MNL, Manila's - Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has four terminals, each with their own "style".
By far the worst is the "tin shed" known as "domestic terminal", but you will only encounter this if you are flying the likes of SEAair or Zest, the Filipino ULTRA low cost carriers.
The newest and most modern terminal is terminal 3, you will encounter this if you are flying Cebu Pacific, both for International or Domestic operations. (They are the airline with flight attendants that do the “safety dance”.) MNL terminal 3, is modern and spacious, many of the shops/concessions are vacant, which gives it a deserted feeling. (Ensure that you are at the gate well before boarding is due to commence, particularly if being bussed off to remote stand ATR departures.)
Just be aware, as others have posted, that you pass through many layers of security, which can be quite time consuming (other times, there isn't a queue in sight, but you should anticipate that there will be). Some military personal (the ones carrying the guns) are prepared to take "tips" from foreigners, for helping them queue jump, and may approach you to provide this "concierge" service if you are looking particularly perplexed or frustrated. If you are unsure how much to "tip", ask them, & IME they won't be unreasonable (a previous poster has given a guide, but you don't need to go over the equivalent of USD5, and it can save hours standing around.)
Philippine Airlines operates from Terminal 2 (Domestic and International), it is the second most modern/oldest of the three main terminals. And is about the right size for the amount of passenger traffic using it. Probably exactly what you might expect from the airline's main hub.
(When collecting your checked bags in the Philippines and exiting the terminal, remember to have your baggage stubs with you. A guard at the exit door will match these against the tags on you checked bags, to ensure you haven't "inadvertently" picked up the wrong bags... Something the operators at BNE domestic should implement IMO!!!)
Many of the posts so far, regarding old and feeble infrastructure, relate to terminal 1. This is the international terminal that all foreign airlines (like Qantas, Jetstar and Cathay Pacific) use. It is antiquated, and expected daily to exceed its originally designed passenger capacity. There are pay lounges available (quite reasonably priced) if you don't have access to one operated by your carrier. You will likely be accosted by reps selling these services after you have passed through immigration/duty free shopping.
Filipinos, in general, are a warm and hospitable people. Yes, there are some problems in certain parts of their country (with religious extremists/separatists) but most Australians visiting major centres are unlikely to encounter any sense of it, other than enhanced security in airports and hotels (quite similar to the middle east in that sense).
By far the worst is the "tin shed" known as "domestic terminal", but you will only encounter this if you are flying the likes of SEAair or Zest, the Filipino ULTRA low cost carriers.
The newest and most modern terminal is terminal 3, you will encounter this if you are flying Cebu Pacific, both for International or Domestic operations. (They are the airline with flight attendants that do the “safety dance”.) MNL terminal 3, is modern and spacious, many of the shops/concessions are vacant, which gives it a deserted feeling. (Ensure that you are at the gate well before boarding is due to commence, particularly if being bussed off to remote stand ATR departures.)
Just be aware, as others have posted, that you pass through many layers of security, which can be quite time consuming (other times, there isn't a queue in sight, but you should anticipate that there will be). Some military personal (the ones carrying the guns) are prepared to take "tips" from foreigners, for helping them queue jump, and may approach you to provide this "concierge" service if you are looking particularly perplexed or frustrated. If you are unsure how much to "tip", ask them, & IME they won't be unreasonable (a previous poster has given a guide, but you don't need to go over the equivalent of USD5, and it can save hours standing around.)
Philippine Airlines operates from Terminal 2 (Domestic and International), it is the second most modern/oldest of the three main terminals. And is about the right size for the amount of passenger traffic using it. Probably exactly what you might expect from the airline's main hub.
(When collecting your checked bags in the Philippines and exiting the terminal, remember to have your baggage stubs with you. A guard at the exit door will match these against the tags on you checked bags, to ensure you haven't "inadvertently" picked up the wrong bags... Something the operators at BNE domestic should implement IMO!!!)
Many of the posts so far, regarding old and feeble infrastructure, relate to terminal 1. This is the international terminal that all foreign airlines (like Qantas, Jetstar and Cathay Pacific) use. It is antiquated, and expected daily to exceed its originally designed passenger capacity. There are pay lounges available (quite reasonably priced) if you don't have access to one operated by your carrier. You will likely be accosted by reps selling these services after you have passed through immigration/duty free shopping.
Filipinos, in general, are a warm and hospitable people. Yes, there are some problems in certain parts of their country (with religious extremists/separatists) but most Australians visiting major centres are unlikely to encounter any sense of it, other than enhanced security in airports and hotels (quite similar to the middle east in that sense).
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