I found myself in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, bracing for a popular domestic hop to Cebu aboard Cebu Pacific.
This was a mid-summer journey with the Philippines’ biggest budget airline, and I was about to experience its economy-class offering firsthand.
Cebu Pacific is well-known locally as a no-frills carrier, trading luxuries for low fares. As a frequent traveler, I’d heard the stories, from amazing piso fare promos to gripes about delays, and I was eager (and a little anxious) to see how the airline would measure up during the busy summer travel season.
What follows is a personal experience of that trip, with all its quirks, highs, and lows.
Booking the Flight
Planning began weeks in advance. Cebu Pacific’s website boldly advertises itself as the home of the lowest fares in the country, and indeed my round-trip ticket was significantly cheaper than Philippine Airlines’ or AirAsia’s offerings on the same route.
The online booking experience, however, required a bit of vigilance. The interface was straightforward enough for selecting dates and flights, but as a budget carrier, Cebu Pacific will eagerly try to upsell you on everything.
I had to carefully untick add-ons like travel insurance and meals – and amusingly, the site snuck the insurance option back into my cart when I went back to change my seat selection.
It felt a bit sneaky, but knowing this in advance saved me a few hundred pesos. I opted to pay extra for a checked bag and picked standard seats (I skipped the pricy “extra legroom” rows). Even after those add-ons, the total fare was still a bargain.
With my booking confirmed and e-ticket in hand, I was set – all I needed was to manage my expectations and be ready for a different kind of flying experience.
Pre-Flight at NAIA Terminal 3
The day of departure, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 in Manila a little over two hours before my flight. Terminal 3 is Cebu Pacific’s home base for all its jet flights (those with flight code “5J”), and it was immediately clear that I wasn’t the only one flying that morning – the place was buzzing with summer vacationers and balikbayans.
Having heard horror stories about long queues, I had checked in online via the Cebu Pacific app the night before. This turned out to be a wise move. At the far end of the departure hall, Cebu Pacific’s check-in counters spanned Aisles A and B, and there was a dedicated section just for online check-in passengers.
I breezed past the longer line of people who hadn’t checked in yet (their counters were predictably crowded) and headed to the shorter bag-drop line. The staff at Counter A5 quickly weighed and tagged my suitcase – reminding me of the strict 7 kg carry-on limit for next time – and within minutes I had my boarding pass in hand.
Security at Terminal 3 can be hit-or-miss; today it was moderately quick, and soon I found myself at the gate area. NAIA Terminal 3 isn’t exactly world-class – it’s a functional, somewhat aging terminal with bright white lighting and limited seating.
On this busy day it felt crowded, with families sprawled on the floor charging phones, and queues snaking in front of a popular coffee stall. Boarding was announced right on time, but executing it was another matter. Despite calls for boarding by row numbers, many passengers (eager to grab overhead bin space) clustered around the gate.
The result was a messy scrum, with the ground staff repeatedly asking everyone to wait for their rows. It’s a common scene on Cebu Pacific: the boarding process can feel chaotic if people don’t line up properly. Eventually, I scanned my pass and was on my way down the jet bridge.
In true Cebu Pacific fashion, we experienced a bit of “#BoardingNotBoarding” – after a short walk, our crowd was halted halfway to the plane, queued in the jet bridge for several minutes. I gathered that the crew was still finishing up cleaning or catering the aircraft.
It was a warm, stuffy wait (no air-conditioning in the jet bridge), but at least we could see our Airbus waiting outside, painted in the airline’s signature yellow and white. Soon enough, the doors ahead opened and we stepped aboard.
Slim Seats and Bright Spaces
Stepping into the plane, I was greeted with a burst of cool air and friendly smiles from the flight attendants in their sunny yellow uniforms. The cabin made a clean first impression – bright lighting, white and aqua-blue panels, and seats with a tropical flair. Cebu Pacific’s fleet is relatively young (they’ve been adding new Airbus A320neo/A321neo jets in recent years), and my aircraft’s interior looked well-maintained and tidy.
It was arranged in a 3-3 all-economy layout stretching from bulkhead to galley. Every seat was identical: a slimline economy-class seat upholstered in dark blue leather, with a small green headrest section.
There was no separate business class or premium section – it’s truly one class for all, which gave the cabin a casual, egalitarian feel. Despite the full flight, the crew had done a good job keeping things clean; the floors were free of litter and the seats looked wiped down.
Only the well-worn seatbelts and tray tables betrayed that these planes handle multiple short hops a day.
I found my seat in mid-cabin and stowed my backpack in the overhead bin (space was ample since Cebu Pacific strictly enforces the carry-on limit – no huge suitcases up there, thankfully).
Settling in, I immediately noticed the seat pitch – it’s tight. With my 5’7” (170 cm) frame, I had just about a hand’s width between my knees and the seat in front. Cebu Pacific outfits its A320s with about a 28–29 inch pitch, a bit less legroom than a full-service carrier might offer. For context, my knees weren’t touching the seat ahead, but it was a close call.
The seat width (around 17 inches) felt standard for a narrow-body jet – fine for me, though broader-shouldered folks might brush elbows with neighbors. The cushioning on these slim seats was on the firm side; I could tell after an hour or two it might get numbing (on long-haul flights, some have called these “bum-numbing” seats).
The silver lining was that the seats do recline a few inches, which not all low-cost airlines allow. My seat’s recline button functioned, giving me a modest tilt – just enough to relax a bit.
The tray table was compact but clean, and the seat-back pocket contained a safety card, an airsickness bag, and delightfully, a copy of Smile magazine (Cebu Pacific’s in-flight mag) along with a menu card. Not many airlines brought back magazines after the pandemic, so seeing Smile again was a pleasant surprise.
Overall, the cabin ambiance was upbeat if a bit snug. The bright color scheme and cheerful signage (there were a few advertisements on overhead bins and the seatbacks, but nothing too gaudy) reinforced that this was a casual, holiday-style flight. My fellow passengers were a mix of local families and tourists, many in beach attire already.
As we settled in, the captain’s voice came on to welcome us. He announced a slight delay: due to incoming traffic, our takeoff would be in about 20 minutes. A mild collective groan rose – a delay, however short, is something us Cebu Pacific regulars have learned to half-expect.
Cebu Pacific isn’t exactly famed for on-time performance; in 2023 the airline faced a slew of delays and cancellations due to maintenance issues, even issuing a public apology for the disruptions.
The joke that “Cebu Pacific is always late” exists for a reason.) In our case, a 20-minute wait was not bad at all. The crew remained upbeat, walking the aisles to help a few folks find space for their bags.
I noticed the air-conditioning was weak while we waited – the cabin grew a bit warm and stuffy until the engines started. A passenger behind me fanned herself with the safety card, grumbling about the heat.
It’s true: on the ground, these budget airlines sometimes skimp on max A/C to save fuel, leading to a toasty cabin until takeoff (a frequent complaint I’ve heard from others). I took it in stride – a little tropical heat before we even leave the ground.
In-Flight Experience
Once we finally pushed back and took off, the flight itself smoothed out nicely. The cabin crew made their rounds soon after takeoff, and I must say their demeanor was warm and professional throughout.
Cebu Pacific’s flight attendants have a reputation for being friendly and casual, and I found that to be true. From their welcome greetings to the safety demo, they struck a balance between efficient and cheerful.
One thing I noticed – and appreciated – was that, although this is a low-cost airline, the crew didn’t have that rushed or indifferent attitude you sometimes encounter on budget carriers.
They were all smiles when interacting with passengers, and patient when a family asked for help rearranging seats. That said, service is mostly on-demand here. Don’t expect the crew to stroll down the aisle offering water or pillows unprompted. In fact, unless you purchase something, the crew largely leave you alone.
A fellow passenger who wanted water had to flag an attendant (who then cheerfully sold him a bottled water from the cart). This lack of proactive pampering is normal on Cebu Pacific – the staff are kind, but they won’t be handing out freebies or constant attention in economy. For a short domestic hop, that was fine by me.
Soon, the buy-on-board service began. Two flight attendants rolled out a cart loaded with snacks, drinks, and some hot meal options, starting at the front. I perused the in-flight menu from my seat pocket. The selections were basic but covered the cravings: cup noodles, chips, chocolate bars, sandwiches, and a few hot meals like beef tapa with rice.
Prices were quite reasonable, which was a pleasant surprise – a cup of instant noodles was listed at ₱120 (about $2.50) and a local beer (San Miguel) about ₱140. These prices are much cheaper than many airlines’ in-flight menus, almost like convenience store pricing. I decided to try the beef steak rice bowl, a hot meal that cost around ₱350 (~$7) according to the menu.
After the crew reached my row, they confirmed they had that meal available (pro tip: on full flights, it’s wise to get your order in early as they carry limited quantities of each hot dish).
Within minutes, I had a heated meal box and a plastic cup of ice with my canned soda. To my delight, the food was actually tasty. The beef was tender, the portion decent for the price, and the sauce flavorful – it felt more like a simple home-cooked meal than generic airline food.
Across the aisle, I saw someone else happily slurping a cup of noodles – indeed, instant noodles seem to be a big hit on these flights, perfect for a quick cheap snack.
While I dined, I took stock of entertainment options – or the lack thereof. Cebu Pacific’s flights have no seat-back screens, no overhead videos, and no streaming entertainment. This is the norm on low-cost carriers (and honestly, even Philippine Airlines doesn’t provide personal screens on short domestic hops either).
So, as a passenger, you entertain yourself. Many around me were on their phones or tablets (though with no Wi-Fi onboard, you have to rely on pre-downloaded content or offline games). I had my magazine, and the scenic views out the window as we cruised above the archipelago were a fine distraction.
The airline’s magazine Smile offered a light read about Cebu’s attractions – quite appropriate as we headed there. Occasionally, a crackling voice from the PA would catch my attention: the crew made a few announcements hawking souvenirs and additional services.
At one point they advertised some Cebu Pacific merchandise and a raffle for charity; later, they reminded everyone that we could pre-book airport transfers and hotel deals through their partners.
These salesy announcements were a bit frequent and could potentially annoy someone trying to sleep (I counted three different sales pitches during the flight). It’s another quirk of the no-frills experience – they try to sell extras even while in the air. I was prepared for it, but if you’re noise-sensitive, having earplugs or headphones is wise to drown out the sales spiels.
As for other comforts: there were no blankets or pillows in economy (bring your own if you need one). The lavatory in the back was basic but clean when I visited mid-flight – though I noticed the trash was starting to overflow a bit (again, these short flights have quick turnarounds, so deep cleaning is rare during the day).
One thing I give Cebu Pacific credit for: despite being a budget airline, it didn’t feel unsafe or unprofessional at any point. The essentials – like safety briefings and protocols – were handled with utmost seriousness.
In fact, Cebu Pacific recently even earned a spot among the world’s safest low-cost airlines in 2024, which is reassuring for travelers on a budget. Knowing that helped me relax and enjoy the flight for what it was: an affordable way to get to paradise.
Punctuality and Arrival
Remarkably, once we got airborne, our flight made up some time. The pilots kept us informed with one or two updates en route (“Folks, we’re cruising at 30,000 feet; weather en route to Cebu is clear”).
After about an hour in the sky, we began our descent. The captain came on again to apologize for the initial delay and promised we’d only be about “10 minutes behind schedule” arriving – pretty minor, all things considered.
Cebu Pacific isn’t known for perfect punctuality, so a slight delay was something I was already mentally prepared for. One seasoned flyer quipped that with Cebu Pac, “you get what you pay for” – meaning cheap fares but expect things like cramped seats and the possibility of delays. In my case, I felt a small victory that we were landing close to on-time and without any mid-flight surprises.
As we descended toward Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the view of the islands and the sparkling sea below was stunning. The cabin did grow warm again – the crew had dimmed the lights but likely turned down the air circulation in preparation for landing, and I found myself looking forward to the fresher air outside.
We touched down smoothly in Cebu, and a gentle round of applause broke out (a common Filipino gesture on safe landings). We taxied to what appeared to be the domestic gate area of Cebu’s Terminal 1. Cebu’s airport has a beautiful new international Terminal 2, but domestic flights like ours still use the older Terminal 1.
Don’t get me wrong, Terminal 1 in Cebu is not bad – it’s smaller and a bit dated compared to the new wing, but it functions well. We parked at a gate with a jet bridge, so we deplaned directly into the terminal (no tarmac bus transfers, thankfully). Stepping into the arrivals corridor, I was hit with the warm humid air of Cebu – I had truly arrived in the tropics.
Inside the terminal, the arrival process was a breeze. Within minutes I was at the baggage carousel. I waited a short while, during which I reflected on the flight. My suitcase appeared on the belt in about 15 minutes, intact and on the same flight (always a tiny relief given occasional baggage issues one hears about).
In fact, a friend had warned me that Cebu Pacific sometimes offloads luggage on full flights or misroutes bags – there have been incidents of bags left behind in Manila – but I experienced no such trouble. With bag in hand, I stepped out to the curbside pickup area where the Cebu sun and the promise of lechon (roast pig) awaited.
Final Thoughts
As I left the airport, I took a moment to digest the entire experience – much like one does after a satisfying if slightly rushed meal. Flying Cebu Pacific economy is, in many ways, exactly what it advertises: a budget-friendly, no-frills ride that gets you where you need to go, with a few bumps along the way.
Overall, I’d rate my Cebu Pacific experience a 3.5 out of 5 for a domestic economy flight. It delivered on getting me to Cebu safely and cheaply – mission accomplished on that front.
The journey had character: a bit of chaos, a bit of charm, and plenty of sunshine (both literal and figurative). Would I fly Cebu Pacific again? Yes – with caveats.
For short trips within the Philippines, I find them perfectly fine, even enjoyable if you come prepared (and maybe bring a power bank since there were no charging ports onboard).
In the end, Cebu Pacific epitomizes the saying “you get what you pay for” – and, what I paid for was an affordable, competently delivered trip to a beautiful destination.
For travelers on a budget or anyone who values savings over frills, Cebu Pacific is a solid choice on routes like Manila to Cebu. Just pack your patience, travel smart, and you’ll have your feet on the sands of Cebu with plenty of pesos left in your pocket, and that’s a travel success in my book.
Overall Recommendation: Cebu Pacific is a good option for budget-conscious travelers and short leisure trips. It offers friendly service and unbeatable fares at the cost of some comfort and convenience. If you manage expectations and prepare for a no-frills journey, you’ll likely come away satisfied. But if you crave extra legroom, inflight entertainment, and guaranteed punctuality, you might want to weigh if those perks are worth the higher price on a full-service airline. Safe travels, and as Cebu Pacific cheekily puts it, “everyJuan” (everyone) can fly – and I’d add, every Juan has a story after flying with them!
