Cebu Pacific Flight Review: MNL to CEB, November 2012

Arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport

We've been to Cebu for several times and still excited on visiting once again. Due to promo fares for the past months, we availed Cebu Pacific low fares and immediately booked to Cebu. We arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 at 5AM since our flight was 6:25AM. We were group of 5 and we met at our office in Sampaloc, Manila and availed taxi for PHP250 or PHP50 each. Travel time was breeze since it was midnight then.

NAIA Terminal 3 is the largest airport of the country. Since Cebu Pacific operates internationally and domestically, we went there. We also waited two members in order for us to do the check-in. We entered to the terminal and there were many passengers lining up. Actually for Cebu Pacific, they separate International and Domestic Check-in counters and staff assisted the passengers so it ended smoothly. One staff informed us to proceed to other check-in counter since our flight time was early.

Terminal 3

arrived at 5AM

entrance to the terminal

first security check

Since we moved to another counter for check-in, our seating assignments were provided and we were not in same row. So a tip will be arrive to the airport 2 hours before the flight or have a seats reserved at airline website for a fee. Good thing that current flight includes the PHP200 terminal fee so it won't be a hassle lining up just like before.

check-in time

lining up

going to second floor

busy Terminal 3

We went to second floor to have some breakfast. Good thing that there were shops and restaurants opened early in the morning. We had our breakfast at Jollibee. We had our walk at the terminal until our flight was announced that it was ready for boarding. We immediately went to the final security check-in and we were surprised that shoes or sandals were not taken off which it was a part of security check before. So the final check ended smoothly. After that, we went to the designated gate.

lining up for final check-in

waiting to be checked

my boarding pass

At Gate 117

Cebu Pacific bound for Cebu

waiting for boarding

Flight Number: 5J 551

Route: Manila-Cebu

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air

Aircraft: Airbus 319-100

Flying Time: 60 minutes

Departure Time: 0700H

Arrival Time: 0800H

Passengers starting to lined up after the boarding announcement. We waited some passengers to finish until we proceed our turn. After clearing up our boarding passes, we went down as we thought it will proceed to the gate tube but we went down the stairs and to the tarmac onboard the aircraft. According to them, it was the usual practice of Cebu Pacific but I enjoyed it as I wanted to take some photos at the tarmac with the aircraft.

boarding time

check our boarding passes

5J 551 bound for Cebu

boarding passes, check

down for boarding

our Cebu Pacific aircraft

Airbus 319-100

picture with the aircraft

boarding at the rear door

going up

picture first :)

aircraft side view

Cebu Pacific's logo

It was a full flight but the good thing was boarding time was smooth and fast. I was seated in 25C (Charlie) since my friend Gina asked to exchange seats from B (Bravo) to C (Charlie). So, I was seated at the aisle. After few minutes, cabin crew checked if baggage were stored properly and they started to do the flight safety demonstration. We supposed to depart at 6:45AM but due to traffic congestion at NAIA runway, we departed at 7:00AM. We used the shorter runway (13/23) instead of the usual longer runway (6/24). 

seated at 25C (Charlie)

full flight

safety demo from flight crew

happily seated

tried their milk tea - delicious! :)

serving snacks

and also souvenir items

happy drinking

enjoy!

reading Smile Magazine

landed one hour later

arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport

drop off 

Thank you Cebu Pacific!

going to the arrival area

entering the airport

proceed to baggage carousel

arrival area

Welcome to Cebu!

Overall, it was a pleasant flight from Cebu Pacific. From check-in, to boarding, to flight and up to the arrival. It was also observed that we didn't use gate tube even though NAIA and Cebu airport has a facility. But nevertheless, it was a great flight and I was able to take some shots of the aircraft. Flight crew were also attentive and greeted us from the moment we went inside the aircraft until deplaning. Short delay was OK since it was a runway congestion at Manila. It was a great and fun flight with Cebu Pacific. :)

Thank you Cebu Pacific! :)

Philippine Airlines Flight Review: MNL to LAO, August 2012

Arrived at Rainy Laoag Airport

Note of these codes:
MNL - Manila
LAO - Laoag
PAL / PR - Philippine Airlines

It is one of my solo travels that I enjoyed much. It was my first air travel up north of Metro Manila. I did not include my trip to Clark since I headed south (CRK-DVO) with my friends and officemates. As usual, I did my budget routine in going to NAIA Terminal 2 without taking a taxi. Since my flight was at 09:50AM, I did the usual MRT-Shuttle Bus trip. It was the same as what I did on my December trip (see the highlighted link).

My trip was made possible by Philippine Airlines. I arrived to the airport at 08:20AM and I immediately went to the Laoag check-in counters right after my initial security check. There were few passengers infront of me and I went immediately to the counter. I supposed not to check-in my small bag but I was informed that umbrellas were not allowed as carry-on baggage so I immediately informed that my bag will be checked-in including the umbrella. I went immediately to the counter and since Terminal fees (PHP200) was already included in the purchased tickets, it was a breeze. I went to the final check-in and proceed to Gate S6. But such an aviation enthusiast, I roamed around the airport as usual. :)

check-in time

little empty check-in counters

me at check-in area

pre-departure area

right after my final security check

check my Laoag flight

to Gate S6 (South)

Airbus 320-200 aircraft

my boarding pass

waiting for boarding

seated beside the gate

some passengers waiting

picture with the PAL aircraft

upclose

with Japan Airlines at the background

Flight Number: PR 226

Route: Manila-Laoag

Airline: Philippine Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus 320-200

Flying Time: 55 minutes

Departure Time: 0950H

Arrival Time: 1045H

Boarding time was few minutes late but it was manageable enough since we were few passengers to be onboard. As I noticed, it was indeed correct. I lined up few minutes after the announcement and I handed over my boarding pass to the crew. I immediately went off the gate and proceed to the gate tube and to the aircraft. Cabin crew greeted me "Welcome to Philippine Airlines sir!" A very nice gesture of PAL. :)

lining up for boarding

boarding time

to the tube gate

photo shot

headed to the aircraft

outside the aircraft

cabin interior

seated at 9A (Alpha)

view infront of my seat

view at the back

watching safety video

nice and entertaining flight safety video

raining outside

taxiing to the rinway

headed to the taxiway

PAL aircraft

Terminal 3

Lufthansa Technik Philippines

another hangar

PAL Boeing 747-400

took off at 09:50AM

get above the clouds

way up above

more than 29,000 feet above

happily seated

blue skies ahead

nice to see them

happy me

Right after take off and headed way over the clouds, seatbelt sign indicator went off and cabin crew prepared our little snack. They were so accommodating and nice to the passengers. Their service is way above the expectations.  

snack time

served by these two flight attendants

my snack inflight

watching the clouds

cabin crew clearing the tray

watching Glee

cloudy skies 

above Ilocos Sur

view of the wing

above Ilocos Norte this time

at North of Laoag City before the turn

great coastline

another shot

ready to land

few minutes to the airport

La Paz sand dumes below

moment to land

5, 4, 3, 2

and 1!

landed

headed to the airport terminal

taxiing to the apron

Laoag Control Tower

Arrival area

Welcome to Laoag City

light rains coming up

airport up close

will use staicase

Welcome to Laoag International Airport

Thank you PAL! :)

with umbrella

with aircraft registry RP-C8612

windy and rainy airport

bye PAL!

another pic to the Arrival area

one look to my PAL :)

Arrival Area

baggage conveyor

waiting for our luggages

me again

waiting time

Thanks PAL for the Mabuhay Magazine

avail free airport shuttle

get my luggage

way to the exit

onboard Airport Shuttle

on our way to Laoag City downtown

The sign that I am in Laoag City

Thank you Gov. Imee Marcos for free shuttle ride

check-in time to the Isabel Suites

It was one of the best flight experience with Philippine Airlines. Though the flight was a little bit bumpy due to weather condition and thick clouds on our way to Laoag. Nevertheless, the crew both ground and inflight were accommodating and nice. They were very helpful in assisting us passengers which the main distinction of Philippine Airlines to the rest. Good job to all and keep up the good service! :)

Thank you Philippine Airlines! Shining Through as Always! :)