General Info

[AussieGaigin]

I've been considering a trip (from Sydney) to Japan later this year, and looking at prices I see PAL is offering fares as low as US $600 return with stop overs in MNL.

I'd consider spending a couple of days in Manilla to sample some of the delights I read about here.

What is the general consensus about the service on PAL?

[WestCoast1]

WTF! Really, jesus no wonder we don't have customers. You gals just deal with the Koreans and other guys in Asia until this calms down as their tickets are 200 bucks, lucky bastards. I too would be there all the time for that price. Sorry for the rant, it just sucks the airlines are doing this.

You've made the Pattaya case.

I hear you on the US domestic airfare issue. A few months ago while looking at prices, I found MNL / SFO for just under $800 OW (12 hours flying and 7,000 miles straight line, 11.4 cents per mile). A cheap flight from SFO to Chicago OW was $490 all in (4 hours flying and 1846 miles, 26.5 cents per mile). Domestic travel in the US is pricey. And in my opinion, on all such domestic aircraft, some of the crappiest and uncomfortable seats ever. OITNB, and these non-adjustable hard plastic seats are solidly in place on all airlines (you can pay to upgrade to seats with a better pitch -- more legroom -- but not to a seat that lays back or has more cushion).

https://www.airmilescalculator.com/ (Caution slow website).

[Locamotive]

Hardly surprising considering all the restrictions and red tape deterring travel.

And air fares are still high, with reduced services. Probably another 12 months before these stabilize.

Yes they are, very high especially from East Coast of US. Prior to the COVID lockdown tickets were 1000 or $1200 then ID add a better legroom seat and bump it to 14 to $1500,Not cheap but not too bad. Couple months ago it went to $1800 in the back crap seat but I needed to go. Now I thought I might go back next month $2000 and above! This is ridiculous. This is not inflation not in 2 years this is the airlines trying to rape people to make up for lost revenue. Not that I blame them as my flights were packed, all of them. What happened to the population is hurting after COVID as allot did not work and times are going to be tight. Looking at airports you would never know this. Then you add 50 bucks a night in a decent condo or hotel 14 days (my minimum) 700 to $800 plus taxes and your looking at 3 grand just to get there and have a bed. This is insane. The reason we go is lots of choices and cost of the ladies. This is not cost effective, I imagine but never tried you can get US hookers for 500 bucks maybe not Filipina quality, but still easier and allot less trouble. Bar girls are texting me that customer traffic is down, wonder why??Cost girls as its insane now, at least from US 100000 p just to get there. WTF! Really, jesus no wonder we don't have customers. You gals just deal with the Koreans and other guys in Asia until this calms down as their tickets are 200 bucks, lucky bastards. I too would be there all the time for that price. Sorry for the rant, it just sucks the airlines are doing this.

[WestCoast1]

Flight costs maybe?

Regardless the reason, it seems to be happening elsewhere. These were posts from a few days ago in the BKK Reports / Thailand section:

The report I have seen, and attached link below, says that visitor numbers were down 20% week on week from one year ago for first week of May.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thail...onomy/40027431

You could be right.

Still let's use 1,000,000 in April. Still a Huge drop from Pre Coronavirus. Pre was approching 4,000,000 a month.

Thailand has lost its Mojo.

You were misinformed. International arrivals in April 2022 were just short of 300,000. In April 2023,2. 1 million. For a better indicator of tourism to Thailand I'd suggest places like Terminal 21 or Platinum Mall. They're jammed.

[Dashing Don]

Hardly surprising considering all the restrictions and red tape deterring travel.

And air fares are still high, with reduced services. Probably another 12 months before these stabilize.

Yes, the airfares are sky high. NY JFK to MNL on Philippine Airlines is routinely $2500-3000 if booked less than 3 months in advance. Gone are the days of just deciding to go on a trip just a few weeks in advance.

I've booked two trips with Phil air both more than 4 months in advance and the price was $1200 approx which I consider reasonable.

[AussieGaigin]

Hardly surprising considering all the restrictions and red tape deterring travel.

And air fares are still high, with reduced services. Probably another 12 months before these stabilize.

[Albert9989]

As a thought, the number of visitors must be way down. The Makati thread on the Phils section is normally a vibrant, oft-utilized thread. Bar and resto FR's, and questions about bars and hotels. Its last post was 2 weeks ago (April 27). Everyone will have an opinion as to why.

Flight costs maybe?

[WestCoast1]

As a thought, the number of visitors must be way down.

It is like this everywhere. The activity on the threads in all the Asian countries is a fraction of what it was in 2019.

Well then, more trim available for you and me. Bring your vitamins, start your engines.

[AggieDad1]

As a thought, the number of visitors must be way down. The Makati thread on the Phils section is normally a vibrant, oft-utilized thread. Bar and resto FR's, and questions about bars and hotels. Its last post was 2 weeks ago (April 27). Everyone will have an opinion as to why.

It is like this everywhere. The activity on the threads in all the Asian countries is a fraction of what it was in 2019.

[WestCoast1]

As a thought, the number of visitors must be way down. The Makati thread on the Phils section is normally a vibrant, oft-utilized thread. Bar and resto FR's, and questions about bars and hotels. Its last post was 2 weeks ago (April 27). Everyone will have an opinion as to why.

[Muttley81]

Just an FYI. I arrived Manila three days ago on PAL. I was asked for my E Travel QR code in LAX before getting my boarding pass and again after arriving going through Manila airport Immigration.

Coming into Manila it's completely standard. Please see posts below, you also now need to register when leaving Philippines. As I said in post however, I did not need to show QR code to exit.

[ForkTruck]

I'm at airport, in typical fashion I completed eTravel requirements and at no point have I been asked to show a QR code.

Id still do it if I were you, maybe immigration was having a bad day.

Just an FYI. I arrived Manila three days ago on PAL. I was asked for my E Travel QR code in LAX before getting my boarding pass and again after arriving going through Manila airport Immigration.

[Muttley81]

I'm at airport, in typical fashion I completed eTravel requirements and at no point have I been asked to show a QR code.

I'the still do it if I were you, maybe immigration was having a bad day.

[WestCoast1]

"Cebu Pacific is proud to resume flights to and from Clark International Airport. Starting this April, fly easy directly from Clark to 15 destinations including Philippine destinations Boracay, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cebu. Every Juan can also fly to from Clark to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok and more! Additional flights to even more destinations are opening in May and beyond, so stay tuned and get ready to book! To really let every Juan fly, CEB is getting three (3) additional aircraft to be based in Clark, on top of the previously announced ten (10) Airbus NEO aircraft to be delivered this year! This furthers the airline's goal to truly fly every Juan to their destination of choice. With CEB's low fares and wide connectivity from Manila, Cebu, Davao, and now Clark, every Juan can fly and fulfill their travel bucket list with ease. Don't wait".

Looks like more flights are going to start out of Clarke in Angeles city come the end of May. See direct a direct flight to Bangkok, Singapore and several other cities.

BM great catch. Just found one direct from my province to CRK. So, backpack in hand, I could be nuts deep in AC gogo poon 2 hours after wheels up for $30. Yes!

[Breadman]

"Cebu Pacific is proud to resume flights to and from Clark International Airport. Starting this April, fly easy directly from Clark to 15 destinations including Philippine destinations Boracay, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cebu. Every Juan can also fly to from Clark to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok and more! Additional flights to even more destinations are opening in May and beyond, so stay tuned and get ready to book! To really let every Juan fly, CEB is getting three (3) additional aircraft to be based in Clark, on top of the previously announced ten (10) Airbus NEO aircraft to be delivered this year! This furthers the airline's goal to truly fly every Juan to their destination of choice. With CEB's low fares and wide connectivity from Manila, Cebu, Davao, and now Clark, every Juan can fly and fulfill their travel bucket list with ease. Don't wait".

Looks like more flights are going to start out of Clarke in Angeles city come the end of May. See direct a direct flight to Bangkok, Singapore and several other cities.