Flying To Singapore

Changi Airport Singapore

Flying to Singapore

It is possible to stay in the Philippines for up to a year by getting visa extensions from the immigration office. Before a year has passed it is necessary to leave the Philippines. One may return and start the visa process all over again. Many people fly to Macau, Hong Kong or Singapore and then back to the Philippines (read "Singapore is a FINE city..." below before deciding where to go). There is a way, I am told, to extend beyond one year by going and inquiring at the main immigration office in Manila. A person who marries a Filipino may apply for Permanent Residency and thus avoid the bimonthly visa renewal process.

Well, in February 2011 it was time to leave the Philippines. This time I decided to take my wife with me.

Flying on Seair. Boarding Seair at
DMIA to fly to Singapore. 

Made reservations online to fly round trip to Singapore's Changi Airport via Seair. They had the lowest advertised fares to Singapore. I paid $5.00 extra each for the right to be the "First to Board". The flight to Singapore was a new route for Seair. They had only started flying it about a month before our flight.

Early in the morning on the day of our departure we left our apartment and boarded a jeepney on Magalang-Angeles Road. Then proceeded by jeepney to the jeepney terminal at Marquee Mall in Angeles City. There we boarded a jeepney bound for SM City Clark Mall. Just before the mall, on the left side of the road is another jeepney terminal. There we hired a jeepney "for private use" for 200 pesos to take us and our luggage directly to the airport terminal. A taxi would have cost from 300 to 400 pesos. One may always hire a regular jeepney "for private use." I am sure the drivers are happy not to have to wait for the jeepney to fill up with passengers to make the same amount of money.

My complaints about Seair and how they did not respond to complaints.

We arrived at Diosado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) 2 hours before departure (the required time).

We were there early, with plenty of time to spare, before boarding time. I asked about the "First to Board" feature and was told we were too late. Obviously, the staff had not been told of the feature! I showed them our tickets indicating "First to Board" and then we proceeded to walk to the front of the line.

A Seair staff member asked "Sir, where are you going?" I replied, "to the front of the line because we paid for "First to Board." We were told "You need to be here earlier than the other passengers to be the first in line."

So much for the little luxury we thought we would enjoy. But never argue with airport personnel if you want to get on the plane.

We boarded the plane at DMIA. When the plane was about to take off the pilot spoke over the intercom system, "Welcome to Ceb..uh, Seair flight to Singapore...". He must have just started working for Seair after having been flying for Cebu Pacific.

Our experience with Seair at Changi Airport for our return flight to the Philippines was the same. We were not "First to Board!"

We had a bad experience with Seair. After arriving back in the Philippines, we searched the Seair website to find out how to complain to the airline and ask for a refund of the "First to Board" fee. It explained that all inquiries or complaints must be mailed by snail mail to the main office. I figured that we would probably never hear back from them, so we never did it.

I advise you not to purchase "First to Board" from Seair or kiss your money goodbye.

Since then, they have finally added a "Contact Us" form to their web site. After I found the form on July 13, 2012, I sent them my request for a refund of the $20 US that we had spent for R/T "First to Board."
Update: as of today, January 6, 2024, I have still not received a reply. Will post here as soon as I receive a reply from Seair.

Note: I just visited the Seair site and discovered that they no longer fly passenger jets. Hmm, I wonder why? 

It would probably be best to fly a different airline. One that responds to complaints and requests.

If you have had an experience with Seair why not share it with others by adding a comment below.

Singapore A FINE City

WARNING. Singapore a FINE city. Don't even take chewing gum into Singapore!

Remember, Singapore is a FINE city in more ways than one. Be very careful not to carry any gum or chew any gum when getting off the plane. And do not jay walk or throw ANY litter anyplace except in trash cans. These activities are illegal and subject to stiff fines in Singapore.

Definitely do not carry any illegal drugs into Singapore if you want to enjoy a long life. The penalty is Death!

I told a banker back in the US that I had been to Singapore. He was from Australia and told me of three Australians who traveled into Singapore with children. Illegal drugs were found in the adult's backpacks. "They were all executed!" Did the three Aussies put the drugs in their own backpacks and stupidly carry them through the airport or is it possible someone else planted drugs and they were unaware of it? No matter, they are dead. He did not tell me what happened to the children. So, consider this if you are thinking about visiting Singapore. My advice is skip Singapore.

Be absolutely sure your luggage has been packed by you only.

Trust NO ONE else to pack for you or have access to your bags before you board a plane. Repack your bags just before your flight if you have left them in your hotel room or at a hotel front desk. Check your bags when you arrive back in your room after excursions into the city. And especially before leaving for the airport and boarding your outbound flight! It's best to travel light so that you can also inspect inside your bag or bags before you check them in at the counter.

Think twice before going to Singapore. Don't you think it might be better to fly on Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines to some other exciting destinations in the Philippines instead of to Singapore?!

An excerpt from the blog "Live in the Philippines,"
"You see, in Singapore, private gun ownership is illegal, and very strictly enforced. How strict? Well, getting caught with a weapon (either handgun or rifle) in your possession will get you a 20-year reservation at Changi Prison. Use that gun and injure someone (notice, I said “injure”, not “kill”), regardless of the reason or justification, and you hang."

See Foods Not To Eat Before Flying.

Read about flying in the Philippines.

Read about flying from Manila to the USA via Japan.

Considering buying real estate in the Philippines?

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about flying to Singapore. This page last updated June 7, 2022.