Cebu Pacific Flight Review: Manila to Hong Kong (Round-Trip)

My friends needed a break from reality so we decided to fly to Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific, primarily because they offered the cheapest rate for our preferred dates.

Boarding commenced on time.

My friend commented, “There seems to be an unusually huge number of passengers for a routine flight. How are we all going to fit?”

The answer: Airbus A330….

…with a 3-3-3 seat configuration.

My friend gushed, “It doesn’t feel like Cebu Pacific!”

We took off right on schedule and the usual routine took over….

…except that no games were offered. Drat. Blankets were up for sale for P350 though.

The strangers seated beside me pre-ordered their breakfast. I wanted to ask for their comment but their body language was almost like a “Do Not Disturb” sign.

The entire flight was thankfully smooth and comfortable, made more memorable by this “aww….” scene to my right.

We arrived 15 minutes ahead of our schedule, as our captain proudly announced. Yey! More time to shop!

SO LONG, HONG KONG!

We arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) an hour before the counters opened so my friends busied themselves with their wifi while I went to shop for books. On my way back, I noticed that some people were already lining up at the designated Cebu Pacific counters so we decided to join them.

I was expecting that the lines would double like Gremlins getting wet by the time we got to the counters but lo and behold, there was hardly any. Our group was first in queue at our counter.

In just ten minutes, we were done!

Even the immigration and security check were faster than usual and HKIA is already a fast place to begin with!

I was the first to be done with immigration so I stood outside waiting for my friends when I noticed a couple of airport representatives asking some passengers to help out with their survey. I expected them to approach me as I was just standing there but none did. I guess they prefer people who were busy so they can interrupt them which was what happened to one of my friends who was was trying to catch up with the rest of us. At first, she turned them down but I told her to entertain them in case they have a gift for her afterwards. I was given a nice souvenir key ring at Changi International Airport when I accommodated them once. The survey was done in just three minutes but alas, no gift. Yuk-yuk-yuk.

Our boarding time was scheduled to be at 7pm but thirty minutes prior to that, there was no gate assigned to us yet. I inquired with customer service who just snapped at me saying, “I don’t know. If it’s not on the screen, you just wait. I don’t know anything.” Must be nice to get paid to be ignorant. I can’t wait to see how Hong Kong ranks in customer service next year. They’re already the third worst in the world.

Anyway, fifteen minutes after, our gate number appeared on the screen and naturally, it had to be the farthest, which required use of a shuttle.

Upon arrival, the boarding announcement was made.

After everyone had lined up, we hardly moved for twenty minutes. Ground crew maximized the time by checking our boarding passes and passport.

Some passengers just stared outside the glass window to fight boredom and tired legs. I was planning to join them when we were finally allowed to get on board via a very long and winding jet bridge, which felt like a maze.

Unlike our experience flying out, this felt more like Cebu Pacific with their familiar Airbus A320/A319 fleet.

The flight attendants were especially friendly, oozing with that famous Filipino hospitality with their smiles and greeting. One even engaged in small chitchats with the kiddie passengers as they boarded. She even got one concerned when she teased him how his stuffed toy which was as big as he was, wasn’t allowed on the plane. Upon seeing the frightened look on his face, she laughed that she was just kidding.

I was seated in the front row with two others (not my friends) but after taking off, I found myself alone because the two (senior citizens) decided they didn’t want the responsibility of the exit door so they requested to be transferred.

Our departure was delayed by thirty minutes with no explanation given. After the take-off, the food cart was rolled out and Duty Free catalogues were distributed. Once again, there were no games so I asked one of the attendants who explained that flights flying before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. do not have games. Drat. I do look forward to the games especially when it’s a trivia game and I like the prizes. I have won a T-shirt, a pouch, a travel organizer and notepads in the past. In fact, one time, I knew all the answers to the trivia game that I shared them with my seatmates whom I have never met before so they can win the prizes after I had won mine. We were the happiest row on that flight with our T-shirt prizes.

The flight was smooth until we started descending to where the turbulence was stronger and longer than I cared for.

During the flight, I noticed how the announcements were made in English and Mandarin which was a first in my years of flying Cebu Pacific going to Hong Kong. As much as I see it as an improvement in their customer service, may I suggest that they use Cantonese instead? It is the language spoken in Hong Kong. Yes, they may understand Mandarin but things seem to sound clearer when spoken in one’s mother tongue.

Upon arrival, the lines at immigration weren’t as bad as I expected it to be but of course, it wouldn’t be a complete NAIA experience if we didn’t have to wait for some time for our luggage to come out.

---THE PARANOID TRAVELER---

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Cebu Pacific Flight Review: Manila to Hong Kong (Round-Trip)

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