Monday 4pm and found all immigration desks were manned with no queues and sailed through. Bags took about 10 minutes to arrive but then straight through customs and into taxi. All told no more than 15 mins from disembarking to leaving the terminal.

NAIA-3 is beginning to get there. Many more eating places Landside than before. Cebu Pac have an open desk check-in now where you can check-in to any flight (international) at any desk and in advance of 3 hours before the scheduled departure time if that's convenient for you. Departure Immigration is much slicker than Arrivals and Baggage is way faster than T1. Security is quick and slick both ways and Taxi queuing times are minimal. NAIA-3 is by far the best of the MNL terminals and affects my choice of airline. T1 is just too much hassle with chronic overcrowding and pathetic passenger facilities and T2 (PAL) is just a very poor airline.

Before this journey our most recent experience departing from NAIA was in DEC2008. Overall it appears as though some improvements have been made although still more needs to be done to raise the standard of Terminal 1 to anywhere near that of most other airports in the region. This being a late Wednesday morning departure it was not overly crowded. On arrival into the building there was a standard security check quite normal. Although there were monitors indicating the departure gates we found no information on the specific location of airline counters within the check-in area. Eventually after some searching we found ours. Although we arrived at the terminal relatively late (two hours before departure) the line wasn't long and with four desks open the check-in procedure took no more than 15 minutes including waiting time. Immigration cards were completed after which we proceeded to pay the user charge 750 pesos per person (USD 17.50 would also have been accepted) with a five minute wait in line. Passport control was next; this entailed the longest queue roughly 20 minutes. Immediately thereafter was the aviation security check only a minute and we were through. A brief stop at the washroom which was acceptable although slightly crowded. Finally a 6-7 minute walk to Gate 3; considering other reviews regarding Terminal 1 waiting areas we were pleasantly surprised as it seemed relatively recently refurbished. The only complaint we might have would be the acoustics which left somewhat to be desired. It was difficult to hear the many announcements with all the chatting among our fellow passengers. The entire terminal was overall clean and in reasonably good shape considering its age. On our return ten days later we arrived in Terminal 1 late on a Sunday morning just after several wide-body long- haul flights from Europe and the Middle East. Understandably the immigration lines were long but the supervisor was very flexible and opened the diplomatic line also for ordinary travellers. After twenty minutes we came to the baggage belts which were overloaded; in fact there were so many other flights listed on the baggage board that there was no room for ours. Nevertheless after asking the staff nearby we found our baggage belt and within ten minutes our party had received all four checked bags. The customs line was rather long since not all workstations were manned; the wait was around fifteen minutes. Eventually we came out of the terminal building to the usual crowd of well-wishers.

NAIA Terminal 1 is two chapters depending on you are departing or arriving and whether there is crowded. We arrived at NAIA on QR it was virtually empty immigration went fast and baggage delivery took less than 10 min. When we departed we experienced an extremely small check in terminal not geared for the traffic waiting time ok but only because we had checked in online. The idea of paying 750 pesos for using this derelict terminal is laughable if you have papers in order and departure fee ready it was ok. The departure terminal itself is the size of a provincial airport cramped and you will be fleeced by the toilet janitors who suggests 100 pesos for the service of giving you a piece of paper if you don't have less. The guard checking boarding cards to enter the gate area is direct corrupt suggesting I give him 100 pesos for coffee money.

It appears some improvements have been made although still more needs to be done to raise the standard of Terminal 1 to anywhere near that of most other airports in the region. This being a late morning departure it was not overly crowded. On arrival into the building there was a standard security check quite normal. Although there were monitors indicating the departure gates we found no information on the specific location of airline counters within the check- in area. Eventually after some searching we found ours. Although we arrived at the terminal relatively late (two hours before departure) the line wasn't long and with four desks open the check-in procedure took no more than 15 minutes including waiting time. Immigration cards were completed after which we proceeded to pay the user charge 750 pesos per person (USD 17.50 would also have been accepted) a five minute wait in line. Passport control was next; this entailed the longest queue roughly 20 minutes. Immediately thereafter was the aviation security check only a minute and we were through. A brief stop at the washroom which was acceptable although slightly crowded. Finally a 6-7 minute walk to Gate 3; considering other reviews regarding the Terminal 1 waiting areas we were pleasantly surprised as it seemed relatively recently refurbished. The only complaint we might have would be the acoustics which left somewhat to be desired. It was difficult to hear the many announcements with all the chatting among our fellow passengers. The entire terminal was overall clean and in reasonably good shape considering it's age.

The thing that irritates me is the just-too unnecessary blocks to go through almost every corner such as to get out of the arrival hall you will need to get your custom card stamped only to submit it to another guy standing at the door several steps away. Unclear signs horribly slow poor organization. Delays and messy arrangements among gates are common. So if you were told to get into Gate 4 make sure you get what the announcement guy says about its last-minute switch to Gate 2. Don't trust the status board - it's not updated.

I usually avoid NAIA-1 and my recent trip reminded me why. Mid afternoon bunch of Middle East flights departing early evening. 30 minutes queuing just to get into the terminal. Once inside I've NEVER seen that many people simultaneously in the terminal. The queues were horrendous and snaking most of the length of the building. Many of the Long Haul Carriers are now opening Check In 4 hours before Departure Time simply to get the passengers through. Turn up at the Airport 2 hours before Departure and there's a very good chance you'd miss your flight. Fortunately I'd checked in Online and my wait wasn't too bad but I can easily believe many people would be queuing for nearly 2 hours. Immigration wasn't too bad at 30 minutes with better queue management than they used to have.

I've been through this airport once or twice a year for 8 years now. The 1970s feel and smell of the airport is still apparent. Minimal number of check-in counters are opened to service huge plane-loads. My last flight out of there was a capacity-filled 400-seater plane and only 3 counters were available. We waited 1 hour and 45 minutes in line. Speaking of lines there are no shortages of it in the terminal. Immigration officers were rude and were angry at everybody impolitely pointing at people and summoning them like they were convicts. At the departure area there were insufficient seats for passengers. I pity the cafe employees who work at the only smoking area in the place. A 30sq meter enclosed area with non-existent ventilation. I wish they open the 3rd terminal to other international flights and spare the operators the embarassment that is T1.

Used all terminals last summer. First Terminal 1. Our flight from ICN landed at 11AM. First impression old and shabby! Immigration however was surprisingly fast. Arrivals Area was a total dump a very horrible first impression to first time tourists! Used Terminal 3 a day later way better than T1. Check-In hall was clean and spacious. Security was fast and efficient. Gate Areas were rather small but good enough. Enough food for domestic and some int' pax though I'd expect more stores once intl OPS move to T3. Arrived at T2 2 months later as usual Terminal 2 is excellent clean and spacious. Departed through T1 check-in all was dark and shabby though very clean. Immigration was slow with rude staff. Security rude staff again! Gate area was rather spacious and comfy. Decent food but nothing special. Overall NAIA isn't that bad. T1 is a dump T2 and T3 are excellent. The bad thing about NAIA is the staff rude and unfriendly!