Flyin AirPhilExpress

Following the success of Cebu Pacific, Philipine Airlines relaunched and rebranded its budget carrier, Air Philippines into AirPhilExpress. Finally, got the opportunity to fly on AirPhilExpress on a recent trip to Tagbilaran, Bohol.

My round trip ticket cost only US$37 for the one hour flight and definitely gives Cebu Pacific stiff competition. AirPhilExpress follows the Cebu Pacific formula. It is a budget, no frills airline flying to the major destinations in the Philippines and at present one international Asian route, Singapore. Periodic promotional prices are offered and in my particular case, it was a one day sale.

The airlines uses new Airbus A320 aircraft and the cabin really looks new and smells fresh. The flight attendants are also young and my flight left and arrive on schedule. AirphilExpress uses Manila's newest international airport, NAIA Terminal 3. Bookings can also be made online at www.airphils.com

My pleasant experience with AirPhilExpress gives me reason to fly with them again as a good option to flying with Cebu Pacific.

Budget Airlines - Asia

Thanks to proliferation of budget airlines in Asia it is now very cheap to travel around Asia. Recently traveled to Myanmar from Manila on a US$120 airline ticket. Got a US$60 Manila Bangkok Manila ticket on Cebu Pacific, and another US$60 for Bangkok Yangon Bangkok on Air Asia.

Cebu Pacific flight left Manila as scheduled 9pm and landed in Bangkok at 12 midnight. It was a smooth flight. There was a 6 hour wait for my Air Asia flight to Yangon. But that's a small price to pay considering the cost of the Air Asia flight was also a cheap US60.

It was my first time to land in the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Was impressed with the design but there's a problem with air conditioning. It was a bit warm and that made the 6 hour wait for my Yangon flight uncomfortable.