QF20 MNL-SYD load & Manila QF lounge

[Ansett]

Henk's experience at MNL on a Saturday night is pretty typical.

The Saturday night flights back to Oz from SE Asia are often the most popular of the week. QF uses T1, which is supposedly about to undergo further works, although I don't know whether any planned attention to it is merely cosmetic. It's an unattractive terminal: in Australia we might call it 'brutalist' architecture. The PR terminal (two) is a bit more modern, but basic (although the refurbished PR lounge looks pleasant), while Terminal three is more attractive inside, but it's only been open for a few years (although it had large delays before that due to some ongoing dispute).

As for the comment about MNL being a 'cesspit', presumably the contributor hasn't been to Makati or the newer Fort Bonifacio. Makati for instance has lots of greenery and good shopping and dining. Sometimes the greenery and shopping are together, unlike some Australian shopping malls where the only things that are together are large car parks and the mall itself.

Ansett, if you are travelling midweek, you may find the lounges a bit quieter, but QF only has four SYD - MNL - SYD A330 flights a week (occasionally only three, as QF ditches the Tuesday flight) and this is on a route where Philippines is growing faster economically than any other SE Asian country, and there's also interest from Oz companies in relocating call centre operations to it.

Thanks Melbournian we are travelling on the 5th November and returning on the 9th November so will see and also comment on the loung perhaps also some pictures on my return.

Cheers

 

[Melburnian1]

Ansett, one oddity remaining at MNL for international (though, from NAIA, not domestic) flights is that you must pay the departure tax at a booth. It's P550 or US$11.45: Australian dollars are not accepted.

It isn't payable if you are in the country for less than 24 hours. Ansett, why not submit a trip report: there's a section on AFF to do that. Pictures make it all the better if you can upload them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi Guys

Does anyone have any more recent experience of the QF lounge in Manilla,We shall be travelling through in Mid November. Is it better to go straight to the CX lounge if so does anyone know the opening times.

Many thanks in advance

Edited to attach link to Trip Report (thanks to the PM sender )

Here's a bit of a Trip Report I did on QF19 / Qf20 earlier this year. http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports-and-trip-photos/qf19-20-sydney-manila-return-49626.html

Agree with the other comments: QF lounge small and you wouldn't want to spend much time there. I spent about 5 mins there then left for the adjacent CX lounge. Only virtue over QF is that it was larger and much quieter, both J and F parts. No toilets, as others have observed.

Do what I was advised to do (and also advised elsewhere here)and ask for a pass to the Miascor Lounge when checking in. Its not brilliant, but food options better than either of the others. Turn right when leaving the security concourse; QF and CX to the left.

I went to loungeguide.net to get the CX opening hours but that lounge isn't mentioned. Here's the entry for the Miascor Lounge: Manila (MNL) Independent MIASCOR Lounge - LoungeGuide.net

 

[whughes3]

Just for the record, I was in the Miascor lounge a few days ago (courtesy of QF) and it has been considerably updated: the seating is now much better and there is more of it; catering has been relocated but is otherwise much the same. There were no computers in the "business lounge" section, and the only accessible wifi was fairly slow.

 

[yohy?!]

I travel to mnl often..The CX F "area" is the best option. I avoid all the food and usually stick to cold San Mig from the fridge

From what I've heard from locals T1 at MNL has been built with asbestos in the ceiling plaster so it may be best not to linger!

 

[k_sheep]

From what I've heard from locals T1 at MNL has been built with asbestos in the ceiling plaster so it may be best not to linger!

Asbestos isn't a problem in intact plaster. Only move to shelter if they start sawing or sanding