Manila Airport

Manila airport has been nominated one of the world's worst airport however no work whatsoever is being done the big question is why? Airport will kick you back to the 70s when its probably new and modern at it times but today its just terrible. It is probably one of the most dirtiest airports in the world overcrowded chaotic and just plain uncomfortable. The coffee shops sells terrible coffee and food so I wouldn't recommend anyone to eat at the airport its best to eat before you wait there. Queues at the airport takes lots of time and the immigration is rather inefficient and very slow even worse than overcrowded provincial airports in Indonesia. The toilets are utterly disgusting and need a deep cleaning it smells funny there seating are not enough.

Arrived at 11pm to a huge queue in immigration and whilst the airport was crowded and it took some time to pass through customs that was not too bad. The big issue was that the pick up area was totally clogged up. I fly through this airport a lot and it's far from the best of airports but it usually functions. In this case drivers have bribed the traffic co-ordinators to park in the pick-up/drop off areas indefinitely whilst they waited for the people they were picking up. We had a pick up organised and it took over an hour for the driver to move the 200 meters to get into the pick up area. To top it off I forgot a bag and had to work my way back to pick up the bag but the only way I could get through was by bribing the security staff.

Came into this airport NAIA T1 once more and this was early morning before 10am and was so lucky to be the only plane at the gate that it only took 15 mins to get through this dirty smelly airport! PAL T2 is dis-organized as no electric board to tell you check-in rows just some PAL contractor who seemed not to know which flights were checking in where. Poor unprofessionalism here.

This is the worst airport that I have ever flown through. We were trapped in the dirtiest most disorganized terminal with disgusting food and cash only businesses. There was no ATM or money exchange at all!

Having been on business for the last year in the Philippines I have extensively used all terminals at NAIA during this time. T1 is like a throwback to the 1970's. Dirty overcrowded dim lighting outdated information boards cursory security checks long queues basic facilities - and please can someone tell me exactly what I pay 550PHP for each time I leave? T2 (for PAL) is slightly better although queues at immigration can be lengthy at times however once you are airside its a lot more pleasant than T1. T3 is nice. But then its new. Reasonable selection of shops and eating places in both domestic and international terminals. Shows you what can be done. There needs to be a faster way to transfer between T3 (closest terminal to the city) and T1/T2. A rapid rail link to Makati/Manila would also be welcome. If the Philippines is really serious about attracting tourists and visitors it needs to look at the first impressions people get from this airport as well as the time it takes to get in/out of the airport at busy times (which is most of the time).

Flew out of NAIA T1 on November 24th as a business class passenger. The lounge on offer for the airline was dreadful a poor choice of food only 2 hot dishes very limited amounts of both soft & alcoholic drinks. The carpet was in need of a clean and was scattered with stains and no smoking facility on offer. All in all very poor. I did transfer to a lounge where I paid 850 peso again very poor selection of hot food although the selections of drinks was a little better.

Flew in from Bangkok to Naia International Terminal with Kuwait Airways. Quite a busy terminal so I believe there is definite room for expansion. Arrival passport control was filled to the ceiling with Filipino nationals returning home but luckily they hadn't noticed the second row of passport control at the back closer to the baggage carousels. So managed to clear in a reasonable amount of time. Bags arrived fairly quickly. No ATMs seemed to work as a line of foreigners (as well as me) were trying to get cash but I suppose it was just a glitch. Avoided the exorbitant priced taxis just exited the parking to the main street which is a 4 minute walk and got a white taxi who took me to the city with a meter and no discussions so paid 130PHP instead of 700-800! Departure was Okay even if the terminal was packed with flights but passport control was quick. Hate paying exit taxes. Please include it in the ticket. This system is already archaic and no one does it anymore. Free wifi is very welcomed.

Flying Philippine Airlines and you get stranded in Terminal 2 which doesn't have a single business in the "international" airport that takes a credit card. I'm here on an extended layover (5 hours) and I am npt going to an ATM to pull out the relevant currency for a 5 hour stop. In fact I can't even find an ATM to use so really poor planning. Also the "free wifi" is free for 30 mins and then it's a pay as you go thing so it's a bit of a misnomer. Also getting logged on to the system is near impossible so good luck! The gates are all roped off so if it's busy seating is very limited in the entire terminal. Make sure you have short connections. Avoid.

NAIA - T1. Hadn't been through T1 for a while - I usually try and avoid it. Arrivals is a zoo with very little you can do to avoid the queues at Immigration other than sitting close to the front of the aircraft and hoping that 2 other flights don't arrive at the same time. 20 mins there would be good 45 mins not unusual. The Baggage Hall is dreadful with poor to non-existent air conditioning and the vast majority of passengers seemingly unable to identify their bag from a distance of greater than 6 inches. 30 mins would be good there 1 hour not unusual. Customs is usually pretty quick and waiting times for taxis are OK. If you exit the terminal 1 hour after arriving at the gate you've done well. Departures - I always get there early (Check In will open 3-4 hours before scheduled Departure Time) so arrive 3 hours before Departure and Check In Online before you go to the airport. Most Airlines have a dedicated Online queue - use it - nobody else does. Fill in your Departure Form and have PHP 550 available for Departure Tax. Immigration is slow but there is a reasonable queue system and avoid getting stuck behind somebody with a folder of paperwork. 20 mins typically in Immigration and if it's much more it shouldn't be a problem provided you've arrived early and have checked in online. Through Security in 10 mins and the Departures area is nothing special. I never buy Duty Free in MNL - I can get a better deal elsewhere - like in town. The Bar and Cafe facilities landside are non existent and airside very poor so bring a snack and a book. There are Pay Lounges but at 750 PHP you need to eat and drink a lot to make it worthwhile. Over all a pretty dreadful airport but T3 is reasonable.

Flew out of NAIA T1 once again October 8th and nothing has changed the main display board wasn't even working so it was chaos to find your check in desk as there was no one to help you! Lighting is still dull making the whole place feel miserable and like a dungeon. Toilets really dirty and smelly. 45 min wait to get through immigration which was quick for this airports standards. Really glad to get on the plane & leave this behind but have to return sadly in December for another gauntlet run.