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.

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.

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.