best airlines to travel between phils. and US?

[penguin mahal 0]

For me since Im on the West Coast I go with "PAL" non-stop from Manila to LA, 12 hours! I have to admit for my size its not roomy, but service for me have been ok and I love those little Plane graphics that show occasionally on the TV screens that tell you where you are exactly to your destination, temps, Time there, and How long till destination. and unlike one poster said on another thread I didnt see any Flight Attendants over "50"!

You are so lucky to live that close. We have appx. 3 hrs drive to JFK, then the long haul flight to korea, then another 3-4 hrs to get to manila.

Delta- I second Kevin's statement. Just get me there.

I will say that I thought the Service with Delta was good, the attendants nice on all my six flights with them. They were also on time with all their flights. I just rebooked with them and since I am flying in January, I wanted to avoid flying into a snow piled airport like Detroit, JFK, or somewhere else so since there were so many options, I am flying to Seattle first to avoid the snow. I will let you know when I come back but lets hope I have a good flight.

Happy trip! have a good flight!

[mapletree 33]

For me, the best airline is the one that gets me to Manila the quickest. That would be Northwest Airlines: under 17 hours from Seattle.

I remember when Northwest still flew. They were nice. Delta took over the routes and it has not been the same since.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Used to send Honey Ko on PAL out of LAX for a direct connect flight to MNL. But, PAL wanted $1600 big bucks for the flight this year in Nov. Can you say Ripoff?

Instead, we got referred to a friend's travel agent, and Honey Ko went on Korean Air to MNL for $1100 bucks, with no unreasonable layover times.

Morale of story: Don't overlook travel agents even in this age of DIY internet travel arrangements. I guess they can get blocks of flights and their software lets them see things we can't.

Incheon Airport in South Korea is considered the best in the world for traveler convenience and comfort. And Korean Airlines is on par with Cathay Pacific as well.

Happy Travels!

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

is it true what they say about more room in economy? what was your connecting airport? Seoul?

I'm 6'3 and was comfortable in economy class...

Connecting Airport as Inchon, Seoul Korea. It's a top notch international airport.

[maning 36]

For me, the best airline is the one that gets me to Manila the quickest. That would be Northwest Airlines: under 17 hours from Seattle.

I liked Northwest before they were bought out by Delta. Then it sucked after the merger, but now they seem to have all the kinks out now. Northwest/Delta always seemed to have the shortest flights and their main airport hubs are really easy to get in and get out of... especially Detroit, Nagoya, Narita, etc. I like Cathay Pacific, but it seems all their flights to The Philippines for the east coast region leaves JFK airport and I HATE that airport with a passion. Also my favorite thing about Northwest/Delta was always their Worldperks/SkyMiles program no other program could beat it in my opinion. I have gotten 2 free round trip tickets to The Philippines with it so far. Plus I like that when I fly Northwest/Delta that all the planes I fly are all Northwest/Delta owned planes, so there is no confusion about checked luggage requirements.

I don't understand how people simply judge airlines because of food, how young and pretty their flight attendants are, etc. I want something to get me to point a to point b in the shortest time possible. Also, Northwest/Delta never lost my luggage ever.

Edited December 4, 2011 by maning

[Kevin-n-Merlaine 14]

I've flown to Vietnam and Manila and flew on China Air both times (not to be confused with Air China). I couldn't have been happier really. They had great service and great food and both times they were actually the cheapest. They offer some pretty flexible schedules from both SFO and LAX as well. I missed my departure on my return and was forced to buy new tickets for all of my US connecting flights but China Air didn't charge me a dime, just rescheduled me

[Jared and May 16]

I find that there's more leg room on the Asiana Airlines plane config than on Delta.. Not sure if it's 1-2 inches more, but it makes s huge difference!

[penguin mahal 0]

Used to send Honey Ko on PAL out of LAX for a direct connect flight to MNL. But, PAL wanted $1600 big bucks for the flight this year in Nov. Can you say Ripoff?

Instead, we got referred to a friend's travel agent, and Honey Ko went on Korean Air to MNL for $1100 bucks, with no unreasonable layover times.

Morale of story: Don't overlook travel agents even in this age of DIY internet travel arrangements. I guess they can get blocks of flights and their software lets them see things we can't.

Incheon Airport in South Korea is considered the best in the world for traveler convenience and comfort. And Korean Airlines is on par with Cathay Pacific as well.

Happy Travels!

oh yes, we always book with travel agents. Filipino travel agents to be exact. Wouldn't do it any other way.

[penguin mahal 0]

I'm 6'3 and was comfortable in economy class...

Connecting Airport as Inchon, Seoul Korea. It's a top notch international airport.

Yes, I love the Seoul airport. Its the best airport I've been to. Did you get a chance to explore the Free lounge upstairs? Free internet, and a nice quiet place to relax and sleep. After some browsing online I also saw they have "free" showers.

[southcalhog 43]

Yes, I love the Seoul airport. Its the best airport I've been to. Did you get a chance to explore the Free lounge upstairs? Free internet, and a nice quiet place to relax and sleep. After some browsing online I also saw they have "free" showers.

Yes Penguin mahal, Ichon Airport in Seoul South Korea is by far the best i have been to ever! they are very Passenger service Friendly and yes I have explored all they have to offer. Very Classy Airport! I belive Aisana and KAL owned by same! :thumbs:

[Tahoma 2,291]

I remember when Northwest still flew. They were nice. Delta took over the routes and it has not been the same since.

Northwest/Delta is still the quickest for me.

I liked Northwest before they were bought out by Delta. Then it sucked after the merger, but now they seem to have all the kinks out now. Northwest/Delta always seemed to have the shortest flights and their main airport hubs are really easy to get in and get out of... especially Detroit, Nagoya, Narita, etc. I like Cathay Pacific, but it seems all their flights to The Philippines for the east coast region leaves JFK airport and I HATE that airport with a passion. Also my favorite thing about Northwest/Delta was always their Worldperks/SkyMiles program no other program could beat it in my opinion. I have gotten 2 free round trip tickets to The Philippines with it so far. Plus I like that when I fly Northwest/Delta that all the planes I fly are all Northwest/Delta owned planes, so there is no confusion about checked luggage requirements.

I don't understand how people simply judge airlines because of food, how young and pretty their flight attendants are, etc. I want something to get me to point a to point b in the shortest time possible. Also, Northwest/Delta never lost my luggage ever.

^^^ :thumbs:

Another thing: I don't like to sit around airports no matter how "nice" they are. On the Seattle-Narita-Manila route, the layover at Narita is only one hour and forty minutes.

[thekfc 26]

Flying out of the NYC area, I would choose either Cathay pacific, Asiana or Korean Airlines. You wouldn't go wrong with either of the three.

As for the airports I would rate them as followed:

Singapore Changi Airport

Hong Kong International Airport

Incheon International Airport

These airports are usually ranked in the top 3 every year. This year HKIA is #1, last year was Changi & in 2009 was Incheon.

Although HKIA is the 3rd busiest airport in the world, it is one of the most efficient in the world.

As for luggage (this is for the Asian airlines)- you are allowed 2 free checked bags plus 1 carry-on and a small backpack, handbag or a laptop bag - up to 4 total bags for free. If you are a elite member of their FF club then you are allowed 3 free checked bags (5 total) plus the weight restrictions are more generous.

Also, the Balikbayan Boxes that are carried on an airline measures 18 x 18 x 24 - that is 60 total inches which is under the 62 inches restriction. Therefore, airlines consider a Balikbayan Box your checked luggage - you may call it BB but the airline calls it your checked luggage.

[A and T 82]

Korean Air for me was the cheapest and best, previous i had flown American Airlines and Continental. American airlines was the worst, avoid it, Korean Air so far has been the best, they are very nice, the plane was nicer and had more foot room, cheaper etc

[chipsahoy 3]

I always fly with United Airlines.

Just a heads up, try to avoid Frontier for your connecting flights (if there's any)