Your Guide to the Budget Airlines in the Philippines
Going around the Philippines doesn’t have to be expensive. With proper timing and the right mindset (budget airlines means lesser comfort), you can take advantage of the upcoming Philippine holidays to get out of the city and discover hidden gems and places in any of our 7,107 islands.
Cebu Pacific is the country’s top budget airline company
Cebu Pacific
There is no denying that Cebu Pacific changed the way Filipinos travel. For the country’s expat community, this 19-year old airline company provided an alternative means to see the rest of the country. With flights to 33 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations across 14 countries, there is no denying that this airline gets the job done. However, as a budget airline, Cebu Pacific has its flaws. On-time reliability is average at best and there are a few concerns when it comes to customer service. To avoid inconvenience, best to arrive at the airport three hours prior to flight and keep expectations at bay. Main base is Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Manila, with other hubs at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, Francisco Bangoy International Airport and Iloilo International Airport.
Book your flights at www.cebupacificair.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
–
The Philippines’ flag carrier Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines
PAL is not a budget airline — but is considered one of the best when it comes to personalized service. It also offers budget-friendly promos at times which means you get to have great service at a slashed price – the sweetest deal! PAL is also the Philippines’ flag carrier and lauded by its passengers for the exceptional customer service it provides its passengers. PAL flies from its main hub at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal and Mactan-Cebu International Airport. It currently serves 31 destinations in the Philippines and 36 overseas destinations across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Oceania, North America and Europe. Those on a tight budget or into backpacking travel can use PAL’s budget airline subsidiary PAL Express (formerly called Air Philippines).
Visit their website at www.philippineairlines.com or follow them in any of their social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
–
Air Asia Philippines
AirAsia Philippines is the low cost Philippine affiliate of the premier airline company based in Malaysia. The local subsidiary has 12 destinations and calls the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga as its local headquarters. In Manila, AirAsia flies out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Recently, AirAsia Philippines entered into partnership with the owners of Zest Air, another budget airline in the Philippines. This led to the formation of AirAsia Zest which caters to some of AirAsia’s domestic destinations.
Visit their website at http://www.airasia.com/ph/en/home.page/ and follow them in any of their social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
–
Article by Melanie M. Suzon
All images sourced at Wikimedia Commons
