Manila Airport

✅ Verified Review | It was my first time using this airport, Maila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. When I arrived, I was surprised that it looked like something from the 1940s. Terminal 1 was small, quite crowded and hot. If you are caucasian looking, taxi touts will approach you. Do not listen and go direct to the White Taxis or Grab stand in front. The positive side, the walking time between getting off your plane to taking a taxi was minimal. Departure was even worse. Everything must be scanned, including your very heavy suitcases. The check in line was incredibly long, there are no desks for online check in which is ridiculous. All airlines must scramble and share only 50 check in desks! The airport was hot and there was not enough seats. Prices of duty free was expensive if compared to KLIA or even changi. The food selection was ok, there was a starbucks but very crowded. My gate, which is gate 1 is situated downstairs with no lift. Imagine a handicapped passenger trying to get downstairs. In addition there was no machine to do security check so the guards open up your bag and mess up everything. Overalll, terrible out of date airport!

✅ Verified Review | This airport is overly congested and is in a bad state. Flew Philippine Airlines so I was expecting good service since they have exclusive terminal (NAIA 2) but left disappointed. I had to wait for almost 2 hours in the line for immigration. At the boarding area, conditions are bad. Seating is crowded. They added those cheap looking plastic chairs that are uncomfortable to sit. If you travel for business and plan to do some last minute work at the airport, forget it because there is no place for it. Not to forget the toilets - dirty and again have to fall in line just to use. So just imagine the experience of using a horrible airport when flying a 3-star airline.

They have tried to improve Manila Airport but it's just not enough. The place is overpopulated - they do not have enough seats for everyone. Toilets are clean but just lacking - 1 soap dispenser for 10 sinks, 1 hand dryer hidden at the very end of the toilet area, just very poorly thought through and without the customer in mind - just trying to save money. Also, aircon is terrible. People are waiting for their delayed flights (and the flights are always delayed here) and sweating - the aircon is useless. Filipinos can cope but foreigners are not used to it and it gives a bad impression overall. No one seems to know how to provide good service and facilities to the public despite having Singapore and Bangkok airports less than 3 hours away - take a look at your neighbours Philippines and learn.

✅ Verified Review | After having read so negative comments about Manila airport, my overall impression is rather positive. Arrival at terminal 1 at midnight did not give me a very good impression. I did not expect an airport to be so crowded at such an hour, but, departure from the tiny (domestic) terminal 4 was quite smooth (considering I travelled during a peak holiday season) and from terminal 1 a breeze. No queues, friendly staff (I did not even have to remove my coat to go through security), no unnecessary shops, no interminable walking to the gate, wi-fi worked very well. The only drawback is that the air-conditioning is too cold for my taste.

✅ Verified Review | My family and I have flown to the Philippines for about 25 years now (My wife is a Filipina). This trip we arrived / departed terminal 1 (last time it was 3) so I got to see the 'renovations'. Next trip we'll likely go to Clark airport as it's closer to where we all need to be (northern Luzon). Arrival (trip on EVA Air). Overall the washrooms are much improved (need more of them) with slight decor improvements (lighting, AC and carpets). The worst part, the ramps to the parking area, are only slightly improved (bumps, traffic, crowds and steep declines - they need an elevator) . Overall, I've always found it efficient, friendly and it works relatively well now that there's less congestion thanks to terminal 3. Customs was also friendly and efficient. For long time customers no having to tip in the washroom or getting you baggage. Departure (trip on EVA Air). Noticeably improved. To beat Manila traffic we arrived about 7-hours early. Seating was really nice, great overhead sign, nice and clean washroom nearby, great lighting. Some (high priced) stores after security which I don't remember last time. We did some shopping and grabbed a coffee (which was expensive). They need some more moderate priced places for families. No more airport fees on the way out which was great. The only issue was 1-hour free WiFi limits (you can also use free Smart/Globe plans) - that needs to be addressed. Less searches then in days past - while seating is crowded at the gate it's not bad, though you need to use your passport to go to the washroom from the seating area. On the plus side not more security (metal detector, carry-on searches, shoes / belt-off) each time you do that, which is much better. 2 trips ago I flew NAIA Terminal 1 (2nd worst airport) to JFK Delta terminal 3 (worst) and JFK was far worse. With the renovations at terminal 1 I find it pretty good, though it's no 'first-class airport' like Narita or Haneda. For our family we found it friendly, fast and efficient despite it's age.

At Manila Airport, the line for Diplomat / Apec passports was very long and the majority of travellers were neither. Only one Immigration officer to service that counter while nobody serviced the airline crew line. Took 1h15m to go thru immigration.

✅ Verified Review | Finally the renovations of Manila Airport Terminal 1 are almost done and there are noticeable improvements. But I think the airport still lacks good passenger services. Key comment are the waiting areas. The way they design waiting areas is too cramped. They squeeze all passengers into a tiny space with seats more cramped than the airplane. There are no spaces where passengers can relax before boarding. Airport is too small. During my flight there were around 4 airlines that were leaving at the same time; and the airport was absolute chaos.

✅ Verified Review | As a transit passenger Terminal 2 is a disaster. This Terminal is the base for Philippine Airlines and after experiencing it I would think twice before flying with this carrier again. Arriving after an 8 hour flight from Sydney I was thirsty and tired. This terminal has little shops that sell basic food, but nearly everyone one of them requires cash. As a Transit passenger that meant unless I wanted to spend a minimum of 300 peso so therefore could use a credit card I had to go without. This is unacceptable. The toilet is cramped, there is not enough seating and it really is a depressing environment.

My first time using Manila Airport Terminal 2 and very disappointed. Staff did their best under difficult circumstances but had to queue up far too long for a national carrier. It was like sitting at bus terminal, not enough seats, seats uncomfortable, no restaurants or bars, only small food stalls, had to queue up for toilet, not enough toilets and small and cramped. A depressing atmosphere, a total embarrassment to the Philippines, disgusting, never again, it certainly killed the experience that one should look forward to when travelling, organized chaos, next time I will fly a different airline and make my way through Terminal 1.

Manila Terminal 2 is small and very crowded. Facilities are not adequate. Seats are very uncomfortable. Can't they invest in more passenger friendly seats rather than those metal chairs that are painful to seat on? Food choices mediocre, almost all selling same food.