I guess most of us have had, at some time or other, to try and get some shut-eye in an airport lounge after an unexpected delay or lengthy stopover. Now, according to a poll conducted by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports, NAIA Manila has been voted the worst airport in the world. One pollster was quoted as saying that "you would not want to close your eyes there". Various reasons were given but they included gun crime, theft, beggars, bribery, corrupt practices by officials, demands for money from officials, bogus officials, no receipts, overflowing toilets, syringes on the floor etc etc. Hhhhmmm. Bribery ? Corruption ? Dishonest practices ? Scams ? At Manila airport ? Shock horror. I find that so hard to believe. :p sources :- sleepinginairports.net AOL News dated 10 Nov 2011
The worst one I've seen is Christmas Island south of Hawaii. When you depart they lock you in a cage sitting in the hot sun and nothing to sit on or water to drink until the plane arrives and starts boarding, I was locked in for over 2 hours. Ron
Hi Ron...was that Christmas Island....or maybe Easter Island? Christmas Island is a long way off the north-west Australian coast (still part of Australia), not far from Indonesia....and the airport there is reasonably good and has been for many years. No idea about Easter Island but maybe that is the one you're thinking of....towards South America? Getting back to NAIA...has my vote for worst international airport I've ever seen. We had a six hour delay on Royal Brunei a couple years ago....stuck in a holding pen/departure lounge during that time...air-conditioning had broken down...crap chairs, screaming kids, people on the verge of murder. They finally gave us lunch...chicken wings (but I think they stole them from sparrows - 95% skin)...and lice...I mean rice...It's ok if you can get the hell out quickly...but you don't want to be stuck there.. I won't bother about the cop who wanted payment (which he didn't get) for sorting out a taxi driver who wanted to rip us off...LOL...welcome to Manila..
Hi Pat, it is Christmas Island around 800 miles south of Hawaii. It is part of Kiribati/ Gilbert islands. It was a long time ago and I sure hope they improved. There was only one small hotel and only 2 little towns named London and Banana. Ron
Hi Ron...I'm garbonzo....Pat is the real Marine who eats nails for breakfast...I eat vegemite and toast.... I did a quick google and there are Christmas islands all over...LOL....Ours is good (if you like gambling and crabs)...that one you went to - is tihs and 8000k's away....next time you're there - tell them we know how to do it right! LOL...no worries mate....it's a big planet....
Something is moving in NAIA. On Februari 1 the terminal fee will go down from 750 pesos to 550. And by the end of the year, airport tax would no longer be collected in the airport but being collected by the airline the moment you purchase your ticket (like it exist in more civilised country's for decades now) see:NAIA Terminal 1 to undergo P1.16-B makeover | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere
That part is actually disappointing. It means 'disposable' tickets for tourists who need an exit ticket will now be just that little bit more.
This rule of a return- or exit ticket is completely useless and should be abolished anyway. But a "throw away" ticket is not the only possibility. You can also buy a full fare refundable ticket from most airlines. You will get your refund on the account of the credit card that you use to purchase the ticket. And there is a fee for this around 1,500 pesos. Cathay Pacific, Thai, Malaysian and Singapore air all can provide you with a ticket on the spot in their respective city. After arrival you will have to go to their office in Manila or Cebu. The refund will be in your account within 2 months.
TIP:( Only for rich people ) Buy a business class ticket from Cathay Pacific from the Philippines to Hong Kong. Business Flex Routing Philippines to Hong Kong Travel Class Business Rebooking Free of Charge Cancellation Fee No cancellation fee applies See:Ticket Change Fee, Cancellation & Refund Policies - Cathay Pacific UK A one way cost around 600 US $
MMM not quite how Manila would win that sort of contest; I’ve been in much worse international airports, Brazzaville in Congo, it had ¾" of water on the floor in the men’s toilet and the woman’s had a arm guard, and this is in the departure lounge. Think about what it was like outside the “secure area”
