Cebu Pacific launches new flights to Tokyo, Nagoya

The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific Air launched two new international destinations on March 30, 2014. The airline became the first Philippine low-cost carrier to operate direct daily flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita), and four times weekly flights from Manila to Nagoya.

“We are very excited to finally be able to offer Cebu Pacific’s trademark lowest fares to these two new destinations in Japan. With our seat sales, seamless Manila airport terminal connection and extensive network, we hope to stimulate travel and bring Japanese tourists to various destinations in fun Philippines,” said Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution.

“Similarly, we hope these two new destinations will enable many Filipinos to explore Japan for leisure or business travel. Japan is now more accessible and more affordable with Cebu Pacific flights,” she added.

Lowest year-round fares start at P5,499. CEB fares to Nagoya and Narita are up to 70% lower than other full-service airlines.

CEB also operates daily flights between Manila and Osaka, for as low as P3,999.

On March 30, 2014, CEB launched daily services to Tokyo (Narita), utilizing the airline’s brand-new Airbus A320 fleet. The flight departs Manila at 5:25am, arriving in Tokyo at 10:35am. The return flight departs Tokyo at 11:45am, and arrives in Manila at 3:45pm.

On the same day, CEB launched its Manila-Nagoya-Manila service, with a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday frequency. Departing Manila at 3:20pm, the flight arrives in Nagoya at 8:25pm. The return flight departs Nagoya at 9:10pm, and arrives in Manila at 12:10am the next day.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to http://www.cebupacificair.com/, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages.

Aside from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, CEB offers flights to 21 other international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen. It also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with destinations such as Boracay, Palawan and Coron.

CEB’s 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 30 Airbus A320, 3 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 12 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 3 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Cebu Pacific Manila-Siem Reap (& vice versa)

cebu pacific plane

It was my first time to try Cebu Pacific outside of their Hong Kong-Macau flights and had a good experience (disclaimer: this is NOT a sponsored post, LOL). I just had to be in this flight because am trying to make a list of all the exotic places I want to visit in Asia and Siem Reap (home of the Angkor Wat) is one of them.

Cebu Pacific is the only local airline right now flying straight to Siem Reap and for the savvy traveler, this is definitely faster than taking the overland route from Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Travel time is two hours 45 minutes. The flights were full both ways and I did notice a considerable number of foreigners, even on the way back. Most of them were just transiting in NAIA 3 on the way to other Philippine destinations like Cebu, Palawan, Boracay and Bohol. This is definitely good news for Philippine tourism, and at least our tourists are able to pass through NAIA Terminal 3 instead of the old and faded Terminal 1.

NAIA 3

For their Manila-Siem Reap flight, Cebu Pacific uses the standard Airbus A320 with a seating capacity of 179. Turbulence factor was 2/10 but it wasn’t even bad enough to make the pilot turn on the “fasten your seatbelt sign” (maybe am just the queasy one!)

My only complaint really is getting myself to try their food & beverage onboard as none of the selections appeal to me at the moment. And seriously, P350 for a single serving of kaldereta?? At that price, 5J would do well to team up with a reputable food service provider like Via Mare or the LJC Group.

Cebu Pacific’s web check in was rather pointless as you’d still have to face the long lines (no special web check in counters I saw). Mostly with this system, they’re just trying to save money by letting you print your own boarding pass, eh heh. Their advice that you can arrive in the airport 45 minutes before departure when you’re checked in online is also misleading. Do so at your own risk (the risk of being left by the airplane!)

More NAIA 3 pics:

European delegation at the baggage carousel -

NAIA Terminal 3

Whatever happened to creativity? This tarp is just plain and drab. Without even a smiling face in there, it’s not inviting anybody to have more fun in the Philippines.

NAIA Terminal 3

People from DTI put up a poster of The Passenger Bill of Rights. Don’t forget :)

NAIA 3

Up next: my Siem Reap experience ;)