Let's start from the beginning, the airport, the jump point of most destinations and adventures!
My favorite airport in the Philippines is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, otherwise known as the Centennial Airport. It currently serves international and domestic flights of our flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. I love NAIA 2 for its simplicity and average size. The new NAIA 3, which primarily serves Cebu Pacific, is too big, impersonal and a bit overwhelming for me. Give me Terminal 2 any day. :)
Here are some notes and photos I took of the Centennial Airport Domestic Wing on my way to Cebu two Thursdays ago. I hope that this would be able to help first-time travelers and foreign tourists who will be using NAIA 2 as their gateway to their destinations and vacations.
NAIA Terminal 2 is the smallest among the airports in Manila but it's probably the most efficient. I've been to Terminal 2 several times because of numerous business and work trips. It's mostly operated by the Philippine Airlines crew since it's the only airline allowed to use it. It has the usual rules and hi-tech x-ray scanning like any other airports. There are two scans that travelers has to go through, first is at the entrance after ticket inspection and the other before going through the waiting and boarding lounge. Terminal Fee is Php 200.00 ($4.32) regardless of destination.
Philippine Airlines is notoriously known for having delayed flights (though they are improving in the last few years) so you better a bring a book or a laptop to entertain yourself while you wait.
There are three Laptop Areas in the boarding gates with several electric outlets and plugs. Just remember to bring a modem dongle (eg. Smart Bro Plug-it) because the last time I checked, WiFi is not yet free at NAIA 2. You have to buy a pre-loaded card in one of the shops to access the wireless connection.
It's not an International Airport so don't expect any Duty Free or luxury shops. But it has some basic gift shops and magazine stores with astronomical airport prices.
The Christian Ventures shop, located at the West wing of the boarding lounge has a well-stocked of local and international magazine titles to choose from. It's one of my favorite shops in the boarding lounge and I already bought several things from them through the years.
They also sell maps and Philippine souvenirs like miniature jeepneys, pedicab and Pinoy sorbetes carts.
There's also an abundance of food stalls and mini-cafes inside the boarding lounge. Their cost is a bit higher than their non-airport counterparts so don't be shocked if you have to shell out Php 50.00 ($1.10) for a can of Coke or a bottled water.
I was able to dine several times at Food Enterprise, located at the East Wing. They offer Filipino dishes like Adobo, Spareribs and Afritada for Php 150.00 ($3.22). They also have coffee and boxed pastries like cinnamon for gifts and pasalubong.
There are also outlets of Dulcinea, Mister Donut, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks and Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Dulcinea and Ya Kun Kaya Toast even has an exclusive dining area for customers. I tried to eat in Dulcinea before and I must say that it's the best among the food establishments at the boarding lounge.
The airport is also fully-equipped with the usual services like ATM machines (located outside, near the entrance), SIM cards and mobile loading kiosks and charging stations.
The general ambiance of the airport is really good. You can easily relax while you wait for your flights. I will book and choose Philippine Airlines any day just for a chance to board at NAIA Terminal 2.
Speaking of Philippine Airlines (PAL), here are some bonus tidbits on what to expect on a PAL flight. I was surprised when I learned that we paid Php 8,000 ($172.00) on a round-trip Manila-Cebu flight on our last trip. This was very high compared to the Cebu Pacific flight that my family and I took last May. We only paid P3,000 ($64.50) for that particular round-trip flight and it's not even on sale.
So, what is the difference of a PAL flight?
Here are some of my observations:
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has bigger and better planes. Their fleet has 747s and big airbuses compared to other airlines. Bigger planes mean wider legrooms and bigger baggage compartments.
The high fares will also get you some blankets, copy of the day's newspapers, and in-flight snacks. They used to offer coffee, tea or juice but it's now limited to just coffee and water in the Economy Class. First Class and Business Class travelers are still being offered real food like pasta and rice with viands. :)
Fita + PAL Salted Peanuts
Waffers + PAL Salted Peanuts + Inquirer Newspaper
They also give you views like the picture below. Of course it doesn't matter if you fly PAL or CebuPac, Philippines will always have aerial beauties like this - wherever and whenever.
Until next time! More NAIA2 Photos can be found on my Flickr account.
Happy Travel!
My favorite airport in the Philippines is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, otherwise known as the Centennial Airport. It currently serves international and domestic flights of our flag carrier, Philippine Airlines. I love NAIA 2 for its simplicity and average size. The new NAIA 3, which primarily serves Cebu Pacific, is too big, impersonal and a bit overwhelming for me. Give me Terminal 2 any day. :)
Here are some notes and photos I took of the Centennial Airport Domestic Wing on my way to Cebu two Thursdays ago. I hope that this would be able to help first-time travelers and foreign tourists who will be using NAIA 2 as their gateway to their destinations and vacations.
NAIA Terminal 2 is the smallest among the airports in Manila but it's probably the most efficient. I've been to Terminal 2 several times because of numerous business and work trips. It's mostly operated by the Philippine Airlines crew since it's the only airline allowed to use it. It has the usual rules and hi-tech x-ray scanning like any other airports. There are two scans that travelers has to go through, first is at the entrance after ticket inspection and the other before going through the waiting and boarding lounge. Terminal Fee is Php 200.00 ($4.32) regardless of destination.
Philippine Airlines is notoriously known for having delayed flights (though they are improving in the last few years) so you better a bring a book or a laptop to entertain yourself while you wait.
There are three Laptop Areas in the boarding gates with several electric outlets and plugs. Just remember to bring a modem dongle (eg. Smart Bro Plug-it) because the last time I checked, WiFi is not yet free at NAIA 2. You have to buy a pre-loaded card in one of the shops to access the wireless connection.
It's not an International Airport so don't expect any Duty Free or luxury shops. But it has some basic gift shops and magazine stores with astronomical airport prices.
The Christian Ventures shop, located at the West wing of the boarding lounge has a well-stocked of local and international magazine titles to choose from. It's one of my favorite shops in the boarding lounge and I already bought several things from them through the years.
They also sell maps and Philippine souvenirs like miniature jeepneys, pedicab and Pinoy sorbetes carts.
There's also an abundance of food stalls and mini-cafes inside the boarding lounge. Their cost is a bit higher than their non-airport counterparts so don't be shocked if you have to shell out Php 50.00 ($1.10) for a can of Coke or a bottled water.
I was able to dine several times at Food Enterprise, located at the East Wing. They offer Filipino dishes like Adobo, Spareribs and Afritada for Php 150.00 ($3.22). They also have coffee and boxed pastries like cinnamon for gifts and pasalubong.
There are also outlets of Dulcinea, Mister Donut, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks and Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Dulcinea and Ya Kun Kaya Toast even has an exclusive dining area for customers. I tried to eat in Dulcinea before and I must say that it's the best among the food establishments at the boarding lounge.
The airport is also fully-equipped with the usual services like ATM machines (located outside, near the entrance), SIM cards and mobile loading kiosks and charging stations.
The general ambiance of the airport is really good. You can easily relax while you wait for your flights. I will book and choose Philippine Airlines any day just for a chance to board at NAIA Terminal 2.
Speaking of Philippine Airlines (PAL), here are some bonus tidbits on what to expect on a PAL flight. I was surprised when I learned that we paid Php 8,000 ($172.00) on a round-trip Manila-Cebu flight on our last trip. This was very high compared to the Cebu Pacific flight that my family and I took last May. We only paid P3,000 ($64.50) for that particular round-trip flight and it's not even on sale.
So, what is the difference of a PAL flight?
Here are some of my observations:
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has bigger and better planes. Their fleet has 747s and big airbuses compared to other airlines. Bigger planes mean wider legrooms and bigger baggage compartments.
The high fares will also get you some blankets, copy of the day's newspapers, and in-flight snacks. They used to offer coffee, tea or juice but it's now limited to just coffee and water in the Economy Class. First Class and Business Class travelers are still being offered real food like pasta and rice with viands. :)
Fita + PAL Salted Peanuts
Waffers + PAL Salted Peanuts + Inquirer Newspaper
They also give you views like the picture below. Of course it doesn't matter if you fly PAL or CebuPac, Philippines will always have aerial beauties like this - wherever and whenever.
Until next time! More NAIA2 Photos can be found on my Flickr account.
Happy Travel!
2 Comments:
Just curious :) with the P8,000 round trip ticket. I guess that's a business class one 'coz their regular fare/economy was P1,150 (last month. Bought one for this month travel) and their econolight was 700 something. But I guess it really depends on the departure date 'coz as of now their economy fare is P1,605.
Well, I guess one should take advantage of all the airline promos available every week for a cheaper ticket.
Your right, NAIA2 is the best airport in the country.
Hello!
Nope, it's not Business Class but for its high rate it should be, right? :) My company coursed it through the travel agency and it was booked 3 days prior to the flight. I guessed they did not get any promo rate or something. I checked again the ticket and it was Php8,310.
Thanks for the tip. I should really check out PAL as much as I check CebuPac. :)
Thanks for the comment!
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