Philippine Airlines’ Manila Lounge & Ground Experience Is Laughably Bad

I must say, up until this point in my journey, Philippine Airlines has been nothing but consistent (and consistency is a key factor in Skytrax ratings… watch out, Air Koryo, they’re coming for you!). After flying Philippine Airlines’ underwhelming A330 business class, I had an extended transit at Manila Airport (MNL). My last transit in Manila was in early 2020, and it involved a terminal change, which ranks up there among the worst ground experiences in the world (and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way!). This time around I was arriving in and departing from Terminal 1, so I figured this would be a much smoother experience, and I’d even get to use Philippine Airlines’ flagship lounge. On the plus side, this time around I didn’t have to take what felt like a city bus ride. But that’s about the only good thing I can say. Manila Airport’s transit experience is really badPhilippine Airlines’ Manila lounge has some issuesBottom line Manila Airport’s transit experience is really bad Philippine Airlines is growing at the moment, and that growth is heavily centered on international transit passengers. Typically when you’re transiting at the hub airport of an airline, international transit is relatively smooth and streamlined. After all, airlines want you to have a good experience, and easily make your connecting flight. Well, as I got off my Philippine Airlines flight, I immediately saw a really long line. “Wow, immigration looks rough tonight,” I thought. As it turns out, that was actually the transit security checkpoint for international passengers. Manila Airport international transit security There was a single metal detector and scanner at the transit security checkpoint. How on earth is that sufficient? It took roughly 40 minutes from the time I deplaned to being through transit security, which is a mighty long time. That just feels totally unnecessary. Once through transit security, you have to drag your bags up a set of stairs, as there are no elevators there. That didn’t bother me personally, but how terrible to think that this is also how seniors are treated (those in wheelchairs get a separate area with an elevator, but that’s it). Then I tried to find Philippine Airlines’ lounge. I followed a signage in the direction of airline lounges, which led me to the PAGSS Lounge. I couldn’t find the Philippine Airlines lounge, so I asked someone, and was pointed in the other direction. Manila Airport lounge signage It took me a good 10 minutes to find the lounge, as there’s barely any signage for it. The below two signs are easy to miss as you’re walking down the concourse, and if the word “LOUNGE” were written any smaller, it would be invisible. Why make the word “MABUHAY” so big, but not the key detail, which is that this is a lounge? Initially I thought that sign was also related to the Australia flights. Philippine Airlines lounge signage Then you take an elevator that feels like it’s about to fail an inspection, before finding yourself in the lounge. Philippine Airlines lounge elevator Okay, I figured after all of that, I’d at least be in for a good experience! Well… Philippine Airlines’ Manila lounge has some issues Once in the lounge, my first order of business was finding an open seat, which was nearly as challenging as Global Airlines getting an air operator certificate. 😉 Frustrating as that is, it’s all too common at lounges nowadays during peak periods, so I’ll hardly ding the airline for that. Philippine Airlines lounge crowding Eventually I lucked out, and plopped myself down next to someone watching stuff on his phone without headphones. I then tried to connect my laptop to the Wi-Fi. I found the Wi-Fi network and password, and I connected, though the internet just didn’t work. I’m not great with tech, but I’m also not a total moron, so I felt like something was off. So I went to the lounge’s front desk to ask if the Wi-Fi was down. The answer? “Actually sir, we have a problem where laptops from other countries can’t connect to our Wi-Fi.” I know she’s just the messenger… but… like… does someone think that should be something that gets addressed… or…? Also, how is that even a thing?!?! At first I was skeptical of her explanation, but sure enough, my phone connected, but not my laptop. Ironically, the free Wi-Fi in the terminal (the signal of which doesn’t extend to the lounge) works just fine with laptops. Next, this lounge has the ambiance of a live auction. Philippine Airlines, can you raise your fares by $10 and just have a “no announcement” policy in the lounge? My gosh, it was boarding announcement after boarding announcement. We’re not just talking about an announcement here or there, but I’m pretty sure the lounge attendant was paid by the word. Boarding for the Melbourne flight was called on four separate occasions. And each of those occasions had a repeat, with “once again…” If you’re going to make an announcement in the lounge every two minutes, could we maybe cut out the unnecessary language like “please prepare yourself and gather your belongings,” “bring your boarding pass and passport,” and “the heart of the Filipino?” I eventually just went to sit in the (crowded) gate area, and thought to myself “ahh, it’s so nice and quiet here.” Anyway, I wish I had the confidence that Philippine Airlines has, having little QR codes all over the lounge, asking guests for feedback on the ambiance, seat availability, and Wi-Fi… I’m delighted you asked! Bottom line Unfortunately my Philippine Airlines experience has left a lot to be desired so far. My A330 flight was pretty rough, while the Manila ground experience just outright sucks. I understand a lot of stuff is controlled by the airport and not the airline, and airport infrastructure is complicated, so all of this is certainly not the carrier’s fault. But the lounge sadly isn’t much better. Like, you have Wi-Fi that reportedly doesn’t work with foreign laptops (however on earth that works), and the lounge attendant informs a guest of that with a straight face, as if that’s normal? Anyway, maybe things will get better onboard the A350-1000. Hopefully the Philippines doesn’t pull an Egypt on me here… What do you make of this Manila Airport situation?