There have been a lot of changes and updates being made to NAIA T3. Having flown in and out of NAIA…read morenumerous times in my lifetime, there is certainly a lot of room for improvement, but kudos also have to be made at an airport in Manila, where efficiency isn't always its strongest suit. Let's talk about arrivals first. The immigration line for foreign passport is always dreadfully long. You just have to pray and hope that your flight doesn't land at the same time as other international flights and isn't close to lunch time (otherwise there may be less counters open due to staff taking lunch break). On average, it takes around 20-30 minutes to get through immigration. And then if you don't have a priority baggage tag, it can take an additional 20 minutes of waiting on top. Luggage takes way too long to come out, and you'd think for an international airport, they'd have it down to a tee. Unfortunately in Manila, efficiency doesn't quite fall in their vocabulary. As for international departures, you definitely need to budget arriving at the airport at least 2.5 hours prior to your flight. The queues for immigration and security are a true gamble. You can breeze through in maybe less than 20 minutes if there is barely a queue, or that it will take over 45 minutes if there are too many departures at the same time and not enough staff at the counters. There are a few dining outlets at the airport, but nothing too outstanding. You're better off bringing your own snacks over paying for overpriced food at the gate area.

I was at Naia Terminal 3 last September for my trip to the Philippines and I was excited to explore…read morethe airport. It was not like this 20 years ago. The airport is huge, and a busy one based on the long lines at the airport wether you are departing or arriving in the Philippines. It has a range of facilities like numerous duty free shops, restaurants, cafe's, lounges, free wifi and charging stations, a chapel/prayer room and a 24 hour medical center and pharmacy. As busy as it is, the airport is organized, and a lot of airport staff around the area to help every passenger in need. Arriving was a breeze. Everything was fast, got my luggage without any problem. Departing was a different story. I suggest you should be at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight because it is one of the busiest domestic and international airport, so there are long lines to check in, go through TSA and all that. There was another line to go through security checkpoint to enter my gate. Overall I am just happy to be home and I do not mind to go through all of these again in my next trips. Aside from the long lines, everything else was hassle free. Check it out!

I made my first trip to the Manila on the 8th of March. The 14 and a half hour flight was tiring…read moreafter working a full 8hour day but definitely got sleep on the plane. Arriving in Terminal 1 was pretty stressful free for me as I prepared ahead of time by watching videos. Wasn't sure what immigration and customs was going to be like after watching the videos but it went pretty quick as there was only 5 people ahead of me. When I left Manila going back to the states I was not really sure where I needed to go so me being the outgoing person that I am always asked security for directions without any hesitation and everything went smooth. They are friendly so be afraid to ask questions. They won't bite. They are human and want you to be relaxed anyways so just get out of the American uptight ass shells we all live in and be friendly. I had heard that you need to prepare for long wait times at immigration and security screening so after my hotel checkout time I did some last minute running around with my girlfriend before she left to go home and then I booked a grab 8 hours before my flight departure time. Getting there early was stress free, lines were short, and screening was easy. What I didn't like was after I got to the gate and been there for 4 hours already, everyone around the gates had to go back through screening and get a pat down. I know what to expect for next year and I am already prepared so if you are flying here into or out of terminal 1 just do some quick online research to make it easier and be friendly don't be afraid to start conversations

Oh boy--we did it! From LAX to Manila's NAIA Terminal 1, then racing to Terminal 2 for our Coron…read moreconnection with just enough time to wonder, "Is this how travel-induced ulcers are made?" The international flight arrived early (hallelujah!), but the wait for our luggage? Pure psychological warfare! Absolute torture! I was pacing like a contestant on "The Amazing Race: Airport Edition" while silently saying goodbye to my fingernails. Meanwhile, my sister dubbed me full-on kray-kray for attempting this tight a connection in the Philippines of all places--and honestly? She had a point. As if the ticking clock wasn't enough, the PAL app decided to stress me out even more with hourly "your flight is boarding soon" push notifications. Calm down, PAL. Let me breathe. Then came the classic NAIA twist: flying with PAL? Logically, you head to the PAL entrance to check-in. Makes sense right? BUT NO, a very chill security guard casually points--with his lips, of course--toward the AirAsia building. "Check in ober der ser." HUH?! Is this a crossover episode? A budget travel influencer collab? What is happening? After our brief scavenger hunt, plus a weigh-in battle at the luggage scale (nothing says family bonding like accusing each other of being "suspiciously dense"), we finally made it to our gate. The biggest surprise - Terminal 2! It's not bad at all! Spacious, clean, and bright. It even has that "recently renovated and not haunted" vibe, A far cry from the haunted-Jurassic vibes of NAIA T1 (bless its aging soul). The PAL crew? Absolutely wonderful. Friendly, efficient, and clearly trained in crisis management for stressed travelers like yours truly LOL. Moral of the story: be nice, people. Always remember the Golden Rule. Kindness might be your boarding pass to sanity. So here we are--connection secured, spirits high, and officially on vacation mode. From panic to paradise, all before lunch. Final Verdict: Solid 4 out of 5 lost brain cells. Would definitely run this airport obstacle course again... in cross-trainers next time.

So we got in to the airport super late, cleared customs and immigration and then made our way to…read morethe domestic terminal. I expected a robust terminal operation as there were flight coming and going at all hours of the early morning. That was not the case. There were minimal food options, limited seating, and a perpetual waiting game to find out what gate your flight was departing from. Not my best flying experience.

Went to the international terminal and everything is super smooth. Clean and easy directional…read moresigns. They have staff to help with customers with questions. Went through the custom with smooth sailing. Plenty of shops, restaurants and coffee places to checkout. Also lounges are at 114 on 2nd floor.

Since we booked our upcoming cruise to Australia and New Zealand through our local travel agency,…read morewe worked with the local agent dedicated to cruise travel arrangements. About a month before our March cruise, our agent provided us with our flights and pre- and post-cruise hotel stays. Since we wanted to extend our trip, we were flying such a long distance and staying abroad for about three weeks. However, a month before our cruise, we noticed that the agent had arranged our flights with Philippine Airlines, with a stopover and connecting flight in Manila before continuing to Sydney, AU. The total time with a stopover was 24 hours, whereas a direct flight would only take around 10 hours. Undeterred, we left the arrangements alone and decided to start our adventures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Philippines' international airport. We've never flown on Philippine Airlines before and found the flights to be comfortable, with friendly, polite air crew and very safety-minded. Before we departed from Honolulu, our agent sent us instructions to complete the Philippine Government's Travel Documents as foreign visitors, even though we were only going to be in the Philippines to catch a connecting flight and not leave the airport. After completing the online Arrival into and Departure from the Philippines to Australia, we understood the necessity of these immigration documents for residents and foreign visitors. After deplaning in Manila, we were informed that we needed to be screened by airport security, which we found odd because we and others had just gotten off the plane, had boarding passes for our connecting flight, and weren't planning to leave the airport. Then a series of misunderstandings occurred, and our 5-hour stopover was spent being ping-ponged between security screening on the 2nd floor and the security guard on the 3rd floor. What happened, you ask? Well, after passing through security, the last agent told us to climb the stairs to the third floor to our gate, as we had presented our connecting flight tickets and asked if our checked luggage was being transferred with us. The agent told us we'd have to go to baggage claim downstairs to identify and unlock our bags before entering Australia, but then directed us upstairs. We were puzzled by her direction and worried that if we went to baggage claim, we might have to go through TSA to re-enter the terminal. However, after looking at the stairs' incline, I asked if there were elevators, as I am still healing from my knee replacement and had a carry-on bag and purse in hand. The agent then took us to the elevator next to their Transit Desk and told us to go upstairs. When we got out, a security guard stopped us, looked at our boarding passes, and asked us why our tickets weren't stamped. We asked, "What Stamp?" Because we had just gone through connecting flight or transit screening, and they directed us upstairs without a stamp. However, he sent us back downstairs to security check again. None of the agents remembered us going through, so we stood in line and went through the screening process again. When we reached the end of the process and were repacking our belongings after inspection, I was fortunate to see an agent who had helped me with my carry-on bag before sending us to the elevator going up a floor. He asked why we were back. I told him the upstairs inspector/agent sent us back for some "stamp." We were then sent back upstairs, but this time we were told to tell them we had a connecting flight, had already passed the transit inspection, and needed to identify our checked luggage, but didn't know where to go on the third floor. All of a sudden, we could see a "light bulb" go off in the head of this security guard as he then told us we needed to go around the corner by the WH Smith store, take the elevator down to baggage claim or holding, identify and open our bags to be screened before they could send the bags onto the connecting flight. We got a little worried because we weren't sure whether the elevator would take us outside the airport, and then we'd have to go through security again! But no, there was a sign and an agent from the Australian DHA Baggage Check who assured us we wouldn't have to leave the airport. Once the agents downstairs clear our baggage, they'd stamp or approve it on our boarding passes, allowing our bags to follow us onto the connecting flight. I thank our lucky stars that we didn't have to leave the International Terminal where we arrived and take a shuttle to one of their other two terminals, since it was quite warm outside and we could at least enjoy the cool air-conditioning there. Also, should we ever fly through the Philippines again, we'll know what to do if we have a connecting flight with checked luggage.

An update on my previous thoughts after another annual family trip to the Philippines -- and I've…read moregot to give some credit where credit's due. The new management at NAIA Terminal 1 (Thank you SMC) has clearly made an effort, especially when it comes to check-in and security. Things are smoother, faster, and just feel more organized. Kudos! Now... that said, let's not get carried away. The terminal itself? Still stuck somewhere between a 90s throwback and a low-budget waiting lounge. The seats are old--some downright dilapidated, bless their creaky souls. You'd think with all that foot traffic, someone would've called for an upgrade by now. Entertainment? LOL. Unless you count people-watching and quietly judging overpriced souvenirs as fun, you're outta luck. There's a Starbucks, an Illy, and some okay-ish duty-free shops. But no cozy nooks, no decent lounges unless you're in business class , and definitely no space to just stretch out during a long layover. Wonk! Wonk! So here's my honest take: If your layover is more than a few hours, do yourself a favor and head out for a quick Manila or BGC day tour. There's more comfort and character in a jeepney ride than in most of the terminal seating areas. (Make sure you can exit though, the Philippines do require a visa for some countries) To the vloggers calling this the "worst international airport"--chill. Have you actually traveled around Southeast Asia? NAIA T1 may be outdated, but it's far from the bottom of the barrel. Any seasoned traveler knows there are worse terminals out there. Bottom line: Improvements have been made, and they're noticeable. But NAIA Terminal 1 still has a long runway ahead before it can be called world-class. For now, it's doing its best with what it's got. Just don't expect luxury--and pack a little patience along with your passport Bon Voyage! Mabuhay! Toodaloo!

Getting off of my connecting flight to transition into the airport was smooth and the staff was…read morevery kind, resourceful and helped me get to where I needed to be. I immediately got a beer before navigating my way through the airport in which I found many convenient stores along the way with local snacks! I checked into the 3-hour lounge which allowed me just enough time before my evening flight. The food options were great! They had one of my favorite options: CHEESE & OLIVE plate! Aside from that, there were many local food options available. I was occupied with the white wine and scotch! The overall airport itself waiting at the gates was overcrowded, loud and many areas under construction. If you're not in the lounge area, I wouldn't recommend it as a long hang out spot.

This is for my arrival experience coming from LAX. I like that there are multiple staff on standby…read morenext to the plane exit ready to help those who are in need of wheelchair services like the elderly. There are many men who help out too if you have a lot of checked-in luggages. They are probably expecting a cash tip by the way so only utilize their help when you have many bags. I've come here with family a few times, and if you have someone in the wheelchair, you get to stand in the separate line with them when going through customs immigration. Recently, there is an app you must download called the eGovPH app where you must make an account through scanning your passport. I didn't know you need to click through the app to finish a questionnaire. The officer had us stand all the way back in line to do it, so imagine the frustration after waiting in the line for so long and then needed to go all the way back again and not being able to go back to the front when you finish. Anyways, once I finished the questionnaire and got my QR code, there was a different officer this time. He just asked if we did it, I said yes, and he didn't scan it. Oh well. My biggest complaint was the free wifi offered at the airport. It did not work at all and didn't help out when I needed to use the Messenger app to contact my relatives for a pick-up. I had to use my roaming data just to contact them and ended up receiving a large bill on my upcoming phone cycle. I wish the free wifi was more reliable. Getting picked up is easy once you stand under the proper bay area and see what sign you are under. It was pretty easy to navigate and drive out, but then again I usually arrive around nighttime here at MNL airport.

there are no charging places that work in this entire airport! they do not let you go through…read moresecurity until 3 hours before your flight departs.

Friendly people, but horrible logistics are chronic at this airport, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TO…read moreTRANSFER TO ANOTHER TERMINAL!!! Plan for an extra hour or 2!, or use a taxi for 530pp and an hour to get to terminal 4!!! Their apps for arrival are also very difficult to use and this added further delays.

I was picked up at my hotel and taken to their private terminal for my flight. I was immediately…read moregreeted upon arriving and they quickly assisted me with my items to be processed through security. They handled the rest of my luggage so all I really had to worry about was the personal item that was already on me. My luggage was quickly tagged and was given a claim tag for the item I was leaving in their locker. We were led to the lounge area where we were offered light refreshments. Hotel check-in was also performed in the lounge so when we arrived at the destination, we were able to immediately go to our room. They had games to play to occupy your time while we waited for our flight. Right before boarding, we were shown the safety video. Once they were ready for us, they opened up the door and were given the red carpet treatment, literally. They had the red carpet to guide us to our plane and we were given a chilled towel to help freshen us for our flight. The plane was small and seated about 15 passengers. Each seat had a chilled bottle of water, a woven fan, motion sickness bag and ear plugs since the propellers could get loud. The flight took off from NAIA airport but we had to taxi a bit to get to the runway. The flight actually wasn't too long and we arrived in about an hour. Overall a great experience but then again, it was to be expected since it was part of the Aman treatment.

A co-worker invited us into PAGSS Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1, and it honestly made a difference…read morebefore our flight. Right now it's smaller than usual since the other lounge is closed due to construction from i heard, so seating is tighter than what you would expect from a full lounge setup. Still, it does the job. The space is clean and quiet compared to the main terminal. After dealing with the crowd outside, just having a calm place to sit down and breathe already feels like an upgrade. It's not luxurious, but it's comfortable enough to relax, charge your devices, and wait for boarding without stress. Food selection is simple but decent. There were hot dishes, some light snacks, and drinks available. Nothing over the top, but enough to keep you full before a flight. Staff kept things organized despite the limited space, and tables were cleared regularly. If you're expecting a huge premium lounge experience, this isn't it right now because of the construction. But if you just want a quieter space, decent food, and a break from the busy terminal, PAGSS still delivers. It serves its purpose well.

Its Two Star 2uesday again!…read more PL was right next to our gate at MNL so we decided to give it a whirl. There were mainly negatives. Positives: Not much Negatives: The food is mediocre at best; There are two sections to the lounge. We were in the overflow area that doesn't have a restroom. You have to walk back to the main area; Asshole guests talking on the phone in the lounge. The next time I am in the PI, I hope I have access to a better lounge.

We flew Philippine Airlines roundtrip fr MNL to Boracay…read more Positives: Nice staff; Good leg and hip room in Comfort Class; Checked bag came out quickly; Negatives: The staff on the return flight were all playing on their cellphones at the gate; PAL lived up to its nickname of "Plane Always Late" on the return flight. The gate also changed; The plane on the return flight was a "twin propper". I paid for an upgraded seat, that wasn't upgraded. The flight times both ways changed a few times. I lost track of the departing time each way; The outbound flight changed gates last min. We had to walk down a long corridor, hop on a bus, and climb up a steep incline staircase to get on the plane: Not ideal. I am unfamiliar w/ the local carriers like Cebu Pacific. However, I heard that the local carriers do a good job. Perhaps I will try one of the local carriers next time for local flights.

They kept my check-in baggage hostage and charged me $500 US dollars…read more I asked if there were other options indtead of paying this hefty price and all that was recommended was to purchase a 7kg carry baggage. They could of just upgraded my ticket and resolved my issue. Muybuyah my @$$