Philippines review #21…read more
I took a chance when booking my flight to Manila because the price was right, just $579.18 US (P26,970), round trip. Yes it was economy class and yes I had to change planes in Guangzhou, China, but the layover was just over an hour each way, so it worked out well. The plane going there was a Boeing 777-300, which was clean and looked very new. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=RtH0uxTSr9ICLDYyfXPdlQ
Checking in at LAX was smooth and the counter staff were friendly, etc. I got to the airport early enough that I was able to request and get exit row seats for my flights. You see I'm 6 foot 3 and legroom in economy class is a problem, especially for almost 15 hours. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=wmLzpGYAnzJgheU2DcxYMg
The first leg of the flight was 30 mins late arriving at LAX, and thus 30 minutes late leaving. As such, we were 30 minutes late arriving in Guangzhou, China and with only a 1hr 10 min layover, I was rightfully concerned. It turns out however, that there were a lot of people on this fight going to Manila, so they held the connecting flight. By time we arrived in Manila we were an hour late.
Meal 1: Seafood or chicken and I choose the chicken with rice & veggie, croissant & butter, fruit, yogurt, plus a little white wine. It was actually pretty darn tasty even though it's "airline food" ... or maybe I was just really hungry, LOL. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=KARFIgpxK4dkQ_HPAMgNMg
Snack: I saw a flight attendant give another passenger a large cup-o-noodles, so I asked and got one too. It hit the spot perfectly!
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=7i8D43xmCukBh8DtUKuZXQ
Meal 2: Breakfast was about 3 hours before landing in China. By time they got to me the American breakfast gone, so the Chinese breakfast (stir fired noodles & veggie, roll & butter, chicken salad with a slice of turkey or chicken(?) and fruit) it was. This was actually fine, but the first meal was better.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=9Cy3peHi3LN-ebLpTXjMFQ
Return flight: Manila to Guangzhou. On the 1st flight they literally gave us a box lunch. Chicken with rice & veggie, salad, bread, fruit & dried mango chipc. While it hit the spot, it was nothing special.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=dgNdXsp82YIB8GD-MMWWSg
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=OTllttT4ttPjf09wyf6ifw
The next flight, Guangzhou to LA was on an A380 super jumbo plane with 506 passengers, WOW! Comfortable and very quiet. Meal #1 Stir fried beef noodles, veggie, bread, yogurt & fruit. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=Ouj4jlXqJdsfkP3NyfIE9A
Meal #2 Pepper beef w/ rice, veggie, bread, crackers, seaweed salad & a whipped cream cake. Both of these meals were pretty tasty... or maybe I'm just not that picky.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/china-southern-airlines-manila?select=R-RbSGELQLxfDafaZk6mog
OVERALL: While there was a delay on my initial flight, the ground staff and flight attendants were very friendly / nice, the planes were newer, comfortable and the food was better than I was expecting! 3.5 start rounded up.