QF19/20 change to MNL terminal

Status
Not open for further replies.

Melburnian1

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Posts
24,673
From 31 August 2018, QF will allegedly be shifting MNL terminals from the current T1 to more modern (though more than a decade old) T3. (MNL is often referred to locally as 'NAIA.')

Concurrently PR (international only) will be shifting from T2 to T1. 5J domestic will switch from T3 to T2.

T3 has for a few years played host to a limited number of foreign airlines such as CX and EK but kicking the domestic operators out will create a lot more room.

It is early days but this could be chaotic. Major change in a country that is growing extremely fast and where the main airport infrastructure, while improved compared with two or three years ago, is under strain.

The notorious Manila traffic won't help, so if travelling, allow extra time. Check your itinerary carefully as because it's southeast Asia, no guarantees these changes will all be implemented on this August day.

There will continue to be terminal transfer buses airside, avoiding crowded public roads, but these shuttles will become even more crowded, particularly since PR and 5J domestic and international will be in different terminals.

I don't know what arrangements QF will make for its lounge but there are some already operating at T3, although not many by international standards given that MNL handles almost as many passengers as SYD. Notably MNL has a higher percentage of international passengers.

Presently both the QF lounge (T1) and the PR international one (T2) are substandard. PR claims it has commenced building a new, double storey one but I don't know where.

Many other international airlines will move from T1 to T3.

MNL airport has an 0130 - 0330 hours curfew (not documented well publicly) so access is available for passenger planes longer each 24 hours than SYD.
 
Interesting! There is a CX lounge at T3 which appears to be quite respectable; maybe QF will use this, but even if not it will still be available as an option.

Unfortunately the QF flights will still arrive in the middle of evening rush hour, and only 5 days a week, so I will probably stay with SQ on this route, even after the reported upgrade of the 332 a/c.
 
Thanks, this is good to know. We travel regularly through MNL and wasn’t aware of the changes. Most of the lounges are pretty substandard and it still can be and PITA going between terminals
 
... it still can be and PITA going between terminals

I've used the airside shuttle buses twice.

On both occasions I collected my baggage off the belt and had to wait about 15 minutes. I gather it operates half hourly. With five minutes' travel I was at my destination terminal. Way superior to travelling on the chock-a-block public roads outside the airport.

If Jakarta is where I've experienced the worst traffic, Bangkok and Manila must tie for second. I tend not to travel by road in Los Angeles so can't comment on that aspect of it.
 
The CX lounge in T3 is light years ahead of the toilet cubicle QF has been using in T1. I am not sure however if CX would appreciate the huge influx of QF20 pax 6 days a week as many premium pax fly this route and would be using this lounge.

T3 is closer to the main areas of Makati and BGC, and has much better drop off/pick up road access than T1.

Any official info yet?
 
... am not sure however if CX would appreciate the huge influx of QF20 pax 6 days a week as many premium pax fly this route and would be using this lounge.

Any official info yet?

CX and QF don't have a great relationship, but I suppose money talks.

No official info. It is southeast Asia, so believe it when you see it might be what we doubting Thomases go by. That said, in most cases with changes like this airlines try to let their booked passengers know.

Travel agents can sometimes be very slow to pick up on these changes. I've found by asking other travellers over the years that not all closely read itineraries even in hardcopy, which is an attitude I find amazing. After all, some even use online travel agent sites and end up booking one stops with hours at an intermediate airport, not a nonstop.
 
Remember MNL well when gate 3 was told to go to gate 7 and 7 to go to 4, so some 600 pax I guess merged, gee it was fun dodging the carry ons :(. Plane left one hour late due to traffic congestion to get to it was down stairs to tarmac bus, sat in plane for 20mins with no air, they also had no drinks on board only tea and coffee, the free snack was a packet of half peanuts about size of a ten cent piece. The saving grace was after arriving in Davao it was off to our friends private island.
 
CX and QF don't have a great relationship, but I suppose money talks.

Qantas doesn't seem to mind Cathay Pacific passengers using its lounges all across Australia, and for a time was sending Qantas Club members to the CX lounge in London before the Qantas lounge opened (bit of an upgrade from the AA lounge), so I'm sure QF and CX could work something out if they wanted to. ;)
 
From 31 August 2018, QF will allegedly be shifting MNL terminals from the current T1 to more modern (though more than a decade old) T3. (MNL is often referred to locally as 'NAIA.')
Have you seen any revised update on this one? I see tonight's QF19/20 is still operating from NAIA T1?
 
I came through MNL T3 this morning and there was no sign at all of any changes in the airlines operating there. The only obvious recent change at MNL is that PR international flights now operate from T1 instead of T2 as they used to.
 
Does anyone know if I can use a Qantas lounge pass at the new PAGSS lounge in terminal 3? I'm only a Bronze flyer.
 
Does anyone know if I can use a Qantas lounge pass at the new PAGSS lounge in terminal 3? I'm only a Bronze flyer.
Probably not: these passes are only usable at QF-operated lounges, which is not the case here.
 
I came through MNL T3 this morning and there was no sign at all of any changes in the airlines operating there. The only obvious recent change at MNL is that PR international flights now operate from T1 instead of T2 as they used to.

Apologies for the late reply. I believe it's only a few PR flights that operate to and from T1, such as the Canadian ones from YYZ and YVR.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Does anyone know if I can use a Qantas lounge pass at the new PAGSS lounge in terminal 3? I'm only a Bronze flyer.

Not likely, even as a WP I had to show the invitation given to me at check-in to gain entry.

BTW it's carp . No sparkling wine at all, one one white (Hardy's moscato) and only one red. Dim Sum type food was fine but not exceptional. Air conditioning inadequate.

Didn't take long for +1 & I to move to the CX lounge.
 
Apologies for the late reply. I believe it's only a few PR flights that operate to and from T1, such as the Canadian ones from YYZ and YVR.
According to the PR website, T1 is used for flights to/from AUH/DMM/DOH/RUH/YYZ/YVR and from LAX/SFO/JFK.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..

Recent Posts

Back
Top