Your wanderlust was stimulated. A decision to travel again was made. Passport ready. Destination chosen. Budget prepared. Visa requirements cross-checked. Accommodation and itineraries selected. Excitement heightened. But what airline will you book? What makes you decide to purchase tickets from a specific carrier, particularly if there are several options that fly the same routes? Ticket rates? Availability of online check-in? Baggage allowance? Duration of flight? Passenger-friendly service? In-flight meals? Entertainment on-board? Leg-room? Punctuality? Safety and security? Do you usually read airline reviews prior purchasing your tickets? Or just rely and depend everything to a travel agency? Fret not. We tried to gather a bunch of Pinoy Travel Bloggers (Filipino Travel Bloggers) who generously shared their experiences and insights regarding their remarkable long and short haul flights.
Disclosure :
These airline reviews are excerpts from blog posts and submitted entries of my fellow Pinoy Travel Bloggers who voluntarily participated in this collaborative article.
Their own travel photos used for their respective reviews are posted with permission (except for their profile photos on Facebook that I grabbed to post above, oops!).
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the bloggers and do not necessarily reflect the author’s.
The reviews of the airlines on this post are arranged alphabetically as per name of the carrier.
The aim of the author in sharing this post is to impart ideas and real-life-experiences, to first-time-passengers of a particular airline, for them to be guided in choosing their flights.
The author welcomes feedbacks and comments from other passengers and travelers, and most specially from the airline companies featured here.
Should you have queries, kindly address it on the comment thread, to the specific blogger who wrote the review, or you may reach them personally via their blogs’ URLs that are provided below.
12 PTB members reviewed 19 airlines. Hope this helps you somehow in your next travel!
AEROMEXICO by Kin Enriquez | http://www.boardinggate101.com
Destination : LAX-MEX, MEX-CUN | 2014
Flew twice on AeroMexico, one international and one domestic. The first was from Los Angeles (LAX) to Benito Juarez-Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City, and the second one was from Mexico City to Cancun International Airport.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
Booked my flight to Mexico City through Delta.com, as Aeromexico and Delta belong to the Skyteam alliance and they have a code share agreement. I paid $181 for one-way Class T fare. I booked early, about 10 weeks before, so the price that I got was a bit low, just marginally more expensive than that of Volaris, the Mexican budget airline, on the same segment. Class T is a discounted fare, but I get 100% of the miles credited to my Skymiles account. I purchased my ticket to my second flight through the Aeromexico website, also ten weeks early. My Tourista class fare cost $141, including fees. The miles for this flight also accrued to my Delta Skymiles account, earning me 800 miles.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
The aircraft that they used for LAX-MEX was a Boeing 737-800, which is a single aisle aircraft. We took a bigger plane on the domestic flight, with the MEX-CUN flight utilizing a Boeing 767-200 aircraft.
I did notice a flight attendant handling an issue during the LAX-MEX leg. As it was full, not everyone were able to put their carry-on on the overhead bin, including the guy sitting beside me. Apparently he has an onward flight to Peru and he did not want to bag-drop his carry on in the jet bridge, so he was very agitated the whole time. He was arguing with the flight attendant, who was stern and did not bulge. The passenger was left muttering under his breath that he’d never take Aeromexico again. I don’t actually agree with him.
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
There was a slight delay on my flight to Cancun, about 20-30 minutes, as there was no available gate for the aircraft in Benito Juarez Airport. Our gate was only designated about 30 minutes before boarding time, and it was at the end of Terminal 2, which is a bit of a walk from the terminal entrance.
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AIR ARABIA by Doc Gelo | http://www.docgelo.com
Destination : Sharjah – Nairobi | September, 2015.
After I booked Air Arabia via their website for my flight to Kenya from United Arab Emirates, I posted a screen capture of a map of my destination on my Instagram gallery, and tagged Air Arabia. The @airarabiagroup picked up my tag and replied that they’re excited to welcome me on board. It is also noteworthy to note that Air Arabia was generous to offer me sponsorship for my destination of choice on the same year; and I opted to travel from their hub in Sharjah, UAE to Moscow, Russia on December 2015.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
Although they’re considered as as a budget airline within the GCC region, I never felt short of what I paid for, rather Air Arabia went beyond expectations.
Punctuality and service are their edge compared to other budget airlines that I’ve taken flights with.
I liked the leg room provided on my seat in the economy section.
Cabin crew were all courteous and friendly.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
There were less people on board on my flight to Kenya; although on my return, we were packed.
Flights were uneventful; ascent and descent were done smoothly, kudos to the pilots and crew!
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
Their in-flight menu could be improved; more choices, please! Although I must say, I enjoyed the Beef Stroganoff! Yummy!
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AIR ASIA by Jho VD | http://www.mountainsnbeyond.com
Destinations : KUL-SIN-KUL | June, 2011, and other succeeding flights.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
My first AirAsia ride was in June of 2011, a KUL-SIN-KUL trip; also my first self check-in counter/kiosk try. I was impressed by how the pilot handled the landing, a very smooth one, somehow a first for me. Since then, can’t help compare the other airlines on how they maneuver the touch down. Then AirAsia came to the Philippines and they’ve been instrumental so far to our foreign trips.
Nasi Lemak, FTW! We’ve also used AirAsia for our MNL-KUL-SGN then REP-BKK-KUL-MNL trip and in our MNL-KUL-SYD-KUL-MNL trip. The boarding was efficient and the crews were pleasant and attentive. The food, well I’m biased for nasi lemak, one of my faves.
Ohh, what I appreciate also is that I receive from time to time online surveys where you can freely rate and express your feedback on your AirAsia experience.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
I chose AirAsia primarily for its affordability and a fairly sensible customer service… Though a budget airline, they’ve considered their patron’s concerns (based on my experience). My family was supposed to have a MNL-KUL-ICN-KUL-MNL Christmas holiday trip but with the kid’s visas release delayed, the trip was cancelled or someway postponed. AirAsia accommodated our refund request through credits then they went on sale early January which made an early February MNL-ICN-MNL, still a winter trip, for my kids.
We had several local AirAsia flights as well (Davao, Cebu, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban) and even if delayed flights were already usual, we were lucky to encounter only once a one-hour delay.
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AIR NEW ZEALAND by Rain Campanilla | http://wordsandwanderlust.com
Destination : HKG-AKL (2008); WLG-NAN RT (2009; Various domestic trips around New Zealand from 2008-2012.
Tickets Purchased: If not purchased directly online via airline’s website, through Flight Centre (premier travel agency in AU and NZ)
Reason for Airline Choice: To go with the flag carrier was always a sound choice, given that comfort, specifically on long-haul flights was a top priority for me.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
NZ time is always on time. The cabin crew was polite, accommodating and albeit more mature (in comparison to most Asian airlines’ crew), experienced.
Food was awesome! Think gourmet meals, overflowing wine and unlimited chocolates — even in coach.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
On my first flight with Air New Zealand from Hongkong, I had to walk around 50 gates away from where my connecting flight from the Philippines was. Understand that it was my first international travel and I had no idea that airports outside the Philippines could be as big as a CBD. #fml
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
Domestic carriers weren’t as posh as the international ones and some didn’t have entertainment, but it was almost a non-issue.
Price was a bit on the expensive side, but this was during the time where flights in and out of NZ were relatively expensive. The ones to and from Fiji though (and most South Pacific islands) were cheaper given that Pacific Islands were default holiday destinations for Kiwis.
Suggestion : Incorporate as much of the All Blacks in your branding. It sells.
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CEBU PACIFIC by Mariane Ballesteros | http://www.thechroniclesofmariane.com
Destinations : Ilo-ilo (2011, 2013) South Korea – Incheon (2012), China – Beijing (2013), China – Shanghai (2014), Butuan (2014), General Santos City (2014) | Booking done via website.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
I have only good words for all the flights I had with Cebu Pacific.
Luckily, I have never experienced any delays in any of my flights and have always reached my destination on time, sometimes even earlier than scheduled.
Their crew, from the check-in staff to the flight attendants are always all smiles and approachable if I have any concerns.
With regards to any changes in my flights, Cebu Pacific promptly informed me months before my trip. They tried all means of communication (not just email, as some budget carriers might do) and made sure that the message was well received.
I have never tried to purchase any in-flight meals though, because I’d always bring baon or snacks to save a few bucks, but I was able to browse through their menu and I think there’s a good variety that you can choose from
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
Never encountered any issues during my flights with Cebu Pac, I have always remembered the experience to be prompt and smooth. I don’t usually sleep when traveling so it helps that their inflight magazine has good informative articles. They also have mini contests where they give out items perfect for travelers on the go, I actually won a small sewing kit
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
It would be a big plus if they could offer refreshments/snacks for those waiting for delayed flights. I think their website is very user-friendly but I appreciate it if they could improve the ‘Month Calendar view’ function.
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CHINA AIRLINES by Kevin Tsai | http://thetravelguyshops.blogspot.com
Destination : Manila to Taipei to Sapporo | November 2014
What I like / I’m impressed with :
Practical choice in choosing one airlines despite the layovers because China Airlines allowed my heavy check-in luggage to be tagged from Manila all the way to Sapporo, without having to retrieve it at my stopover airport, where I planned to spend a day exploring the city.
Complimentary pen and poker cards as souvenirs together with the in-flight magazine, which was impressive in all three languages (Chinese, English, Japanese).
Some entertainment systems weren’t working. But cash vouchers of 25 USD were available for everyone on our plane to claim! Not everyone did though.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
On my flight from Taipei – Sapporo : There was a mistake and I received a vegetarian (I hate vegetables) meal which was supposed to be served to someone part of a group so I ended up not eating on board again.
When I received my check-in luggage at CTS (Sapporo) airport, it was tied with some rope because it was damaged and had opened. I do not think that the zippers and padlock can be easily removed so I believe my luggage was mishandled.
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
In flight meal from Manila to Taipei was gross, completely inedible (feedback given to the airline already to consider changing supplier).
Despite getting a great deal on my flights, I still feel like I didn’t get my money’s worth with all that had happened. Overall Rating: 2/5.
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DELTA AIRLINES by Kin Enriquez | http://www.boardinggate101.com
Destination : MNL-NRT-DTW-STL, MNL-NRT-MSP-STL, STL-JFK, JFK-NRT-MNL, CUN-LAX, MNL-NGO-DTW, STL-MSP-SEA, SEA-NRT-MNL, LAX-OAK, SFO-STL, STL-DTW-ORD | 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 | Purchased with personal funds / by company through travel agency and online.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
If you’re flying internationally, you’ll get a luggage allowance consisting of 2 bags weighing 50 lbs. each, and you’ll be charged a flat rate of $50 if you exceed the allowance. On domestic flights there is a fee for check-in luggage, but the fee is waived if you are qualified through their Medallion program.
Memorable scenes on board / Unforgettable moments from the entire flight :
I got bumped up to Business Class once, on MNL-NRT leg, which is very cool. I was also upgraded to first class on a domestic flight, from STL to MSP. Unfortunately I was hung over that time so I wasn’t really able to enjoy it fully, as I was throwing up the whole duration of flight.
I’ve experienced instances where I got delayed for more than 30 minutes. The first one was in a flight from Detroit to Chicago, when we have to stop to de-ice the aircraft, and the second time on a New York-Narita flight when there was something wrong with the plumbing. The flight was delayed for more than an hour and we have to go back to the boarding gate so they can fix the problem. While we were taxiing back, the FAs started going around the cabin to give each passenger a $25 voucher that can be used for future flights. I got another $100 credit in my delta.com account when I got back in Manila. Also, a flight from LAX to SFO was canceled due to weather, and I was forced to spend the night at the airport. Delta gave me 9000 miles for the inconvenience, but didn’t book me a hotel room.
What needs improvement / What I didn’t like :
Legroom. Flying coach is vastly different from flying in business class. The seats are narrower and have smaller legroom. On the 747 the seats are arranged in 3-4-3 layout. I get around this by choosing the last four rows at the end of the cabin, where the seats are 2-4-2. I would choose a window seat, so I’d only have one seatmate. On the 777-200, the economy seating is arranged in 3-3-3 layout. The regional jets are small, so the typical layout is 2-2 in the economy cabin, and 1-2 layout in the First Class cabin, which is just a curtained area in front, behind the flight deck.
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EMIRATES AIRLINES by Catherine Iblan | https://seekingfelicity.com
Destination : Manila-Dubai-London, 2015.
What I like / I’m impressed with :
Ticket booked via their website. I booked with them because they’re always one of the top ranked airlines. Aside from that, it’s a long haul flight and I want to make sure I’ll be comfortable during an 18hr flight. PLus, they’re really cheap for the kind of service that they offer – bargain!
One flight attendant looks after only a handful of passengers so every need, request, and question you might have are attended to promptly!
Lots of food and drink choices as well as large in quantity.
The mattress and noise-cancelling headphones were probably my fave feats there.
Service is also really good in the economy section. They never lose their smile, they’re polite and approachable.
When in the economy section, you won’t get hungry at all (food is so impt for me!) too, you just have to go to the galley to get your snacks if it’s not yet meal/ snack time.
Flight departure’s always on time, or if in the rare event that there will be a change in schedule, you’ll receive an email and a text (they do this even for just a 5min change in schedule) so you’re updated.
Also, I know they say you’re allowed only 30kg of luggage, but if you check in almost anywhere (except in our own city of Manila!), they’d let you off for a few excess kg. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f609.png" alt="