Manila Terminal 3 - now fully operational

[thekfc]

For some who will be going to/through Manila in the future, there is some good news.
 
Terminal 3 is now fully (almost) operational and some airlines are ditching T3 and moving all their operations to Terminal 3.
 
In addition to ANA who have already been using the terminal, the folowing airlines have moved or are in the process of moving.
Delta - Moved last weekend.
KLM -   Scheduled to move today, August 4th.
Emirates - By next Friday, August 15th.
Singapore Airlines - By September 1st.
Cathay Pacific - by September 14th.
 
Cathay Pacific and Singapore airlines are moving later as their lounges are still going through the final preparation stages.
 
Cebu Pacific is the only dometic airline using that terminal.
 
The major problem now will be passengers who have a domestic connection to other parts of the PI or connection to an other airline other than the above 6 and Cebu Pacific.  These connecting passengers to other terminals will have to give themselves plenty.
 
For us not only will it be better but also easier as T3 is much much closer to Taguig and we will be avoiding a HUGE majority of the traffic as we will be taking a different route to T3.
 
For me it will be bye bye T1 & hello T3. 

[robert angel]

Hey KFC!--Thanks for posting this--we know you're a busy 'Family Guy'!

We have a ton of American Airlines Miles/Points---one of my last favorite carriers to Asia, but I got the points (about 130,000 miles) for almost free.

Does this help us out at all flying AA to Manila? Of course then we have to move on to Davao from MNL.....

Thanks Again,

Rob

KFC--I called and found out we'd have to switch from AA to Cathay in HK. RT from the  S.E. USA to Manila is about 70,000 AA points, including Cathay's flight. Of course after I called, my wife said "Does Cathay fly direct to Cebu?" (It does) Nobody likes to fly into Manila's Airport it seems...

>>Posted at 07/31/2014 12:02 PM | Updated as of 07/31/2014 12:59 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Two Delta Airlines flights are scheduled to arrive tonight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

Delta Airlines is the first of five foreign airlines transferring their operations to NAIA 3, starting August.

"Passengers of Delta Airlines flights DL 629 and DL473 with an estimated arrival time of 21:05 and 21:45, respectively, will be deplaning from Terminal 3. We are excited to welcome these passengers as they take their first step on this new Terminal," Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is set to move to NAIA 3 on August 4, followed by Emirates Airlines on August 15.

On September 1, Singapore Airlines will also begin operating flights in and out of NAIA 3.

Cathay Pacific is also expected to transfer to NAIA 3 by second week of September.

"We thank these airlines for heeding our call to use Terminal 3 for their operations. Their cooperation plays a vital role for us to achieve our desire to decongest Terminal 1 by some 3 million passengers annually," Honrado said.

Honrado reminded relatives, friends and well-wishers of passengers arriving and departing on these airlines to take note of the transfer dates to avoid confusion.

Flight information offices of Terminals 1 and 3 may be reached at 877.1109 local 2852 or 765 and 877.7888 local 8144, respectively.<<

[thekfc]

Hey KFC!--Thanks for posting this--we know you're a busy 'Family Guy'!

We have a ton of American Airlines Miles/Points---one of my last favorite carriers to Asia, but I got the points (about 130,000 miles) for almost free.

Does this help us out at all flying AA to Manila? Of course then we have to move on to Davao from MNL.....

Thanks Again,

Rob

That would be almost enough points for a round trip for 2, however a few notes.

AA do not fly to the PI so you would have to do one of the following:

1). Fly AA to either HK, Beijing, Shanghai, South Korea or Japan and then continue your journey on a different (partner) airline to the PI.  Personally, I would not fly AA to Asia when I have better options.

2). Or you can just fly on a partner airline (Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines) to their home base and then continue to the PI (to Manila or directly to Cebu - they both fly to Cebu from their home base). To book this way you would have to call AAdvantage.

[thekfc]

KFC--I called and found out we'd have to switch from AA to Cathay in HK. RT from the  S.E. USA to Manila is about 70,000 AA points, including Cathay's flight. Of course after I called, my wife said "Does Cathay fly direct to Cebu?" (It does) Nobody likes to fly into Manila's Airport it seems...

Looks like you edited your post while I was replying.

The 70K points is about right - 35K Economy MileSAAver each way.
That would be from Georgia to DFW to HK (on AA) and then connect in HK on Cathay for your continuation to Manila.

Did they give you the option to fly Cathay Pacific from the USA (either JFK or Chicago)  to the PI? That would be more ideal, inquire about it.

[robert angel]

KFC,

As always, your expertise is appreciated--that's good info for us. Hoping the family is well--I'm pretty sure you heard Piglett and the Missus are expecting a baby too--(And Woody and Innocent Vixen had a baby girl)--you thinking of going for two?

Cheers!

Rob

[thekfc]

.......Of course after I called, my wife said "Does Cathay fly direct to Cebu?" (It does) Nobody likes to fly into Manila's Airport it seems.....

It may just be me but I have flown into Mactan-Cebu International Airport twice (2 different round trips) and I would pick NAIA over it. Yep, (even with  NAIA T1) I prefer the Manila Airport over the Cebu airport.
 
On my last trip we even had to walk on the tarmac after deboard the plane as no gates were available and it was raining lightly.
 
People going to the south of the PI should prefer Cebu over NAIA as that would be a more direct & shorter flight for them - that should be a given. I will repeat again, if you are going to Cebu or the surrounding area and have no business in Manila then you should fly directly into Cebu.
 
Some of the bad rap that NAIA gets is undeserved, I have been through worst airports even here in the USA.
 
Just about all the crap you would get in NAIA (Taxis, agents, etc,) you would get in Cebu & many other airports around the world. Also a lot of the bad rap is based on past reputation and it is difficult & takes time to get rid of negatives.

[dewey4350]

Hey guys just got back from the islands however Terminal one wasnt all that bad. Maybe they were in the process off moving then - I didnt notice. But I flew ANA to Japan. Good to see the Pig back here. Congradulations to him and his family. Just wanted to pipe in a little. Peace out

[thekfc]

Compare to some of the airport that I have been to T1 isn't all that bad.

I have had more problems to/from/at the following airports that NAIA - CDG in Paris, Beauvais, LaGuardia, London's Heathrow, Newark & Philiadephia. Though I would say that at LaGuardia,  I would be off the plane & be home in less than an hour - the problem is more on the departure/getting there side. I have heard a lot of complains about JFK but I have not encounter them as I always fly out/in late at night/early morning and avoid the rush hour.

I have never been there (yet) but I have heard that there are mosquitoes at the Mumbai airport.
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mosquito-menace-at-mumbai-airports-t2-terminal/15153085

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Mumbai-airports-swanky-T2-gets-hi-fi-Nasa-bug-killer-to-fight-mosquito-menace/articleshow/33560033.cms

One of NAIA's big problem is that it is surrounded by 3 of the (constantly in the top 5) best Terminal/Airports in the world - Changi, Incheon, HKIA. Plus you have 2 great airports in Narita & Haneda nearby.

Switching to T3 would be great for us as that terminal is more on the Taguig side and we would avoiding the Makati, Pasay, Manila Bay and Mall Of Asia (and the likes) crowd.

[Jhengsman]

The NBI just broke up an attempt to bomb terminal 3
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/09/01/14/vehicle-explosives-found-naia