Dumaguete Info Search


Airline Travel Preferences

Discussion in 'Expat Section' started by dadof3at1ce, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. dadof3at1ce

    dadof3at1ce DI Member Veteran Marines

    Messages:
    94
    Trophy Points:
    95
    Ratings:
    +111 / 11
    I am curious as to what airlines people prefer to fly on, and if they fly economy or prefer to upgrade?

    Traveling to and from the USA, I have flown on American, Delta, United, Japan Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. All seats have been economy seats. My favorite so far is Japan Airlines, the worst has been Cathay Pacific-only because we felt a lot more cramped on a longer flight.

    This year we are planning to come back to the Philippines in November, hopefully everything will have returned to mostly normal by then. My plan is to fly ANA and book premium economy seats as they are larger, more comfortable seating(or so the airlines claim). We can afford the extra cost, but not to upgrade fully to business/first class, so this seems like a decent compromise.

    Also, do people prefer to fly into Cebu or Manila? I hate Manila traffic, transferring from one terminal to another, one time it took us 3 hours to make the transfer. Also the lines to clear in Manila are insane; is Cebu any better? I know it is usually just a tad bit more expensive to fly in and out of Cebu, but it would be worth it to us to pay just a bit more to avoid the traffic and lines.I think during Corona all flights must route through Manila, but hoping once everything is open Cebu becomes a viable option.

    So I am curious as to your thoughts-which airline, which seats, which airport do you prefer?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  2. Ozzyguy

    Ozzyguy DI Forum Adept

    Messages:
    322
    Trophy Points:
    141
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Philippines for now
    Ratings:
    +364 / 182
    Blood Type:
    I don't know.
    I mainly fly to Philippines and Thailand, If flying from Perth to Thailand I fly Air Asia. The flights are cheap, service is good, the girls are cute and the food is better than most. However last trip I went Thai air because the Air Asia flight schedule changed and the stop in KL was about 6hrs.

    When flying to Cebu I look at who has the best deal and shortest route time. Mostly Singapore air or Air Asia. Sometimes I go with Cathay Pacific on points for free.

    For me its always a mix between price and the layover time.

    When I was working , (pre Covid) I would fly locally in Aust and go Business class. The company I consulted to would arrange the flights and they booked it, I didn't complain.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  3. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

    Messages:
    4,918
    Trophy Points:
    386
    Ratings:
    +5,588 / 2,888
    Today's Covid update, which I am at this moment watching on TV, indicates 50 to 70% vaccination by the end of 2021. If we assume the lower end of that target (or lower still), then things will not be normal by November. Part of my decision on choosing Manila or Cebu would be based on case rates in both areas - with Cebu very likely to be 'safer'. It is plausible that quarantines might be required for any movements around the country - but I assume you would be vaccinated before you fly (may even be a requirement) and I hope they accept any certificates you have, but, based on current processes on a range of issues, you could find one official will accept it and another will not!

    But, of course, with proper PPE, going anywhere (except perhaps into a hospital!) should be viable - many cases are almost certainly due to low personal care and lack of thinking.

    In every aspect of life, the future is hazy - and very much so with Covid - so your plans need to be very flexible, as I am sure you know.

    Best of luck with your plans.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  4. OP
    OP
    dadof3at1ce

    dadof3at1ce DI Member Veteran Marines

    Messages:
    94
    Trophy Points:
    95
    Ratings:
    +111 / 11
    We are trying to stay flexible, and waiting until November gives us time to see how thing play out. Due to the nature of my work, we are up for vaccination in the first part of February, so we will have a card proving our vaccination. My hope is it will be enough to fly 10 months from now.

    Singapore airlines is very highly rated, as is Thai. EVA is also supposed to be good, and is our second choice to try. They don't however have premium economy on both legs from Chicago to Manila where ANA does. Also ANA is rated higher and is less expensive. The flip side is the arrival time in Manila or Cebu is much better than ANA-we can land and a few hours later catch a Cebu Pacific flight to Dumaguete.

    There are trade offs no matter which way we go, just wondering how others view flights/airports. In my opinion there is nothing better than hearing it from people who have actually experiences.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  5. Ozzyguy

    Ozzyguy DI Forum Adept

    Messages:
    322
    Trophy Points:
    141
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Philippines for now
    Ratings:
    +364 / 182
    Blood Type:
    I don't know.
    One thing that concerns me is all these planes sitting idol at the moment.

    When and if they finally get through this and decide they need to use these idol planes lets hope they check under the hood.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Funny Funny x 1
  6. redhorse

    redhorse DI Forum Adept

    Messages:
    325
    Trophy Points:
    175
    Ratings:
    +269 / 62
    My first flight to the Philippines was on Northwest, so it's been a while! But in recent years we tend to prefer Cathay and check their prices first. A couple of years ago we had to fly on short notice for a funeral, and all the fares were high, so we tried EVA. We thought they were pretty good, and at the time cheaper than Cathay. Connecting airport in Taipei was nice.
    What I will never do is fly Philippine Airlines on an international flight unless I absolutely have no choice!
    My wife was to fly by herself in March (just when the COVID situation started worsening), and she was booked on PAL's non-stop from NY to Manila. Ticket had been purchased months in advance. Her flight was cancelled, we rebooked, that flight was cancelled, then we gave up and requested the refund to which PAL said we were entitled.
    Now there's STILL no refund from PAL after following all of their procedures, complaints, etc. All we get is a "we're sorry, understaffed, quarantine, poor liquidity, just wait" response. Because ticket was booked in advance we were already past the time to dispute charge with credit card company. Many others in the same boat, from what I can see in support groups on Facebook, etc.
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  7. Show Pony

    Show Pony DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

    Messages:
    1,533
    Trophy Points:
    371
    Ratings:
    +2,367 / 1,258
    Patience my friend.
    My flight from Dumaguete to Toronto back in March 2019 was cancelled. The outbound ticket was with PAL. The return portion was with Air Canada. I received a full refund via the online booking agency in November 2019.
    I was happier than a Scotsman getting free food samples in a grocery store.

    PAL flies direct from Manila to Toronto so I prefer to use them. The bags get tagged for Toronto and the 2 boarding passes get issued in Dumaguete. No hassles if there is a missed connection.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  8. hawk263

    hawk263 DI Forum Adept Blood Donor Veteran Army

    Messages:
    440
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Valencia
    Ratings:
    +488 / 81
    Blood Type:
    A+
    Not just the planes to worry about. Some of the pilots will be getting rusty.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
  9. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

    Messages:
    4,918
    Trophy Points:
    386
    Ratings:
    +5,588 / 2,888
    :hilarious:
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  10. OP
    OP
    dadof3at1ce

    dadof3at1ce DI Member Veteran Marines

    Messages:
    94
    Trophy Points:
    95
    Ratings:
    +111 / 11
    If PAL flew out of Chicago, maybe it would be an option, but I would have to connect through either LAX or SFO. I have never used SFO, but didn't care for LAX the one time I did have to use them. Especially if you have short connection times, getting from one terminal to the other, and then figuring out where you need to go is not fun. Does PAL even have premium economy on their long haul flights?
     
Loading...