KNOW YOUR DESIGNATED AIRPORT TERMINALS

Finally, I see this tarpaulin at the airport! It is the answer of the questions many have been asking a few months back: whether Airphil will take over PAL or not... 

 This is the link and news release from Philippine Airlines on this issue:
https://www.mabuhaymiles.com/program_news/news/project_winter_announcement.jsp

News

Earn and Redeem Miles on AirPhil Express!!

We are pleased to inform you that effective October 28, 2012, AirPhil Express will become a program partner of our Mabuhay Miles program. This means you will now be able to earn Miles and redeem Travel Awards on both Philippine Airlines and AirPhil Express.  Selected benefits and privileges currently being offered to all our elite- status members can also be enjoyed when flying on both airlines.

With an expanded network of more Domestic and International destinations, this partnership gives you more ways to make the most your Mabuhay Miles membership. 

You may also want to note that starting October 28, 2012 Airport Terminal assignments for Domestic Flights will be by DESTINATION and no longer by airline (for PAL and AirPhil Express ). 

The terminal designations by then will be as follows : 

DOMESTIC Departures and Arrivals

(Starting 28 October 2012)

Domestic Departures and Arrivals
PAL (NAIA) Terminal 2 (near Nayong Pilipino)		NEW (NAIA) Terminal 3 (across Resorts World)
Bacolod	Iloilo	Butuan	Masbate
		Busuanga	Naga
		Cagayan de Oro	Ozamiz
Cebu	Laoag	Calbayog	Puerto Princesa
		Catarman	Roxas
Davao	Tagbilaran	Caticlan	Surigao
		Cotabato	Tacloban
		Dipolog	Tuguegarao
General Santos	Kalibo (PAL)	Dumaguete	Zamboanga
		Legazpi	Kalibo (AirPhil Express)

Well, my friend had already mentioned this about a month ago when we casually met at the airport, but I guess I was hoping it wouldn't push through.

So Zamboanga now departs and arrives at Terminal 3.☹

So much for Elite status... 1) there is no Mabuhay Miles lounge in NAIA Terminal 3... 2) the additional 10 kilograms could not be transferred if the small plane is used... 3) quite inconvenient when travelling abroad since we have to change terminals!☹☹☹

I might use Cebu Pacific more.... we'll see...

Anyway, here is a related link for the next few days from a newslink reminding on the changes of Terminals for some of the realigned flights:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/279809/economy/companies/pal-airphil-to-use-naia-3-for-nov-1-and-2-passenger-traffic-spike 

PAL, AirPhil to use NAIA-3 for Nov. 1 and 2 passenger traffic spike

October 26, 2012 2:55pm

Philippine Airlines and AirPhil Express will use the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) to accommodate the spike in number of passengers expected to head for the provinces on All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, the Manila International Airport Authority said Friday.

The reshuffling of flights is supposed to decongest NAIA-2, home to PAL’s domestic and international flights. PAL and AirPhil are sister airlines – both owned by PAL Holdings Inc.

The realignment of PAL and AirPhil flights will start on Sunday, Oct. 28, said MIAA Public Affairs Office chief Consuelo Bungag. 

“Several PAL flights will be moved to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 while some AirPhil Express flights will also be operated at the Terminal 3 ,” said Bungag.

MIAA said domestic passengers taking PAL and AirPhil should check with their respective carriers and confirm their booking and the corresponding airport terminal.

“We expect a big number of travelers this weekend up to next week who will be traveling to their respective provinces for the All Saint’s Day break,” said Bungag.

“A lot of passengers who had purchased their tickets might have been uninformed of the flight changes and may be inconvenienced by the new operational changes,” she noted.

“We appeal to all passengers to be at the airport two hours before their respective flights and allot enough time for heavy traffic in and out of the terminals.

“Passengers affected by the flight changes will be ferried by PAL and AirPhil to their correct terminals, free of charge,” Bungag added. — VS, GMA News

Such a big change... we will see the repercussions!!!

NAIA TERMINALS: ONLINE CHECK-IN OR NOT

Last May, I was very fortunate to have a short trip to Paris and my flight carrier was Thai Airways.

I was lucky that one of the persons on the trip with me volunteered to do the online check-in for me because I actually didn't bother to think about this. 

As soon as I entered the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, the lady guard said, "Your airline is Thai? The line is really long!"

The queue is the whole length... just have to keep your cool if you didn't do online check-in!

The line is as far as your eyes can see... 

True enough, the queue was too long and snake-like already!

Then, I asked the Thai Airline staff, if there is a separate line for the online check-in and she said, "Yes!".

Wow! there were only three people ahead of me!

The guy in the long queue said, "We also got the ticket online! "

The Thai staff said, "Sorry, Sir. This is for online check-in. This is different from online purchase of the ticket. "


I remembered I stayed in the long queue when I didn't check-in online for Singapore Airlines last year.


MORAL OF THE STORY: 
IF YOU INTEND TO TAKE THE FOREIGN AIRLINES LIKE THAI AIRWAYS, CATHAY PACIFIC, SINGAPORE AIRLINES, EMIRATES, ETC., DO THE ONLINE CHECK-IN FOR A SHORTER QUEUE!


When I took the PAL Flight last March and this August, there was no need to check-in online because the queue was manageable both times and I didn't notice (and I looked!) if there was a separate line for this. The only special separate queue was for Business Class passengers!

These PAL Charming ladies welcome you and point you to the number of the  counter

 

short line for the Immigration

The flow in the PAL Centennial Airport (NAIA Terminal 2) compared to NAIA Terminal 1 is really more relaxing  including the VISA Part and I also like the Duty Free in Terminal 2 (I think also Terminal 1) because the exchange is the existing Dollar Exchange = = example: at the Terminal 2 Duty Free, the dollar exchange is P 41.90 while in the plane, the dollar exchange is P 43.30!
And of course, they have the Travelite thing, which gives a 7% additional discount if you get it when you come back!


NAIA Terminal 3 for Cebu Pacific also feels better because of the newer airport. If I remember right, online check-in is an option and not as necessary than in the situation in NAIA Terminal 1.
Only, since it is our budget airline, we also land at the budget airport wherever our destination is!


If I had a choice, I prefer the PAL Airport (NAIA 2), but that is not the only reason for the choice of the flight carrier  - - there is the cheaper ticket... but beware the midnight flights can still make us spend more with an extra day in the place and not even enjoy it.


AGAIN, don't forget your ONLINE CHECK-IN if you don't want to stand in line too long!