Finding Your Way In NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Tips and Instructions

Here are some tips about boing to NAIA - Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Finding your way around the area and some instructions. Original article entitled Going To NAIA Airport Tips and Instructions from OFW Connect

For OFWs, especially those first-timer ones, I'm sure that you're quite nervous on your way to NAIA. Of course, you're much nervous if you're in the foreign land already but I can tell you some Tips or Instructions (based on my own experience) about going or inside the NAIA Airport (to help you to relax a bit). So in case you didn't know yet, this is worth to read so that you're going to have an idea on what is it like once you're there.

You shouldn't be worried because it is just easy as 1-2-3. Always remember not to show to others that you're a first-timer because if someone who got an idea to fool you, you can be a victim of racketeers that are always around.

But before you go to NAIA, make sure that you know the time of your flight. Be there 3 hours before the flight.

1. If you got the OEC from POEA, before entering the NAIA Departure Lounge (the main entrance), submit your OEC to POEA Office/Desk located outside and at the right of the building. It is needed to be validated and you'll be given one copy for your reference. If you didn't manage to get the OEC from POEA in EDSA, you can obtain it from there too.

2. If done, you have to get your passport and ticket ready before you enter the entrance, this is to prevent delays 'cause you have to show it to security guards on duty.

3. Once inside, you need to pass another security and this is where your luggage and everything are checked under x-rays. Make sure that you know the contents of your belongings, make sure that it doesn't contain prohibited materials such as drugs, explosives, guns, knifes and other not-allowed things.

4. Once done again, you have to look for the counter for the airlines or flight stated on your Ticket. Usually, counters got logo's of the airlines, look for the logo of the airline that you're going to board but sometimes, there are more than one counter for the same airline but different destination. You should queue at the right destination. And on that right counter, there is a business class and economy, if your ticket is on the economy, you must queue there or else your time is going to be wasted if you queue at the wrong lane.

5. Sometimes, if passengers are too many, the attendant or staff responsible for your flight is going to check your passport while you're still on the line. Sometimes, they have this list of passengers so I think, they are just making an advance checklist. They have this little stickers as well that they're going to stick on your passport, I think it is just a signed that checks has been done about your flight's details.

6. While on the line, sometimes you're going to be given a form (departure form) by the airline staff. You have to fill it in and give it to the immigration officer later. This is to be filled-up before you enter the immigration check-point and an officer is going to collect this from you. If you have not been given this form, you can find this at the airline counter as well or at the immigration check-point.

7. Before the Counter, the airline staff is going to check your passport, ticket and your baggage. Make sure you bring baggage that is not an overloaded or else, you're going to pay an excess for each kilo not allowed for free. The allowed weight of baggage is always stated in your ticket, usually 25Kgs for Economy Class and higher for higher class.

8. At the Counter, you have to show again your passport, ticket and if you need to pay an excess fee, you should have been given a ticket or a receipt or form and need to bring it to the excess counter to pay. Once done, the staff is going to give you a boarding pass. This boarding pass is where you can see the Gate number and seat number for your flight.

9. If everything's fine, be ready again to enter at the Immigration check-point lobby. Another security is going to check your documents, so always show your passport and boarding pass. You don't need to show the copy of your OEC, OWWA and other documents to the security. Keep these documents in your hand luggage. Just the Ticket, Passport and Boarding Pass are needed to see by the security.

10. Once Inside, there are lanes or counters for different passengers, there are special counters for OFWs, so line-up there. If it is your turn, show your passport, boarding pass, ticket and the OEC.

11. Once done, you are now going to pass the Immigration check-point. Line again on special lane for OFWs, important documents should be ready incase officers need to ask about it but the one that you need are just the OEC, boarding pass, ticket and passport and the departure card I mentioned before. Make sure, you have filled this-in already before reaching the immigration counter.

12. If finished, you're now allowed to head on your flight. Look for the gate number stated in your Ticket, make sure you're going on the right gate. You have to pass one or two more securities and x-rays for your hand luggage. Sometimes, they will ask you to remove your belts, shoes, jackets, cellphones, key chains or wallets and pass it under their x-ray machines and/or metal detectors.

13. If you find the Gate number for your flight, you have to meet the airline staff again and will going to check your documents for the last time. Once done, you're now free to rest while waiting for the flight to take off.

14. If it is time now to aboard the plane, usually the airline staff will ask the elders and passengers with children first, so if you're not this passenger, wait for your turn.

15. Inside the airplane, look for the seat number that is stated in the boarding pass as well. Make sure that you got your own and assigned seat. Keep your hand luggage at the over-head cabin.

16. And last but not least, PRAY BEFORE THE TAKE-OFF. Pray for the safety of your Journey, pray for the guidance both the Pilot and the airplane. And then enjoy the flight, don't be so nervous now that you're so high-up in the air. You can cry if you want if you think that you're going to miss your loveones, friends, neighbors, your pets and the whole Philippines.

BON VOYAGE KABAYAN !

Note: If you're bringing your dependants with you, make sure that you bring necessary documents that they should have as well. Every passenger and destination got different set of rules and instructions given, so the above Tips are just a guide and not really the exact way or instructions for all airline passengers.