Showing posts with label Airlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airlines. Show all posts

November 11, 2024

Traveling to Melbourne Australia from Manila Philippines and Vice Versa via Wamos Air

My husband booked our Manila to Melbourne to Manila tickets during the Great Mabuhay Miles Getaway Promotion. We were supposed to go to Japan but all flights were fully booked on our travel dates so we tried Melbourne and luckily, there were still slots left. 

Manila to Melbourne 8 hours and 20 minutes
Melbourne to Manila 8 hours and 15 minutes 

A few weeks after we booked our tickets, we received an email regarding “Temporary Aircraft Partner”

“To enhance our service reliability and continue delivering the high standards you expect from us, Philippine Airlines has entered a temporary wet lease partnership with Wamos Air, one of Europe’s leading charter carriers known for its expertise in charter and wet lease operations.    

Wamos Air is also certified by the International Air Transport Association’s Operational Safety Audit, ensuring top-tier safety and service. ” 

So flights from Manila to Sydney and Melbourne and vice versa will be operated using a Wamos Air Airbus A330. This was the first time I heard about this airline so I just hoped and prayed that we would have a safe flight. 


Manila to Melbourne 

Prior to our trip there was Typhoon Kristine so we experienced blackout so late kami nakapag-online check-in. For the first time, hiwa-hiwalay kami ng seats, pero okay lang naman kasi lahat kami aisle seats. I don’t understand bakit hindi kami makapili ng seats na tabi-tabi pero 2 seats naman pala ang vacant sa tabi ko pero nagstick na lang kami sa pwesto namin. 



Just like our Manila to Sydney flight, we passed different Security checks, before the check-in counter, after the Immigration Counter, and at the boarding gate. 

Our airplane is Wamos Air but when you entered the craft, Philippine Airlines pa rin naman yung logo sa loob. The airline staff are a combination of Wamos Air and Philippine Airlines. 

Our seat has a monitor but we can also use “mypalmedia” so wala ng mypalplayer app, ito na yung gamit ng Philippine Airline. 


For long-haul flights, we have a blanket, headphones, overnight kit, hot towel, and two meals. Beef Salpicao for dinner and Corned Beef Sandwich for breakfast.



Melbourne to Manila 

When my husband did the online check-in, we just accepted our assigned seats because we were fortunate na XL seats kami napunta and seated together. 

Our flight was early so we left the hotel before 6AM and arrived at Melbourne Airport just in time for the opening of the counter. I was glad the check-in counter opened 4 hours before our flight so hindi kami nagmamadali. 

The flight was a little bit delayed but boarding was so organized so mabilis din naman kami nakaalis.

This is the XL seat, more space nga. 


Sharing our flight meals. Beef with Mashed Potato and Tandoori Chicken + Brownies. 



I’m thankful for the smooth flight. 

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November 17, 2023

Traveling to Sydney Australia from Manila Philippines and Vice Versa via Philippine Airlines

There are several airlines that fly to Sydney from Manila like Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, and Philippine Airlines. We chose the latter because we were able to score a cheap fare using our miles during the Great Mabuhay Miles Getaway Promotion. 

Manila - Sydney - Manila was our first long-haul flight via Philippine Airlines, other airlines that we have tried for long-haul flights are Qatar Airways and Thai Airways. So I was curious if there will be a difference in Philippine Airlines long-haul flights because we only experienced their short-haul and medium-haul flight. If you’ve read my post about our Vietnam flight, nadisappoint ako sa food. 

Moving on, let me reminisce about our Manila to Sydney to Manila flight via Philippine Airlines. As per our ticket, here is the travel time but during our trip, we traveled in less than 8 hours. 

Manila to Sydney 8 hrs and 35 mins 
Sydney to Manila 8 hrs and 15 mins 

Manila to Sydney 

At the time of our flight, I was surprised when there was a Security Check before going to the check-in counter. We were required to open all our check-in bags; the staff wiped something on our stuff and put it in a machine before we were given a “Security Checked” sticker. 

Checking in is fast, unfortunately, we can’t choose seats na so we settled sa last row na lang. The advantage is, I can recline my seat na hindi ko ginagawa kung wala ko sa last row. The disadvantage is naubusan kami ng food. I wanted the beef + pasta pero naubusan na so for our entire row, we all received chicken meal. 


Our seats have monitor na, unlike sa ibang experience namin na “myPAL Player” lang meron. Pero kapag minalas ka nga naman, sira pa yung headset na nabigay sa akin. I did not bother to request a new one because I prefer to sleep. 



They provided an overnight kit too, the kit includes socks, an eye mask, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.


After a few hours of sleeping, we were given a hot towel and then morning snacks. I was expecting a breakfast meal just like my experiences with other airlines but I was wrong. I did not eat this sandwich and natapon lang. Yes, bawal kasi maglabas ng food from the airplane.


Keep in mind that there are restrictions in Australia so make sure you do your own research and always declare if you brought something from their list. Here is a sample of the declaration form. 


Sydney to Manila 

We arrived at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, three hours before our flight but Philippine Airlines counter was still closed, sabay-sabay halos yung flight pa Manila kaya ang gulo sa pila and sobrang crowded ng airport. 

Immigration is via e-gate, mas mabilis pero matatagalan ka rin if ever nagkaproblem sa pagscan ng passport yung mga nasa unahan mo or ikaw mismo ang hindi maread passport. Natagalan kami dito, mas prefer ko yung may tao na nagcheck ng passport. 

And because of that, nagmamadali na kami so hindi ko man lang gaano naexplore yung Sydney Airport, parang kumain lang and mabilisang bili ng souvenirs then boarding gate na. 

Our Manila to Sydney flight was on time but our Sydney to Manila was delayed, For boarding, we rode a bus pa kaya mas lalong natagalan. 



Here are the foods for our flight, I chose fish kasi puro meat na yung kinakain ko sa Sydney kaso nagsisi ako kasi mas mukhang masarap yung beef ng anak ko. Hehehe! For snacks, natuwa na ko kasi nakain ko na, we had Cheese & Relish Sandwich + Blueberry Muffin.




I did not sleep during the flight so ilang movies yung pinagtiyagaan ko panoorin since I did not download any movies or series sa Netflix.

In addition, my husband has the benefit of "Priority Tag" on his luggage but when we arrived in Manila, we were one of those passengers na late na nakuha yung luggage. Mas nauna pa lumabas yung ibang luggage na walang "Priority Tag" sticker. Sa sobrang tagal namin, nakakwentuhan na namin yung foreigner sa tabi namin na kasabayan namin nauna sa carousel. 

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August 18, 2023

Vietnam Airlines Flight Experience

Vietnam Airlines is the flag carrier of Vietnam which was founded in the year 1956 and this airline flies in 17 countries and 64 destinations. This was our airline when we traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Vietnam. 

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City via Philippine Airlines - 2hrs and 45mins  
Layover 5hrs and 25mins   
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang via Vietnam Airlines - 1hr and 20mins   

My husband booked our flight with the help of a travel agency but when I checked the Vietnam Airlines website, they also have flights from Manila to Da Nang with one layover at Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. So this is another option if you are planning a trip to Vietnam. 

Browsing our ticket, one thing I noticed is the Handcarry Allowance which is up to 10kg because most airlines' limit is 7kg. 

Handcarry Allowance - up to 10kg 
Baggage Allowance 30kg 

Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang Vietnam 

Upon our arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal 2, we need to claim our luggage and walked to Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal 1 for our domestic flight. I am thankful that their domestic airport is only within walking distance unlike in Manila. 

We had more than 5 hours of layover but fortunately, when we went to Vietnam Airlines Counter, the staff allowed us to check in so we were able to explore Saigon without luggage in tow. 


Our Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang flight was delayed for 25 minutes and our boarding gate was changed too so when you travel, it is really important to pay attention because flight information can be changed. 


Airline staff provided wet wipes to all the passengers. This is a domestic flight and there are no snacks, they only provided bottled water. 



Our flight was smooth and we landed safely in Da Nang Vietnam. 


Da Nang Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City 


We had an early flight so we left the hotel 4 hours before our flight. Our travel time from Sheraton Grand Da Nang to Da Nang International Airport is more or less 30 minutes. When we checked in, the staff informed us that there are still available seats on the first flight so she can change our flight if we want but we declined since we have other companions and we are not in a hurry. Our Ho Chi Minh City to Manila flight is still in the afternoon so same lang na maghihintay ng matagal. 

Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City via Vietnam Airlines - 1hr and 20mins  
Layover 4hrs and 10mins  
Ho Chi Minh City via Philippine Airlines - 3hrs  

Our flight was a little bit delayed but it was still fine because we have more than 4 hours layover in Saigon. 


We had the same experience with our Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang flight and the only difference is the “in-flight streaming entertainment”, I don’t know if all domestic flights have this perk but I did not see the flyer on our way to Da Nang. 


Our flight is more than an hour only so watching a movie is not an option because I won’t be able to finish it. 


Upon our arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we need to ride a bus to reach the gate.

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August 17, 2023

How to Get to Da Nang Vietnam from Manila Philippines

A few months ago, I watched “A Tourist Guide of Love” movie; the story is all about Amanda Riley who went to Vietnam to gain insights about Vietnam Tourism. She visited different places including Da Nang and Hoi An. And because of this movie, I decided to continue my Vietnam series. Let me start reminiscing again about our trip; you can check my summary in this post “5 Days in Da Nang Vietnam”. 

Traveling to Da Nang Vietnam from Manila Philippines 

There was no direct flight from Manila to Da Nang so to make our life easier, my husband booked our ticket via travel agency. He purchased our ticket four months before the trip but despite that, our airfare is still not cheap. In fact, this is the most expensive airfare ticket that we purchased for an Asian trip because there was no seat sale, we booked via a travel agency and we rode two airplanes. 


Vietnam is just a few hours away from Manila but because there is no direct flight from Manila to Da Nang, we need to ride two airplanes; one international and one domestic flight. From the time we left the house until we reached Sheraton Grand Da Nang, we’ve traveled for more than 14 hours so it was really a long day for us. 

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City via Philippine Airlines - 2hrs and 45mins  
Layover 5hrs and 25mins  
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang via Vietnam Airlines - 1hr and 20mins  

Manila to Ho Chi Minh City

We had an early flight and fortunately, our flight is on time. There was no monitor on our seat so for entertainment, we used “myPAL Player” app to watch movies. 


It’s been a long time since our last international trip via Philippine Airlines so I was surprised when they serve the food. What!?!, nasa paper na lang yung meals nila. The taste of the food is just okay. Nakakadisappoint lang kasi hindi naman budget airline ang Philippine Airlines so bakit kaya nagkaganito, malayo ito compared sa Bangkok, Thailand trip namin. 



On our way to Saigon, I’m happy to see part of the Mekong River; it is a transboundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. This river flows through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong River is the third longest river in Asia and the 12th longest river in the world. 


After a few hours, we landed at Tan Son Nhat International Terminal which is the Ho Chi Minh City Airport; we passed immigration, got our luggage, and looked for Foreign Exchange Kiosk. We exchanged some US Dollars for Vietnamese Dong and we also bought a sim card for 300,000VND. 


From International Airport Terminal 2, we need to transfer to Domestic Airport Terminal 1 for our Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang flight and it was a long walk. We have more than 5 hours of layover and looking at the Domestic Airport, there is nothing to do. We immediately looked for the Vietnam Airlines counter and we were so happy because we could already check in so we were able to go to Menas Mall Saigon Airport. 


Menas Mall Saigon Airport 

You can already see this mall from the airport, during our trip there are only a few shops that are open so we went straight to the 5th floor where the Menas Food Village or Yum Food Village is located. This food court offers traditional Vietnamese dishes, international cuisine, and fast food. 




My son ordered Beef Pepper Rice at Pepper Lunch for 95,000VND and my husband ordered Lau Thap Cam or Asian Hot Pot at Saigon Bistro for 160,000VND. Softdrinks in can is 20,000VND. Since we frequent Pepper Lunch, one thing I noticed is the price because if I will convert it to Philippine Peso, hindi nalalayo sa Pilipinas so Vietnam is a budget-friendly destination. 



I was excited to try the Asian Hot Pot but unfortunately, it was not a clear soup and I can’t take spicy food so I went to Pepper Lunch and ordered Beef Pepper Rice too. Hindi yata nagkaintindihan sa pag-order. 


What is nice about this food court is the view, you have a nice view of the airport while eating. We took our time eating while waiting for our next flight. 

Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang Vietnam 

Two hours before our boarding, we went back to Domestic Airport and passed Security Check. Our flight was delayed by 25 minutes and the boarding gate has been changed too. 


It was our first time on Vietnam Airlines and upon seated the flight attendant gave wet wipes to all passengers. No meals for this flight and we only got bottled water. 



After 1 hour and 25 minutes, we landed at Da Nang International Airport, from sunny weather in Saigon to cloudy and rainy weather in Da Nang. 


From the airport to Sheraton Grand Da Nang, we availed hotel transport service. Travel time is more than 30 minutes.

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March 14, 2023

3 Days Trip in Cebu

Even though Cebu is not our favorite place, we already visited this province a few times already. Why? Cebu has several flights in a day so whenever there is a seat sale, nakakabook kami unlike other provinces na limited ang flights. 

Last year, Philippine Airlines has a “Great Mabuhay Miles Getaway Promotion” so we did not waste the opportunity and we booked Manila - Cebu -Manila flight for 4500 miles + PHP2879 per person. I was shocked when I learned about the taxes and surcharges kasi wala pa PHP600 yung fee dati kapag domestic flight. But this is still a good deal because nowadays, airline tickets are really expensive.


Manila to Cebu 

This was our first family trip since COVID-19 happened so I was a little bit excited. We booked this flight knowing that my son has no morning classes but a week before our trip, the teacher changed their online classes schedule, nagkaroon na ng morning classes. Waah! I was glad that we book an early flight but I was still nervous, so during our trip, I was praying that there would be no flight delay so my son won’t be absent. 


Boarding is on time but it took a while because we need to ride a bus. We already ate our breakfast while waiting for our boarding so we did not touch the snack that was served. Ito na lang yung meal sa Philippine Airlines, hindi rin naman nakakabusog. I don’t know when they changed it, kasi bread pa yung food last Batanes trip namin. 




Fortunately, we landed at Cebu International Airport earlier than expected so my son was not absent from his first class. The perks of online classes so kahit sa cellphone lang pwede na magclass. Natagalan din sa pagbaba because we also need to ride a bus. From the airport to Sheraton Mactan Resort, my husband just booked Grab. 


Sheraton Mactan Resort 

When we learned that there will be Sheraton Mactan Resort, my husband has been saving his points for this resort so we were delighted when it finally opened before my son’s birthday. We’ve been to Shangri la Mactan Resort and Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa so I am looking forward to our Sheraton Mactan Resort experience. 


Compared to our previous Cebu trips, we did not do any tours and we just had Staycation at Sheraton Mactan Resort. We knew that this resort is not cheap so we want to maximize our stay. We were in the resort for 3 days and 2 nights. As usual, this resort deserves a separate post. 

Read: Birthday Staycation at Sheraton Mactan Resort




Cebu to Manila 

If our Manila to Cebu flight was on time, our Cebu to Manila flight was changed so my husband requested for late check-out. Our travel time from the resort to the airport was less than 25 minutes, it was my first time at the new Cebu International Airport, hindi pa ganito yung airport nung last na punta namin. 



Cebu Mabuhay Lounge 

Yung last Cebu trip namin, kami ng anak ko ang nakalounge, ngayon si hubby naman. My husband has lounge benefits so he ate at the Mabuhay Lounge while my son ate in one of the restaurants at the airport. We just ate snacks since we are still full from our late buffet breakfast (brunch). 




Our flight was rescheduled and it was also delayed so ang tagal ng biyahe namin. Nalipasan na kami ng dinner kasi same pa rin naman ang snack na binigay. 


Despite that, we still enjoyed our short trip to Mactan, Cebu. I just hope na may magaganda rin na resort na malapit lang para hindi na kelangan mag-eroplano pa. 

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