ATTN: Philippines Portal members

[HotPinay-KoolKano 10]

Two years ago, on my way here I also had a layover in Japan but I did not deal any Japan Custom officials. The only thing I did was, transferred into another gate and had my ticket validated.

Salamat Manang,

May I assume you only had a 2 hour layover? I know from prior experience that with short layovers, you may get escorted by a flight attendant to the waiting area for the next flight... My friend recently had a long 10 or 12 hour layover in Hong Kong, he took his family downtown to tour the sites...

Delta has a 2 hour layover price and a cheaper 11 hour price.

Thanks again for your input.

[A and T 82]

Use Korean Air, its really nice , short layover

[ivantulier 1]

My plan is for my wife to go on PAL since they have direct flight to LA and I will fly from Florida to LA and spend the weekend thier and go around LA since I had lived thier for six years. Then I would fly Southwest back to Florida since their the only air line that does not charge for bags. I rather have my wife go through one flight to come to Florida alone since she never has travel outside the Philippines ever. So I want her first coming over a good experince and not a stressfull one.

[Mike's Lucy 14]

It was a 4 hour layover but it didn't feel like it because the time was so fast from transferring and looking for the gate plus at that time, there was a SARS breakout and we were checked before getting off the plane.

Salamat Manang,

May I assume you only had a 2 hour layover? I know from prior experience that with short layovers, you may get escorted by a flight attendant to the waiting area for the next flight... My friend recently had a long 10 or 12 hour layover in Hong Kong, he took his family downtown to tour the sites...

Delta has a 2 hour layover price and a cheaper 11 hour price.

Thanks again for your input.

[Mike's Lucy 14]

for longer layovers like 10 to 12 hours, it's better to ride a train and roam around Tokyo...if you are adventurous.

Salamat Manang,

May I assume you only had a 2 hour layover? I know from prior experience that with short layovers, you may get escorted by a flight attendant to the waiting area for the next flight... My friend recently had a long 10 or 12 hour layover in Hong Kong, he took his family downtown to tour the sites...

Delta has a 2 hour layover price and a cheaper 11 hour price.

Thanks again for your input.

[moonandsun 16]

If you can fly anything other than Delta, do it. I've flown Pal, Jal, Asiana, and Delta to the Phils. When I flew Delta, it felt like I was fying in 1985. The plane was outdated. No flat screens on the seats. Just a big blurry prjector screen. They gave us a menu for our dinner meal, and it was wrong. We had a choice of two entrees. One had chicken with rice and the other had beef with potatos. Well it turned out backward. So everyone that wanted chicken with rice got chicken with potatos and the potato people got rice. It was not a very happy meal. Couldn't tell where in the world you were at all. No flight map to look at.

Guess I just got spoiled with the Asian airlines. Toothbrushes in the CR. Great service (with a smile every time). Nice clean planes that dont smell like they are 30 years old.

Manila-Narita-Detroit-Chicago.

Just sayin.

[TravellingNomad 12]

unless you're planning on leaving the airport, then that's when you'll have to go through customs. but if you're just going to roam within the departure gate areas, you won't even go through them. a couple of years ago i had an 8-hour layover in Narita and i just stayed in the departure area of the airport. did not go through customs.

[magdasal 19]

If you can fly anything other than Delta, do it. I've flown Pal, Jal, Asiana, and Delta to the Phils. When I flew Delta, it felt like I was fying in 1985. The plane was outdated. No flat screens on the seats. Just a big blurry prjector screen. They gave us a menu for our dinner meal, and it was wrong. We had a choice of two entrees. One had chicken with rice and the other had beef with potatos. Well it turned out backward. So everyone that wanted chicken with rice got chicken with potatos and the potato people got rice. It was not a very happy meal. Couldn't tell where in the world you were at all. No flight map to look at.

Guess I just got spoiled with the Asian airlines. Toothbrushes in the CR. Great service (with a smile every time). Nice clean planes that dont smell like they are 30 years old.

Manila-Narita-Detroit-Chicago.

Just sayin.

I agree..Delta sux. I made 1 roundtrip with them last year (first trip was when the route was still Northwest). The last trip with them was hell...the worst flight attendants in the industry...just rude and ugly (in both senses of the word).

But, the schedule is pretty good and they were the best deal for getting the wife to my door step. I hope she forgives me

[HotPinay-KoolKano 10]

My plan is for my wife to go on PAL since they have direct flight to LA and I will fly from Florida to LA and spend the weekend thier and go around LA since I had lived thier for six years. Then I would fly Southwest back to Florida since their the only air line that does not charge for bags. I rather have my wife go through one flight to come to Florida alone since she never has travel outside the Philippines ever. So I want her first coming over a good experince and not a stressfull one.

I'm taking your advice. Gonna go with 'ole PAL... Since I live in LA, it makes the most sense. Additionally, although 13- 15 hrs being cooped up on 1 flight is never enjoyable, your correct, the less stress the better.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I third the comments about Delta. Or US-based carriers in general. Have flown PAL, KAL, ASIANA, and all are much nicer than US ones. I was VERY disappointed coming back from Korea to US, only to discover the discomfort and lack of amenities, plus I had to pay for food and alcohol. What the.....??? As if that $1400 ticket was not enough??? Hay naku...

I think my princess will fly KAL, if possible.

[HotPinay-KoolKano 10]

I third the comments about Delta. Or US-based carriers in general. Have flown PAL, KAL, ASIANA, and all are much nicer than US ones. I was VERY disappointed coming back from Korea to US, only to discover the discomfort and lack of amenities, plus I had to pay for food and alcohol. What the.....??? As if that $1400 ticket was not enough??? Hay naku...

I think my princess will fly KAL, if possible.

I checked out KAL, they will not issue any tickets purchased outside the RP, period. Refused even to quote rates. Said only ticket can be purchased in cash @ office in mnl... bummer

[thekfc 26]

For those worried about customs, this is the general rule BUT it can change from country to country.

A visa is not required if a passenger is continuing to a third country by same/connecting aircraft; holding confirmed onward ticket & all documents for next destination and not leaving the transit lounge.

I think all passengers have to go through a security check from the arrival area to the departure area - may be different for some countries. For my wife it took her less than 5 minutes from getting off the plane, going through security & entering the departure area - that was at the HK airport.

I try to avoid all the US domestic airlines when traveling internationally. My first choice is Cathay Pacific (my wife flew on Cathay coming to NYC) and them Singapore Airlines. If those 2 are not available, then Korean Airlines, BA, JAL & Asiana.

Assuming that there will be no delays (causing miss connections) I would pay for the shorter flight - I wouldn't want my wife sitting in an airport for 11+ hours. If I was with her then that would be a different story - we would go out and tour the city.

And yes, some airlines/TA will NOT sell you a ticket from outside the PI for travel origination within the PI. I sent my wife the money & she went to the Cathay Pacific office in Makati and bought the ticket in person - she also got the 1st time immigrant rate.

[rlogan 2,036]

I was using China Air for years and then Korean Air seemed to give better prices the last few years. Narita and Seoul layovers have both been OK and we have done some really long ones in order to snag better fares. Interesting to hear about Delta. They are never price competetive when I look so we don't fly them.

Philippines Air never seems to beat anyone on price. Well, the price of the ticket is only $3. Then with taxes, fuel charges, the wheels for the plane, the engine, staff and so forth it is $1,450. I guess they think it is productive use of time to play games like that.

[HotPinay-KoolKano 10]

I was using China Air for years and then Korean Air seemed to give better prices the last few years. Narita and Seoul layovers have both been OK and we have done some really long ones in order to snag better fares. Interesting to hear about Delta. They are never price competetive when I look so we don't fly them.

Philippines Air never seems to beat anyone on price. Well, the price of the ticket is only $3. Then with taxes, fuel charges, the wheels for the plane, the engine, staff and so forth it is $1,450. I guess they think it is productive use of time to play games like that.

Currently PAL is one of the most expensive. Pal does have the market cornered as far as 1-way flights are concerned...

Booked her flight tonite, saved 150+ by reserving via telephone as opposed to online reservations...

I know she will feel semi-OK at least with the food selection and the fact that 98% of the peeps on the plane will speak Tagalog or Bisaya.