Flying in the Philippines

Flying in the Philippines - From Island to Island

Traveling by air in the Philippines has been a pleasure. The flight crews are smartly dressed and very friendly. The planes are clean and appear very well maintained. We have flown on Cebu Pacific Airlines and on Philippines Airlines. The first trip on, Philippines Airlines, in 2007, was from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to the airport at General Santos City on the island of Mindanao.

Everyone has deplaned at General Santos City and we lingered behind to snap this photo.

At General Santos City we were greeted by the Police Band and two official greeters. A very warm welcome to their fine city.

The second trip was on Cebu Pacific Airlines when we flew from General Santos City to Cebu. In Cebu City we stayed at the Golden Valley Hotel. Not far from the heart of the city. We stayed for one night and then flew back the next day to the city of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) on the North shore if Mindanao.

We were warned that it might not be safe for an American to travel by bus from General Santos City to Cagayan de Oro. The US Department of State has a Travel Advisory telling Americans to exercise extreme caution when visiting the island Mindanao. Some have been stopped by rebel groups while traveling across the island. There are several rebel groups there that have 'targeted' Americans. There were no flights between General Santos and CDO. Therefore, to travel safely from General Santos City on the South shore of Mindanao to CDO on the North shore, we flew to Cebu Island and then back to CDO.

This is the plane we flew on from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro.

After a total of about 45 pleasurable days on Mindanao we flew back to Manila.

The third trip was when we flew from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (in Manila) to Mactan Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island (or otherwise known as Lapu Lapu). This is the airport that also serves the adjacent island of Cebu. The two cities are connected by bridges.

Mactan Cebu International Airport

This second time in Cebu we stayed again at the Golden Valley Hotel. A reasonably priced hotel. And the only hotel we have ever stayed at that has a water softener which treats the shower water. Talk about a clean feeling after showering.

The airports we have traveled to and from in the Philippines are efficient and clean. There are some differences from US Airports. In the Philippines friends or relatives who are accompanying passengers to or from the airport are not permitted inside the terminals. For comparison, at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida, USA, friends, relatives and associates are permitted inside the terminals but are not permitted to enter the air sides (or passenger areas) where the passengers wait before they depart and where they arrive. People who come to meet people who are arriving may wait inside the air conditioned terminal. In the Philippines one must sit outside in an open air seating area covered by a roof (sometimes canvas). Or, on benches in front of the terminal, like at the Mactan Cebu airport.

Airport staff in the Philippines are friendly and helpful and make travelers feel welcome indeed. They appear genuinely happy to be serving visitors.

Our last trip was on Seair (a partner airline of Tiger Air of Singapore). We flew from the airport at Angeles City, Clark International airport to Changi International Airport in Singapore.

Read about our trip to Singapore.

See Foods Not To Eat Before Flying.

Read about flying from Manila to the USA via Japan.

Safest seats are in the rear of the plane.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This article will be expanded. Please check back for more information about flying in the Philippines. Last updated June 4, 2022.