airplane rides

[ram1009 42]

I'm researching airplane tickets on the "Cheap-O-Air" website.  There are a couple of daily flights non-stop between Manila & LAX.  They don't surface in the regular web search and so I wonder how many people actually know about them.  It seems to me that option would be more popular so maybe there's a reason it isn't.  Does anybody have any experience with this?  I'm also wondering how much layover time to allow in LAX to clear customs.  Thanks for any answers.

[flea89 31]

48 minutes ago, ram1009 said:

I'm researching airplane tickets on the "Cheap-O-Air" website.  There are a couple of daily flights non-stop between Manila & LAX.  They don't surface in the regular web search and so I wonder how many people actually know about them.  It seems to me that option would be more popular so maybe there's a reason it isn't.  Does anybody have any experience with this?  I'm also wondering how much layover time to allow in LAX to clear customs.  Thanks for any answers.

i can tell you that i've traveled out of the country twice booking through cheap o air. no complaints. only observation is some flights have long layover times and i believe thats why the pricing is good.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

49 minutes ago, ram1009 said:

I'm researching airplane tickets on the "Cheap-O-Air" website.  There are a couple of daily flights non-stop between Manila & LAX.  They don't surface in the regular web search and so I wonder how many people actually know about them.  It seems to me that option would be more popular so maybe there's a reason it isn't.  Does anybody have any experience with this?  I'm also wondering how much layover time to allow in LAX to clear customs.  Thanks for any answers.

I have done those a few times from LAX to MNL. Just make sure you get good seats or else the plane ride sucks. Anything less than 2 hours at LAX I wouldn't do it as a layover. 

[ram1009 42]

43 minutes ago, flea89 said:

i can tell you that i've traveled out of the country twice booking through cheap o air. no complaints. only observation is some flights have long layover times and i believe thats why the pricing is good.

I have noticed the long layovers when routing through LAX.  For about $100 more you can route through San Francisco and the layovers are much shorter.  Maybe too short.  Good to hear you had no problems with Cheap-O-Air.  Thanks.

[ram1009 42]

49 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

I have done those a few times from LAX to MNL. Just make sure you get good seats or else the plane ride sucks. Anything less than 2 hours at LAX I wouldn't do it as a layover. 

For me, 13 hours in an airplane is intolerable if I were in the pilot seat.  Fortunately the trip is for my fiance.  Others have told me that 2 hour layovers are often insufficient when customs are involved.  It's just a matter of how many international flights are passing through when you arrive.  Too many people.  Thanks for the advice.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

11 minutes ago, ram1009 said:

For me, 13 hours in an airplane is intolerable if I were in the pilot seat.  Fortunately the trip is for my fiance.  Others have told me that 2 hour layovers are often insufficient when customs are involved.  It's just a matter of how many international flights are passing through when you arrive.  Too many people.  Thanks for the advice.

Well that was the biggest issue for me as well especially because we fly with kids. But there is really no other option to go from Manila to LAX without a 10+ hour plane ride. 

[Fogi 91]

My fiance went through LAX 2 weeks ago, immigration was slow. It was a major holiday weekend, so perhaps they were not fully staffed. She had a 2.5 hour layover and missed her connection. To be safe, go with 3.5 or 4 hours. She can always grab a coffee or food to kill time. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

19 hours ago, ram1009 said:

I'm researching airplane tickets on the "Cheap-O-Air" website.  There are a couple of daily flights non-stop between Manila & LAX.  They don't surface in the regular web search and so I wonder how many people actually know about them.  It seems to me that option would be more popular so maybe there's a reason it isn't.  Does anybody have any experience with this?  I'm also wondering how much layover time to allow in LAX to clear customs.  Thanks for any answers.

My wife went through the same Phil airlines trip to LAX and I allowed 4 hours for her to make it through immigration, customs and baggage claim. Then she took the long walk to the gate but on the way she was thankful that she had time to stop and get a bite to eat. She said she used all of the four hours and was thankful for my thoughts. I'd recommend 4 hours. 

[Teachers 12]

I usually start my searches on Kayak.com.  They will direct me to a booking site, sometimes Cheap-o-air.  Airlines often charge a premium for non-stop flights.  I did a search for MNL-LAX for June 8.  Non-stop $797, one stop $504 (through Taipei), 2 stop $281.  I wouldn't do the 2-stop, as I don't know how easy it is to connect in secondary Chinese airports, or what happens if something goes wrong.  But a one-stop through Taipei is definitely doable if you're comfortable with connections in foreign countries where English is not common.

 

I would try for a flight that arrives morning or early afternoon.  I've had international flights delayed by up to 4 hours.  If that happens and you're due to land at 11 p.m., you will arrive in the middle of the night, with no connection until the next morning.

[payxibka 10,045]

On 12/11/2019 at 12:53 PM, ram1009 said:

For me, 13 hours in an airplane is intolerable if I were in the pilot seat. 

That's why there are 3 to 4 pilots on these flights because they don't sit for 13 hours in the seat

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

On 12/11/2019 at 11:57 AM, Cyberfx1024 said:

I have done those a few times from LAX to MNL. Just make sure you get good seats or else the plane ride sucks. Anything less than 2 hours at LAX I wouldn't do it as a layover. 

Same experience several times. Give yourself time in LAX. It can be a cluster.....Flying to and from the Philippines is like having an appendectomy every time)))

Edited December 13, 2019 by boris64

[ram1009 42]

2 hours ago, boris64 said:

Same experience several times. Give yourself time in LAX. It can be a cluster.....Flying to and from the Philippines is like having an appendectomy every time)))

I booked the flights this AM & gave her 8 hours layover.  I think that should be OK.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,369]

I fly from ATL to ICN to Cebu.Last time we got home, the ATL customs was a goat rope. It took us several hours to clear. A few we were in line with missed connecting flights.  As the other poster said I would allow 3-4 hours.

 

The airport in Incheon is usually very efficient. we usually have about a 3 hour layover and have plenty of time. probably one of the nicest airports I have ever been in.

 

Also we have always been very happy with Korean Air.

 

I know it has  nothing to do with LAX or MNL just my 2 cents. we also pay all or bills with Korean Air credit card and usually get one or two free tickets every couple of years