Manila Airport

After experiencing in 2014 the world largest sauna I was a bit apprehensive to return to this airport. What a change with terminal 1. Had a very smooth arrival with friendly smiling immigration officer arrived by 4pm with Qatar Airways by 4.30pm I was already in a cab with luggage. The departure area in T1 still had too few lines but its far more structured then before. Working air-conditioning. Just one small detail the smoking area on the 4th floor is awful.

The Terminal 3 of Manila's airport is probably the best among the other 3 terminals that serve both international and domestic flights. I love how people taking you to the airport can get inside and have coffee before you depart. However, there are not much to select from. There are limited restaurants even after immigration. The terminal is spacious and probably the most modern in Manila. Airport staff are friendly and helpful.

Departed T3 on an 8am flight. Arrived at around 6am with minimal queueing at the strange x-ray stop point as one enters the terminal. Quick check in process and quickly through immigration and final security. The speed of my going from landslide to airside sort of disoriented me (was I really in Manila airport?). Perhaps it was because it was a Tuesday and hence not peak travel time, or the new government really cracked down on airport inefficiency. Regardless, this is one thankful traveler. New stores in the offing but I can't really comment on the dining options as I headed straight to the lounge. Also had a very quick zip from the lounge to the plane. All in all, it was a pleasantly surprising experience.

Terminal 2 of Manila Airport is probably the best for arrivals. It is exclusive for the use of Philippine Airlines. From disembarkation to exiting the airport only takes thirty minutes on average - something that long haul travellers, like me, appreciate. Although the airport is ageing, it still is fit for purpose. Arrival duty free shops aren't that tempting. They are not that extensive. Facilities are not too bad. A fairly decent airport.

Arrived and departed Terminals 1 and 3. Arriving at both terminals to catch a flight we were met with long queues but paying for a porter gets you priority treatment right through to the check-in desk. Both terminals are clean bright and inviting. The change in Terminal 1 is amazing. I couldn't believe it was the same terminal as a few years back. Lots of shops and eateries and no staff touting for money. The big complaint I have is the wait once you are on the plane. The airline blames NAIA which claims there is traffic congestion. Departing to Brunei we sat at the gate for nearly 6-minutes before we could start our engines and another 30 minutes to finally take off. There needs to be a new system put in place for managing aircraft traffic. Other airports can manage it. Overall, the terminals are a huge improvement

❎ Not Verified | Terminal 3. Clean, well signposted. Adequate toilets. No queue at immigration, processed efficiently. bag arrived within 5 minutes of my arrival at carousel. Opportunity to buy a SIM card and load. No hustlers seen. All in all a huge improvement on Terminal 1.

✅ Trip Verified | NAIA Terminal 1 has been refurbished last year. Although very very few seats at the waiting area before check-in. If there were seats only a few can be accommodated since some passengers are already seating there. next was in the first baggage screening area my cigarette lighter was confiscated because it was forbidden to bring it inside the airport. Check-in was ok, immigrations & customs was a breeze except that some open counters only accommodate Foreign Passport holders ONLY even if there is no queue. On the airside, there are more passengers seated while waiting for their flights - only 2 screens were available to show which gate is assigned to which destination - and I have to look for it. Since I have a lounge access for PAL, luckily only few passengers were at the lounge, and got food and drinks. only downside is, the airport is all non smoking. I have to sit for 9 hours and a half on a plane and I need to smoke at least before that. Some foreign passengers were complaining. 2 years a go, there is lounge with smoking area. Now (2019) it was already gone. That will cost two stars from me.

✅ Trip Verified | I hadn't travelled through MNL in several years and was expecting the worst. Arrival in T2 in early morning was trouble free. A few minutes in Immigration and 10 minutes in the Baggage Hall and I was departing the airport by taxi 30 minutes after getting off the plane. This is as good as it gets. T1 Departures - reading the horror stories here I arrived at the terminal at 5am around 4 hours before my departure. No queues at all to get into the Terminal nor any bag screening like before. My check in desk was open, 10 minute wait and I was checked in by the helpful, friendly and efficient PAL staff. No Airport Tax for Foreign Passport... 5 minute wait in Immigration, same in Security screening and I was airside 30 minutes after getting out of my taxi which is the best I've seen in NAIA. This left me with a lengthy wait for my flight but there's plenty seating in T1 Departures with a coffee shop and a book to pass the time. I can't say how typical my recent experience was but it was better than the many dozens of times I've used NAIA over the past 40 years. Sure NAIA is showing it's age, the infrastructure around it is terrible but the staff are making the best of what they have. So many problems in these old airports can be solved if you're just not in a hurry.

Terminal 2. On arrival (late afternoon) I was out of the terminal within 45 mins of landing with the majority of that time spent in baggage claim. The Taxi wait for metered cabs was dreadful with plenty of touts eager to charge over the odds. Departures was quick and efficient mid afternoon as was Security and Immigration (no queues at all) and I was in the Departures area within 5-10mins of entering the terminal. Not many major airports can manage that. Airport Charge (PHP 550) is now included in the ticket price. With Philippine Airlines working very hard to improve their on-time reliability and price competitiveness (Cebu Pacific were putting them out of business) they are now a good choice for regional destinations and T2 is working hard to meet that challenge.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 is a clean airport. Signage is clear and easy to follow. The real disappointment are the food outlets and also the queuing times. The first thing that you will do is go through a very long line up outside the terminal. Once you are in, you must put your luggage through an X-Ray machine. You then proceed to your check in counter where you will again join a queue to check in. Food outlets are on the second floor and that's where chaos is. So many flights going on at the same time that most food outlets are full and the one's that are not, usually don't offer decent tasting meal (well, from the pictures posted outside their restaurant). There are limited food stalls as well once you are inside but again, mostly full and nowhere to sit. Air conditioning was not working properly at that time so the departures area are so warm. You can see the discomfort on everyone's face.Boarding was fast and organize though. Clear and loud announcements from the airline staff. Wifi is spotty and kicks you out all the time and I think it was limited to 1 hour only (not sure). Don't come to the airport hungry because you will probably lose your temper finding a place to have a decent meal. Bring extra patience, you may need it as well.