Manila Airport

Had experienced NAIA Terminal 2 six times last month (July 2013) Security personnel seems handicapped and inefficient without hand-held metal detectors. So passengers are inconvenienced if they forget to take out coins or keys in their pockets. Public Address System is really bad depending on where you are it could be inaudible. Toilets have too few urinals just 2 toilets to access and each has 2 urinals only. After security checks there is only one monitor for flight information the monitors at the gate were all not working.

Terminal 2 in Manila is dedicated exclusively for Philippine Airlines. It is not a fancy or new looking terminal, nor one with very modern equipment, but it's still quite orderly and clean. Because of the exclusivity, the queue at the immigration is acceptable and processes people at fast enough speed. Priority check in luggage came delivered promptly. Upon departure, it's a blessing to fly in PAL business class. From check in at special counters to the use of Mabuhay lounge, it enhances the whole experience. One complaint though, the airport is not sufficiently air-conditioned, causing it to be quite hot, especially in the afternoon. Boarding arrangement is clear and orderly.

✅ Trip Verified | I’m specifically reviewing NAIA Terminal 3 for my Manila-BKK flight. One thing I like about this airport is the air-conditioning. The airport is pretty basic and quite confusing and leaves you nothing to do. I arrived at around 2.00am and asked the staff where I should go for my connecting flight and he just advised me to follow the signages (not that friendly). Passing through Immigration was a breeze and just took less than 5 minutes (it was around 4:00am) so it was not so crowded. Overall experience was so-so. Not that spectacular compared to other airports in Asia.

On arrival to Manila Airport (during APEC) 30 minutes from aircraft to the public pick up area (Terminal 1). Cannot fault this anywhere in the world and the terminal had clearly been spruced up for APEC. Departures (Terminal 3 both domestic and international) were easy and quick. Despite what has been written here before it was hard to fault this airport. If I was to be picky the aircon in the international departures area of Terminal 3 struggled with the setting sun pouring through the glass. Plenty of shops, food outlets and clean toilets.

I recently used Manila airport Terminal 3 for a domestic flight and then, a week later Terminal 2 for an international flight. I have to say the experience in Terminal 3 was almost enjoyable this time. Aside from the pointless security check before entering the terminal and the long lines of people with many big cases and boxes that no one at security was remotely interested in in - once inside everything was fine. The check in process with Cebu Pacific was a breeze. There are much better shops and choices for eating upstairs these days (landside) although options are still fairly limited when you go through security. But at least Terminal 3 feels like a more modern airport now. Sadly the same can't be said of Terminal 2 which, rather than needing an overhaul needs demolishing. The last time I passed through an airport with the same kind of regimented negative ambiance was Berlin in the 1970's. Few shops, and even fewer options for food and drink. The sad thing is that this is the terminal used by PAL the national airline and until they or the authorities look around at what sort of impression it must give to first time visitors I doubt much will change, because I don't think any of them care. But I'll give NAIA 6 out of 10 purely for T3 because improvements have definitely taken place. However I never want to see T2 again.

Arrived at Manila airport Terminal 1 and departed Terminal 3. For arrival Terminal 1, although it is obviously dated it functions well with minimal queuing and quick baggage arrival. Terminal 3 is by far the pick of the MNL terminals. Do yourself a favour a pay a porter to avoid the long queues to enter the building but after that it all works pretty well for Manila.

✅ Verified Review | T3 is the busiest of Manila's 4 terminals and early morning is rush hour here. With several wide body international flights (SQ, CX, DL and ANA) all departing within one hour of each other, the expected queues for departure tax payments and check in can be daunting even for those blessed with limitless patience. After check in, immigration takes forever, although one can see the efforts made by the officers to get everyone through. Security was quick and airside doesn't have the widest nor the most economical options for passengers. Air-conditioning throughout the terminal (both departure and arrival) was almost non existent. Upon arrival, one has to submit a health checklist form which, if not distributed on the plane, will cause a major backlog of passengers exiting to immigration. Immigration processing is similar to that of departure but baggage claim has improved slightly. Beyond customs is what is the definition of organized chaos. Greeters aplenty along with hotel representatives and transport touts are scattered throughout the arrival hall. Into the yellow metered taxi, one cannot help but feel exhausted after passing through this ordeal.

✅ Trip Verified | The airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, improved a lot. The last time I used it was around 2015. The arrival was pretty straight forward. The walk was short but it is evident on the finishing, flooring, and lighting that the airport was built long time ago. The hallways were empty from any shops that made the flow of passenger smooth. However, Immigration counter's quite short for the volume of the passengers. Also, luggages took a while before it reaches the carousel. Upon departure, the airport was quite busy but seems organised. Amenities are clean and design's outdated. Facility wise, they are functional and clean. Design wise, they are outdated and brings me back to the 70s. Immigration counters are insufficient. They need to add more counters both for Foreign Passport holders and Filipino and OFW Passport holders. Overall, the experience was really relaxed and did not feel and stress during the security check except for the Aussie Gov't's requirement of opening the luggage, it was really annoying! Good Job NAIA! Keep it up and challenge yourself to be better!

Travelled through T3 twice the past 2 weeks one for an international flight to HKG and another for a domestic flight to LGP. I must say that it is a major upgrade from the other terminals in terms of facilities and passenger flow but still needs some major work. Less queueing to get airside but the waiting lounges are still quite cramped especially for the international flights. I think they forgot that most of these flights involve wide body 777s or A330s and there just isn't enough room. Respectably better eating places than the other terminals but still need more choices. Shopping stalls are wanting. Toilet facilities are still severely lacking but much cleaner than T1 or T2. On arrival less queuing in the immigration area and smooth access through customs. Getting there and I hope they keep moving forward. I'd preferentially book flights out of T3 than any other terminal in MNL.

NAIA Terminal 1 Departure Hall was crowded and long queues visible. Slight noise from the on-going renovations. No queue at immigration for a change. What really surprised me was the area of the boarding gate. It has improved a lot - facilities are better the ambience is nicer the overall comfort was much better since the last time I used this airport in late January. Hopefully things will continue to improve.