Air Travel Guide

Global air travel is slowly recovering to pre-COVID-19 levels and is expected to continue growing. Major airlines from luxury to low-cost carriers have offered travelers attractive deals and discounted fares as part of their recovery plans.

A new phenomenon, dubbed “revenge travel” is also helping fuel growth in the airline and tourism industries globally. This phenomenon refers to the pent-up demand for travel to compensate for lost time and missed travel opportunities during the pandemic.

Hand-Carry and Check-in Luggage Guide

Airlines have different guidelines on hand-carry luggage, the guidelines can vary depending on the specific route and types of aircraft utilized by the airline.

Philippine Domestic and International Carriers

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines and mainly operates out of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Manila Airport, officially known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Philippine Airlines Hand-Carry Policy

PAL provides each passenger with one piece of carry-on baggage placed in the overhead bin. The dimensions shall not exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm with a maximum weight of seven (7) kilograms.

In addition to the one-piece baggage, a passenger is allowed a small bag, camera bag, or laptop case.

Philippine Airline Check-in Policy

Philippine Airlines has different rates and check-in baggage allowances for their domestic and international flights.

Cebu Pacific

Cebu Pacific (CEB) is a budget and low-cost airline in the Philippines and operates domestic and international routes. The main hub for Cebu Pacific is Manila Airport (NAIA) and primarily uses Terminal 3 for international flights, and domestic flights with 5J numbers. Flights under Cebgo with flight designation (DG) are based on NAIA terminal 4.

Cebu Pacific Hand-Carry Policy

Cebu Pacific passengers are allowed only one (1) carry-on inside the cabin with a maximum weight of seven (7) kilograms and a baggage dimension of up to 56cm x 36cm x 23 cm.

Cebu Pacific Check-in Policy

Cebu Pacific provides international and domestic passengers with add-on check-in baggage options for one piece of 20kg or 32kg Pre-paid baggage. Passengers can avail a maximum of two of these weight options for a maximum of 2 pieces of baggage. Passengers can avail of the pre-paid luggage up to two hours before the scheduled time of departure.

AirAsia Philippines

AirAsia Philippines is a local subsidiary of AirAsia. It is a budget low-cost airline that operates out of Manila Airport (NAIA) and utilizes terminal 3 for all of its flight operations. Air Asia Philippines flights are designated with the Z2 prefix in the flight number.

AirAsia Hand-Carry Policy

AirAsia passengers are allowed on board two pieces of cabin baggage comprising either one cabin baggage or one laptop bag or one small bag.

  • Cabin Baggage: Must not exceed dimensions of 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm
  • Laptop Bag or Small Bag: Must not exceed dimensions of 40 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm

AirAsia Check-in Policy

AirAsia has varying check-in fees for each of its regional subsidiaries, for a full list of AirAsia’s check-in baggage policy and fees click this link. Air Asia Philippines flight should have a Z2 prefix on the flight number.

Air Asia Philippines have different rates for check-in baggage on their international and domestic flights.

Pre-Departure

After you have chosen your preferred airline and booked your flight the next step is to prepare essential items before the departure date.

  • Travel Documents:
    • Passport
    • Travel Visa (Applicable for international travel)
    • Immigration Form/Departure Card (Applicable for international travel)
    • Travel Itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Baggage Essentials:
    • Clothing
    • Medical Supplies
  • Electronics and Gadgets
    • Laptops and Tables should be packed in your hand-carry luggage. Extension cords should ideally be packed in the checked-in luggage.
    • Powerbanks: Powerbanks should be packed in the checked-in luggage.
    • Cellphones: Should be packed in your hand-carry.
  • Money and Currency
    • The easiest and most convenient currency to bring on your travel, especially in ASEAN counties is the United States Dollar. This is especially helpful when you have a layover in between your destination countries as retail stores in the pre-departure area often accept the US dollar together with their local currency.
    • Credit Cards
    • Debit Cards
  • International Roaming
    • Prior to departure, it is important to activate the roaming features of your sim card. Major telecommunications providers in the Philippines are Smart, Globe and Dito Telecommunications.

Navigating Airports

Arriving early at the airport helps avoid stress and unplanned delays. We recommend arriving at least 2 hours for domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights.

Check-in counters typically open 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for international flights. Arriving early helps avoid congestion at the check-in counters and allows for enough time to clear security and immigration.

Ensure that the correct terminal, check-in counter and gate for the flight. Bear in my that the assigned gate can potentially change after check-in. Ensure that your check-in and hand-carry luggage are within the weight and dimension limits before checking in to avoid paying extra.

After check-in, the next step is to pay the travel tax and terminal fee, double check with the check-in agent if this is included in the ticker or needs to be paid separately. Information about the travel tax can be found on the website: www.tieza.gov.ph for coverage and exemptions. Typical rate for Full Travel Tax: PHP1,620.00 Standard Reduced Travel Tax: PHP810.00 Privileged Reduced Travel Tax for dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): PHP300.00

The next step is going through immigration, prepare applicable travel documents and travel visa if required. After going through immigration on security, ensure that laptops and tablets are separated from your bag and remove items like belts, watches and jewelry from your person onto the scanning tray. Follow the instructions of security personnel.

At the Gate and Boarding the Flight

Once through security, the next step is going to the assigned gate. If you still have at least an hour prior to boarding we recommend spending this time to eat and stay hydrated, especially for flights last more than 2 hours as food and drinks served on the plane can considerably be more expensive.

Be at the gate 30 minutes before the boarding call and be familiar with your assigned boarding zone. This can be found on the ticket. Typically, Persons with disabilities are boarded first and followed by passengers with children.

When seated in your assigned seats, ensure that your seatbelt is fastened. Bags should be stored in the overhead compartment and small bags placed under the seat. For persons seated at the emergency exits, familiarize the instructions given by the flight attendants. Bags on the floor or under the seats are not allowed for seats situated in rows with emergency exits.

Arrival and Immigration

Once the aircraft has landed and reached the gates remain seated until the seatbelt sign is turned off. Ensure that your belongings are safely stored in your carry-on bag and check your seat pocket.

Once through the aircraft bridge, follow the signs to immigration and passport control. Immigration officers will typically check your travel documents like your passport or travel visa. Immigration officers can also check your travel details like the purpose of travel and travel itinerary.

Once through immigration, the next step is through baggage counters or carrousel and through customs.