Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions   No Star Ranking Awarded         Add your Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport Review   Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport Star Ranking

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  8 April 2011 by Oddvar Johansen   (Norway)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

NAIA 1 in Manila must be one of the worst airports in the world. Departure is more terrible than arrival, and the very long queue starts long before you get into the building. After many years of travelling to and from the Philippines, I still do not understand why there are another newly built airport, only being used by some small airlines, like Ceby Pacific. Not even my Philippine friends are able to give me a good answer. They blame politics.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  6 April 2011 by E Jones   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  4 April 2011 by E Jones   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  28 March 2011 by N Sutherland   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  15 March 2011 by Gunnar Emausson   (Sweden)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  3 March 2011 by Daniel Katz   (Denmark)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  28 February 2011 by Gunnar Emausson   (Sweden)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  2 February 2011 by R Wan   (Hong Kong)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  28 January 2011 by N Sutherland   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  14 December 2010 by B Kantotero   (Italy)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  14 December 2010 by J Sabaduquia   (USA)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

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!

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  11 December 2010 by N Sutherland   (UK)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Been through NAIA-3 most months this year. Arrivals is fine with rarely more than a 10 minute wait provided you're close to the front of the plane. (Always preferable when flying into MNL). Bags on the belt quickly and minimal queuing for Taxis. They used to check Bag Tags on exiting Arrivals but that seems to have stopped. Off the plane and into the taxi within 30 minutes. (Couldn't do that in NAIA-1). Departures is pretty well organised with a quick security check prior to entering the terminal. Cebu Pacific usually open 3 hrs before the Flight Departure Time but you can check in at one of the desks earlier provided you don't have bags. With only a few airlines using Terminal 3 Airport Tax, Immigration and Security are quick and efficient, 15 mins maximum. Food and Drinks places both Lanside and Airside are disappointing and quite expensive. Both the eating places and Duty Free seem to have a temporary feel to them - like they're going somewhere else once the terminal opens up to other airlines. Smoking Room Airside, plenty Toilets and comfortable seating at the gate makes NAIA- 3 by far the best MNL Terminal. It works reasonably well and it affects my choice of airline.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  11 October 2010 by Andy Tse   (Canada)

Customer Rating :  4/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Arrived on a Malaysia Airlines flight from KL at Manila Terminal 1 at 2:00pm. My flight was the only international flight arriving at the time, although a Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways flight arrived about an hour before. Since I was in a smaller 737-800 the queue for immigration was very quick, through in about 10 minutes. Luggage was quick too, only taking about 15 minutes to collect. Not many services when you get past immigration and customs but things seemed fairly clean.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  14 August 2010 by R Quisel   (USA)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I flew out using terminal 1. The terminal looked really old, but shiny floors, clean toilets. Check-in, security and immigration queues were a nightmare. Be ready to sit on your suitcases on these lines. Terminal 1 has all the vitals like a coffee shop, a restaurant (upstairs) and a few souvenir shops. But don't expect the luxuries offered by most Asian airports. The staff working were professional and helpful.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  9 August 2010 by L Palacios   (Sweden)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

One important thing you must bear in mind when departing from this airport is to make sure you are there at least 3 hours before your scheduled flight. No later than this. I spent 30 minutes getting into the terminal - you have to queue up in a long line of passengers just to get in. And a gruelling 90 minutes just to check in my bags. Then 20 minutes to pass immigration, another 30 minutes to get through airport security. I had to run to my gate and barely made it. On the way to the gate the I could hear the final call announcements for my flight. Had I arrived at the airport a half an hour later, I would've missed the flight. Very disorganized and chaotic airport terminal.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  1 August 2010 by R Silverio   (Philippines)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

I have travelled through the international wing of Terminal 2 several times since last year. The problem remains the same. Airport management has not increased the number of toilets at the boarding area causing long lines of women passengers taking their turns to use such limited facility. Cleanliness is not maintained well. The airport leaves an impression how a country like the Philippines does not care about health and hygiene of passengers.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  3 June 2010 by Jerry Szopinski   (USA)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

NAIA-1 still needs lots of improvement. The terminal is old and I think the staff do the best with what they have. You definitely have to get there 3+ hours prior to your flight, unless yoiu like being at the tail-end of a very long line at the scanners and check-in desks. Customs is one big cluster-flop, especially when arrivals is bombed with 400+ passengers off of a B747; I've never made it through customs in less than 40 minutes there, either way. All the seats in the boarding area are metal and are quite uncomfortable if you have to wait long. Upon arrival, once through customs and baggage, it's easy to find a metered taxi but, if you're meeting someone you have to go outside and downstairs to the parking garage, where it's total chaos.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  11 May 2010 by Ian Pattison   (UK)

Customer Rating :  3/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Terminal 1, flew into and out of the Philippines from here. It is a lot better than I remember it from 2008. Seems better organised less idiots ordering you here then there. Facilities are still very limited as is the seating until you are through to the checked in side. Staff are pleasant which is nice. They should consider using the excellent terminal 3 building as this would give a far better impression to newcomers to the Philippines.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  30 April 2010 by N Sutherland   (UK)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Best part of NAIA-2 is Arrivals - not too far to walk, quick and slick through Immigration in the early morning and in Taxi within 30 mins of landing. Departures however are dreadful. For sure, do not arrive more than 2-3 hours before your flight because there is simply no place to sit in the check-in area and no place to eat or relax. Check In will typically open 3 hours before your departure time. Immigration and Security are reasonably efficient but the Departures Area is cold and noisy with uncomfortable seating, very poor eating and drinking places, poor Duty Free in selection and price and not a single Flight Info Screen in the Departures Hall. A very basic terminal where passenger comfort is not a very high priority.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  22 April 2010 by E Mallari   (USA)

Customer Rating :  1/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

Arrived March 31st and was out of the terminal quickly. Waiting area for arriving passengers to meet relatives/friends to pick up passengers very crowded and chaotic. Departure lines start outside the old International Terminal but lines moved quickly. Uniformed guards directed passengers and did not ask for bribes. Luggage x-rayed upon entering the terminal. Then passengers proceeded to their respective airlines to check in.

Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport customer review :  20 April 2010 by L Henson   (Hong Kong)

Customer Rating :  2/5

Queuing

Cleanliness

Facilities

It is hard to believe that it is an international airport especially the Intl' terminal . Old- fashioned design and the whole airport is dirty , rubbish everywhere. Only a few of seats and you may need to stand to wait for boarding, unbelievable! There is only a few shops and no choice to buy. Serious communication problem, poor English of the unhelpful staff.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT customer review : 26 February 2010 by Nick Roberts

Customer Rating : 2/5

Have used NAIA terminal I several times and have not found it that bad, until I arrived on a late flight a few months ago. There are a large number of planes arriving around 23.00 and the customs area cannot cope. Takes around an hour to reach the passport control people. If there was a queuing system that would be fine, but unfortunately there were loads of Koreans cutting in front. During the trip I also flew Cebu Pacific and was able to use the new terminal (Terminal III) - it's a world of difference and one only hopes that the Philippine government can solve the legal issues surrounding it soon, so that all the international flights can use it.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT customer review : 15 February 2010 by M Sacabon

Customer Rating : 3/5

Somebody else posted here that the Manila airport terminal 1 is like a 1970s time-capsule for travellers. It still is. Very out of date architecture that leaves much to be desired and floor layouts that does not impress. Immigration officials not the most professional in the world - they would ask me how my vacation was in annoying detail like where I was, how much I paid to stay there, what I loved about the place, who I was with etc. Security quite thorough, although they could turn on a few more x-ray machines as the lines were 20 minutes long. Smoking area located inside a cafe that had no ventilation. I pity the cafe employees who have to endure that every day for hours. The bathrooms were dirty and did not provide free toilet paper. Only one sink out of five had water coming out from the faucet. But, on the lighter side, the airport staff was courteous, helpful and kind, which is lacking in many major airports.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT review : 17 January 2010 by Chan Hoi Ming

Customer Rating : 4/5

The new Terminal 3 (For Cebu Pacific) is clean and well organized, and it was one of the smoothest experience for me. The terminal itself is spacious and clean, with lots of seating and adequate A/C. Everything from security, immigration, baggage claim to the check in counters and custom on the return flight went on perfectly smooth (with very short queues). The only draw back is the lacking of variety for food and gift shops.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT review : 3 January 2010 by Geoffrey Wyndham-Jones

Customer Rating : 4/5

Since I last visited Manila 2 years ago, things have changed dramatically: there are now 4 terminals: Terminal 1 is for all International flights (except Philippine Airways, although PAL code-share flights use Terminal 1); Terminal 2 is for Philippine Airlines only (South Wing for Domestic and North Wing for International); Terminal 3 is for all Cebu Pacific flights, and Terminal 4 is the Domestic Terminal used by local domestic carriers. Because of this, there is far less crowding, and entry through Terminal 1 is now devoid of the heaving, snaking lines of passengers standing in a non-airconditioned space which was the previous norm, and is now a 5-minute wait (don't forget to find and fill in an Immigration form before you present yourself at the desk - the forms they give out on the aircraft before arrival are only for Customs and are not for Immigration) in an adequately airconditioned area. Baggage claim is still chaotic, but this is true in most airports. In all airports in the Philippines, your baggage stubs are matched against the baggage tags, so don't throw them away. Transfer between terminals is now more organised: the shuttle mini-bus has more seats, the locations of the shuttle stops are signed, and the driver is helpful: the bus visits all 4 terminals, although it still has to use the public roads to do so (these can be a little crowded at times). The great advantage at Terminal 1 now is that the airlines open their check-in desks very early, so even if you turn up 3-4 hours before your scheduled departure, you will have a working check-in crew. Facilities in Terminals 1 and 2 for eating, shopping etc, are now reasonable (once you are in the departure lounge) and the toilets are adequate in number and clean. What more could you ask? Security is still tight (shoes, belts and watches off), but there are sufficient scanners, so no snaking lines of irritable passengers worried about missing their flight.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT review : 9 September 2009 by R Claravall

Customer Rating : 2/5

Used NAIA Terminal 1 in and outbound late August. Inbound was ok changes in the Immigration was impressive more lines and professional officers processing arrivals quickly. Money changers inside arrival area is quite good and safe and recommend to anymore. Had family fetching us but saw a new set-up of nice looking taxis for overseas arrivals. Different story outbound, cannot understand why there are limited seats in the departure area. If you come early get ready to wait uncomfortably until the check-in opens. This happens to me all the time because the traffic in Manila is unpredictable and best is to come in early. Security check is better now as it is done once entering the air side. The toilets are awful there seems to be no maintenance done and worst of all there is no place to have a decent meal.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT review : 3 August 2009 by J Sabaduquia

Customer Rating : 3/5

Travelled through terminal 1. When I entered the airport we were greeted by unfriendly and rude security agents, the check-in area smelled like fish and it was so old. Immigration was painfully slow with the rudest agents I've ever encountered. Duty Free was very small. The departure area was nice, better than I expected. A lot of food and drinks. Overall MNL airport is okay, but I think all international flights should move to the newer T3.

MANILA NINOY AQUINO AIRPORT review : 23 June 2009 by Francisco Pinyata

Customer Rating : 3/5

Having gone through NAIA terminal 1 three times since my last review about a year ago, I have noticed some minor changes with the whole airport experience there, most of them positive. First, upon arrival, the lines were visibly shorter on all 3 trips through there, once between 1pm-2pm and twice between 7pm-8pm. I do not know what changes they've made, but on average the time spent on queues went down by half. Secondly, the time it took for me to get my luggage from the time I stepped out of the aircraft also went down drastically. I was out of the airport with my bags about 20-30 minutes after getting out of the plane, which is a huge leap of improvement from previous experiences there. Departing from NAIA 1 has become easier as well. Before, you couldn't get inside the terminal if you do not have a hard copy of your e- ticket. During one of my trips out of there, I told the security guard by the entrance that I only had the reference number for my flight. The security officer told me that the reference number was enough and that they have been granting ticketless passengers terminal access for some time. The number of security checks inside the airport have gone down from 3 checks to 2 - once before checking in and then again after immigrations. The terminal fee (which some of the other comments below have been incorrectly referring to as "airport tax") is still 750 pesos or about 15 US dollars. The duty free shop is still a no-no, with overpriced merchandise that you'd better off buy onboard your flight. The smoking area is still one of the biggest setbacks, with a non-existent ventilation system and a floor area no bigger than my bedroom. The good news is that you could go upstairs to the restaurant-cafe and puff away there without buying anything. But, their coffee is not that bad so I'd recommend that. I'd also suggest you try the ham and cheese sandwich. On of the saddest parts of this airport is the boarding gate, and not because of the fact that your vacation is over at that point. It's those cold, steel seats painted white. And there never is enough of them. And it's not just insufficient by a couple of seats - it's more like nearly half of the passengers waiting for their flight are standing up. A must-fix for the airport operators. But, all things considered, a one star improvement from previous experiences there.