NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (NAIA)

Fast, efficient, helpful staff. Mentally I was prepared for the worst based on many other people telling me it will be a painful experience. Fortunately, I had the complete opposite experience and honestly felt like it wasn’t so bad. Perhaps this was because I had a 12 hr layover in Manila; that was regrettable. Went to Mall of Asia for 4 hours. Cab rides to and back were about 35usd. This airport was a pretty good experience for my family. I did have to submit online documents for entering Manila (within my layover time) which took 10 minutes to complete.

It's beautiful, clean, and stores are orderly put together ❤. Ample chairs to sit on, Immigration is fast and efficient. Only one negative comment: The lady in the foreign exchange kiosk didn't change the foriengner's Philippine peso coin to Canadian dollar, I was gonna say something but the lady was so in a hurry to leave. Unlike me when I speak in tagalog and ask how much is $130 and she said P7,410, I gave her the P110 in coins and the rest in bill peso and she didn't say that I can't use my coin😳 . I took a video video of her to post, my daughter said: No, mommy your review is enough 🙄 I still gave 5 stars because we have a great experience and the whole airport deserves it.

Terminal 1 has been upgraded from the chaos of years past. Very organized to get checked in or checking bags. Once you get through, the security lines are not bad for international. If you have Priority Pass with your credit card you get access to 3 lounges in terminal 1. The Marhaba lounge at gate 12 has food, drinks and even showers. If you don't have Priority Pass you can pay a fee for access. Air conditioning and comfortable chairs.

Many horror stories about NAIA among travelers, but my experience is quite pleasant if you have life hacks. First most importantly file your etravel arrival departure info 24 hours before your flight. Make sure it's the correct link, because I logged into a Google advertised fake site and got charged $50.

This is the site: https://etravel.gov.ph/signin

Find a savvy looking porter and give him P600 tip, like $10. These guys earn so little, that's like half a day's wage. You'll get excellent service from your car to the check in counter with the guy watching out for people trying to pickpocket you or rip you off. Spares your back a lot of strain.

Use your credit card privileges to get into a lounge. It's very chaotic and crowded in the common waiting areas and restaurants. The toilets can have a line but the janitors are hardworking and keep them okay.

Be very polite to the immigration and security personnel. They're doing their job and most are sincere but won't tolerate attitude. I like to select the line with Muslim ladies wearing a hijab and greet them salam alaikum. It catches them by surprise if you're from a Western country. If you feel someone is sketchy, be polite and firm making eye contact all the time. Be ready to call for a manager or supervisor without raising your voice or foul language. It will be resolved quickly.

To most first world destinations there is a secondary document and security check before boarding the plane so you should plan at being at your departure date 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure, bring your drink or snack along.

Don't use the airport wifi because there are international grade hackers lurking among the passengers. If you must, secure yourself with a firewall and something like nordvpn.

A change in early check in time makes it easier for passengers not to stand in long line and then find themselves stuck in immigration again as they race against time to board. Thumbs up for the service improvement in this area. NAIA Terminal 1 Departure.

# Airport is not so big not so small
# Do the online check in to avoid the long line to get the boarding pass.
# Security check and immigration is quick when its less crowded depending on the timings of travel.
# Lounges are closed after 11 pm to 6am
# No duty free shops open after 11pm
# Not so much shopping option it's limited
# Washroom rooms are ok.

This thanks deserves the good samaritan tellers in RALPHS FOREIGN EXCHANGE
TERMINAL 3 ARRIVAL.

Apparently I accidentally left my wallet on their counter. They immediately informed the business card in my wallet and i was able to get my wallet back the same day.

So different from what it was in the past. Everyone is so courteous, helpful, and porters are polite, and assisting staffs were excellent. The lines are much more orderly and the flow was smooth. Equipment are all working as well, and not much issues at all. Good job airport staff. Hope you keep the service up there.😃

Very friendly and helpful employees! Clean and not crowded!

Staff at the airport when my wife and I arrived and the 2 beautiful ladies they really help us in filling out the form called etravel they didn't hesitate in helping us they offered us help in filling out the forms and in the baggage handlers they really help us as well very good service excellent it shows how good really Filipinos are amazing they do their job well done proud to be a filipino we will come back again with no hesitation, thank you so much❤❤❤

All of the staff here are very helpful, especially for not knowing the local language. Philippine Airlines put us in a hotel room with meals included because our flight was delayed. They transported us to and from the hotel and everything went smoothly.

Those needing wheelchair assistance will be pleased with the provided service. However, with so many different parts & divisions at the airport, I had to go through 5 security checks to go from domestic to an international flight.

It's comfy and now a lot of food inside hahaha of course i love to eat, and the bathroom are cleans. friendly people

A triumph in polite inefficiency! Silly processes but lovely people. I'll take it all day long compared to the dead-eyed look of American airport/airline workers

Nice place in Manila. Big airport with nice facilitations

Hi security and long lines so come early and be prepared.
ALL Domestic flights now only fly out of Terminal 2.
ALL International flights fly out of Terminal 1.
Easy bus transfers are available.

Clean, efficient facility with very helpful staff.

I never had an issue upon arriving at the airport everything went well and I went through immigration without any delays. Great experience indeed!

First time to fly out of the country at NAIA T1 after almost 30 years. It looks almost the same as I remember it, but it already feels and looks old. And yes, it's small compared to other airport terminals I've been to. The interior feels cramped, walkways are narrow,
and even stores or food kiosks are very small. I think it's about time it gets renovated and given a new, updated interior design.

But our experience from checking in, to the immigration process, and our stay at the predeparture lounge were all pleasant and comfortable.

Restrooms near the predep are very small, especially for the ladies where there's just a few cubicles.

Today there is very heavy traffic. The parking lots that are close to the gates are closed