Flights

[mystic]

How are the Philippines connected to the rest of the world?

I was curious and I checked to see which are the direct flights from my country. To my surprise, I found that there is no direct flight from the entire Europe. The last direct flight was from France in 2012.
It really seems strange to me that there is not even a smaller company offering a connection to the Philippines, because we have a lot of filipinos here. Anybody aware of direct flights from Europe?

I will quote this article: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253020/economy/last-direct-flight-to-manila-less-fun-for-travelers-from-europe

Last direct flight to Manila: Less fun for travelers from Europe

It's now become less fun flying from Europe to the Philippines for travelers who can't wait for tropical sunshine.
The country no longer enjoys a direct flight from any European city after Air France-KLM, a merger of the continent's most prestigious aviation brands, flew its last flight to Manila from Amsterdam last Sunday. No other airline had maintained direct flights. Philippine Airlines stopped its direct flights to Europe in the 1980s.
Air France-KLM claimed it could no longer sustain the flights after the Philippine government would not lower or abolish aviation taxes that the airline had been demanding.
Travel agents foresee that the loss of the direct flights won't have a big impact on tourism arrivals, since Air France-KLM had become less competitive than Asian and Middle Eastern airlines which offer cheaper connecting flights to Manila.
What the Philippines stands to lose is the prestige of a direct connection. "Parang nawawala tayo sa mapa," says one travel agent, who asked not to be identified. "It's important to our image."
Still, many individual travelers who are not part of tour packages prefer direct flights, according to Michelle Reus of Unilink Travel Agency. "It saves them time... There are several concerns when travel destinations have connecting flights: there's additional airfare, waiting periods, lost baggage during transit among others."
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez declined to say how the loss of the last direct flight would affect tourism or the country's image, but said via SMS that "we believe that KLM will fly direct to Manila again as soon as conditions improve here."
"The legislature shall soon do away with the fiscal barriers to profitable air business in the Philippines," Jimenez said.
The Tourism chief was referring to a bill moving through Congress that would abolish the "common carriers tax," which Air France-KLM and other airlines had long been complaining about.
"Our flight has become unsustainable because of declining passenger numbers," said Cees Ursem, Air France-KLM's country manager. "If we can't fill the plane, then there is no point flying direct... because overhead expenses for long haul aren't cheap, more so with the Philippines' unreasonable tax regime."
Air France-KLM terminated its direct flight despite the growing possibility of abolishing the tax via legislation.
The government currently charges a 3-percent common carriers tax and a 2.5-percent cargo tax.
Ursem explained that the taxes are especially harmful to airlines flying long distances to reach the Philippines, in view of the high cost of aviation fuel.
"The taxes are levied over the value of the ticket," he said, adding that "European carriers pay the maximum price, regional carriers pay far less, and the Philippines' own carriers do not pay the taxes at all."
KLM, which merged with Air France in 2004, had been flying to the Philippines longer than any other foreign airline.
Starting this week, Air France-KLM passengers from Manila have to fly first to Taipei before proceeding to Europe. — China Jocson/ Howie Severino/RSJ, GMA News

[Edwin]

Direct flights were/are nice for people who can afford to fly that way, as I'm sure under any circumstances those airlines' tickets cost more mony, but if someone wants to fly that way it is too bad that they can't pay a little more money and fly direct, non stop to and from the Philippines. I would never fly non stop, because I am not that wealthy, and I have to look for bargains. The next to the last time my brother in law who lived in the Philippines for many years, called & I got his call because I was in town working on a house, and I had the phone, anyway he told me that he thought that might be his last time that he would fly from the Philippines to the USA because he said his leg room was getting less, and his tickets were costing more. He was a prophet because I think he only made one more flight, then he died of cancer, and now his ashes are looking across the water to Iloilo from Guimaras Island. When Carol flew from SEATAC in 2006 they stopped over in Taipei on their flight to Manila. On my flight to Manila in the year 2010, we had a stop over at the Incheam Airport in Seoul, South Korea. What I am hoping is that reasonable flights can be found, because I have more time than I do money, and I can wait for the ideal times to fly, rather than having to fly on a certain date, and return on a certain date soon. I think a person can still find reasonable flights if that person can be flexible, I am hoping anyway!

[red]

I think I read somewhere that there will be direct flights of PAL to Europe...which part of Europe is I can't remember. I read it on news online just not sure though which one. And yes direct flights are pain in the pocket. I was looking for direct flights to Phils. and found one from San Diego CA to Manila and there is one from NC to Cagayan de Oro! and that last one surprised me and I looked at price and it saddened me That would be awesome direct to my hometown CDO. And it is a new airport now which is in Laguindingan Mis. Or. no longer Lumbia Airport.

[Edwin]

Red, I can understand your happiness about a direct flight to your home town in the Philippines, and then your sadness at the cost! Since I am retired and have all the time in the world, I would be looking for anything that is reasonable, rather than sooner booked, more convinient, and more costly! If a person could find a ship that would allow working for the trip, or part of the expense that would be nice, but I did some looking because Carol is afraid to fly, and it costs a lot more, and takes a long time to get there by ship!

[mystic]

Well, I found that United Emirates company has the best and cheapest flights to Europe. It's with 1 stop, though, at Dubai. I was once there. I remember that, even for a quick stop just to fill in the fuel, they insisted that everybody leaves the airplane. Then, to get back in, there were giant security men who screened every centimeter of us with equipment. Oh... good that I didn't have with me my books in Hebrew, lol.

[Edwin]

I have heard that if you are willing to spend all night in an airport on some layovers you can get a pretty cheap flight. Of course I think what you have to do is search the internet, and learn all you can about reasonable airlines' ticket, be flexible, have lot of time, book your flight not to far in advance and not too soon before the flight either. Some people can't bare a layover, and will not think of an all night layover, but if I could get it a little cheaper, I would consider that a small price to pay.

Before 9-11, was it year 2000? I flew once from our place to the Southern USA, and then I flew from our place to Chicago Illinois, then I flew from our place to Louisiana, and there was very little security. We could walk right in to where the airplanes were landing and taking off. We didn't have to be checked for anything, as far as scanners. Once an airport security official did look in my bags, opened some camera lense containers, because he was concerned that a bomb might be inside, but there was very little scrutteny. in year 2010 when I flew to the Philippines about every time I went through a check point, I had to take off my belt, my hat, my shoes, empty my pockets, put it all in baskets, on a conveyor belt including my carry ons, and then I had to walk through a scanner! I'm surprised they didn't make me take off all my clothes, but I think I would have drawn the line there; maybe I would have stripped down to my briefs and tee shirt, but nor further than that!

[mystic]

Direct flights are usually cheaper (coz you don't have to change airplane) and easier, for those who are not used to get lost in airports. It makes no real difference for me, but for many people it can be daunting.

I can say that every airport is different. In Ginevra, Swiss, despite they have trafficked international flights, the airport is very small. You just walk 50-100 meters, and you take your next flight. Madrid, Spain, is one of the worst airport. To change airplane, you usually have to walk, even 40 minutes, and even take an inner metro. If you don't know very well where to go, you are very easily lost.

And then, there is the connection time. Sometimes you have to wait even 12 hours for the next flight. Some other times, the time is so little and the customs check so long, that you lose the connection. Well... definitely better direct flights.

[Chas]

Direct flights are good, but I did like the Qatar Airways flight to Cebu, changing at Doha. It split the journey nicely into 6 and 9 hours from London so you are not sitting still for too long. The flights were good value and the planes comfortable. I am 6ft and sometimes economy can be a nightmare. It is a shame they stopped flying Doha to Cebu. A custom's agent told me it was because they were not getting the air freight, only the passengers. It needed the air freight on the plane to make money.

Now I try for Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines, both are good. Then a short hop to Cebu from either Hong Kong or Singapore. Both Hong Kong and Singapore airports are easy to navigate and very efficient. I frequently have a two hour connection and make it with over an hour to spare. I typically take 40 to 50 minutes from landing on one flight to getting to the gate ready for the next one. If your arrival at either airport is delayed, once you are off the plane, the airline staff rush you through to make your flight. From handing over my luggage in London, I do not see it again until Cebu.

When I have a trip planned I look at Opodo.com everyday to see if there are any deals. Usually if I am patient a deal comes along. Another site worth viewing for flight deals is http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ you cannot book through them, but it is useful to narrow down your search for deals.

P.S. Just remembered, I think Cathay and Singapore Airlines code share with Philippine Airlines so they do not pay the common carrier tax, but Philippine Airlines does not operate the flights. That is how they keep the prices low.

[Edwin]

Thank you Chas for the insights to cheaper flights. It does pay to spend time looking, pick the cheapest time to fly. That is important for many of us who don't have a lot of extra money. I have flown out of Spokane International Airport for USA Domestic flights, and it is a fairly small airport with little problem of getting lost, or taking a lot of time to get to the flight gate. I have flown out of SEATAC at least two times that I remember, once to Chicago Illinois, and then once to Manila. Both times I had to ride the trolly train to get to my gate for flight. Going to Chicago I did fine, but when we flew to Manila, my friends and I had tickets that we read the wrong number for the flight gate, so we toolk the wrong trolly, until we made a complete circle, then figured out that was not the correct trolly for us. We read the tickets incorrectly, then there was this woman who told us she was from there and she knew, well she didn't know, because she helped lead us astray, and his filipina was mad at him for taking the wrong trolly, she was mad at the woman who said she knew, and she was mad at me for agreeing with her husband; she was just plain mad! That was not the only time she was mad either, but she is a very nice person, and she can get mad once in a while if she wants to!

[Edwin]

Keeping the prices low is great! I will diligently watch for cheaper flights, and thank you, Chas again for your insight! I was 6 feet before I started shrinking, and I hate to admit it, but I have lost a little heighth according to the nurse's measurements of my body. When I flew from Seattle to Seuol, South Korea, I saw people standing up for periods of time, and that is a good idea if you can do that. I was sitting in the middle of three seats on the right side of the airplane, and the woman sitting next to the isle was asleep much of the time, and i hated to disturb her, so I sat for long periods of time, but I think I will try to stand and walk more next time as that is better for your health. that is sad when the airplane can't get as much freight to haul and loses money. If they could make more money transporting frieght, then maybe they could charge us less money! It is okay not to see the luggage until the end of the flight as long as you reunite with your luggage by the end of the flight!