Skytrax 2024 Airline satisfaction survey just released

I have used Emirates, Cathy Pacific, Saudia and Qatar Airlines on my trips to the Philippines, all from Manchester and my favourite without a doubt was Qatar. My trip with Qatar Airlines was from Manchester to Doha and then onto Seoul, stopped over for a few days before flying onto the Philippines. I asked the Stewardess for any tips to combat jetlag on the Manchester to Doha leg of the journey and she asked me my final destination and my layover time in Doha and she recommended drinking Sake on my arrival in Seoul and getting my head down about 11pm, worked a treat. That said, I suffer from jetlag mostly when I return to the UK.

I’ve used StarLux twice as it allows me to bypass Manila.       Davao-Cebu-Taipei-LA. 

no problems so far

I've only flown to the Philippines one time (last month), so I can't really compare.  On that trip, I took Qatar and was very impressed with their service (in flight and at the airports), their meals (quantity and quality), cleanliness, free products, etc.  The flights were very long (Dallas>Doha>Davao and back) and I went the cheap route and booked economy, but they made it as pleasant an experience as possible.  I probably won't do that again (at least not economy).

@mati_steve

Your location is half way around the world from the Philippines. Split decision - East or West?

Something to consider. The super gulf carriers do their best to tempt you to fly with their airlines via their hub airports. About 80% of passengers are 'in transit'. As a rule of thumb demand and supply dictates the ticket price based on the time spent on the layover. You will pay more for a 3 than an 8 hour layover. Everyone wants to get to their destination as quickly as possible even though the vast majority visit Phils for leisure.

An alternative option. Hamad International in Doha have sleep pods which you can rent by the hour where you really will sleep. Given the time zone difference between Dallas & Manila this will mitigate the effects of jetlag when you finally touch down at Ninoy Aquino and will feel more refreshed.

Better still the gulf carriers often have 24/48 stopover deals with hotel accommodation thrown in. Heck take a camel ride and see the sights

I remember my first trip to the Philippines where I was going to see a woman from Cagayan De Oro. I flew with Emirates from Manchester to Cebu via Dubai. The aircraft went onto Clark after Cebu so on my way home we stopped in Clark but the passengers going onto Dubai just stayed on the aircraft. There is a 4 star hotel within walking distance of Mactan Cebu Airport (Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino). Back then before the renovations to the airport it was a shorter walk but now it is still quicker than getting a taxi. Lovely hotel, pretty reception staff and very comfy beds so I stayed there before flying on to CDO. I would recommend a night at this hotel for anybody arriving in Cebu and flying onwards to CDO or Davao just to get a good nights sleep and freshen up. The food was good too.

@Lotus Eater

Hahaha.  Thanks for the tips.  My flight to Doha had a 6 hr layover and I slept on one of the lounge seats for a couple of hours.  I must say, Hamad is one of the best airports I've ever been to.  I'll have to check into the sleep pods if I ever go there again.

I actually have a flight booked to the Philippines already for next year, but going the other way this time.  A lot shorter overall air time, thank goodness.  I'm taking Eva Airways out of Houston, which flies direct to Taiwan and then Manila (I've heard Eva can be good or bad, depending what review you read).

@mati_steve

I'm sure you will be looked after by Eva Air. A highly regarded airline at number 8 on Skytrax and used by many Expat.com members. They have some competition though with the new Taiwanese player on the block Starlux Airlines.

I'm flying out this coming Tuesday to Ho Chi Minh with Qatar Airways and looking forward to savouring the delights of Hamad International. Flew once with them around 2008 but that was through the old airport. Unfortunately my layover is only 1.5 hours which gives me little time to explore.

@Lotus Eater

Have a great time there.  I flew in to Hamad at 3am, but you wouldn't know it with all the people there.  So many shops there, including many high-end fashion ones and they were all open/staffed at that time.  Crazy to see.  I heard there is a big drip fountain display in one of the terminals, but I didn't venture around too much to find it.

Been making international flights for 40 years and really haven't found huge differences in airlines.  I liked EVA but simply because they were always the shortest trip time from Texas to Manila,  I think 20 hours which is much shorter than most.  Trip time and price are my biggest considerations,  lately using United.