Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 923 – Fukuoka to Manila – Strict But Well-Organized Free Base Fare Flight Back To Manila

Hey, I hope you’re coping well. I know most of us miss flying & going on vacations. The Covid-19 pandemic stopped leisure travel & has forced us to stay in our homes indefinitely. While most of the countries all over the world are restarting leisure travel, we, Filipinos, are still not allowed to do so – even domestic travels are not allowed. All we can do now is to look back & relive the great memories we made in our previous trips.

One of the trips I keep on revisiting is our Fukuoka 2019 surprise trip. My friend & I surprised another friend in her supposed-to-be first solo international trip. I already shared with you details about this trip in the following posts – 48 Hours in Fukuoka for less than ₱12,500 all in, Nekokura Hostel of the Day feature & 5J 922 Cebu Pacific Air Flight Report. Today, I will share with you details of our Cebu Pacific Air 5j 923 flight from Fukuoka, Japan back to Manila, Philippines. Know how organized Japanese people & airports are & generally how the flight went in this new flight report.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Singapore Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Cebu Pacific Air

As mentioned in my previous 5J flight report, Cebu Pacific Air is the Philippines largest low-cost carrier. It flies to more than 60 domestic & international destinations across the country, Asia-Pacific & the Middle East. It is wholly owned by JG Summit Holdings, led by the Gokongweis. Including its subsidiary Cebgo, the airline operates a fleet of 70+ Airbus & ATR commercial & cargo aircraft with a number of new generation aircraft orders in place.

The airline has opened the opportunity for every Filipino to fly domestic & international at extremely low prices compared to its industry rivals. It is known for its ₱1-base fare promotions offered a few times a year. It has its own loyalty program called GetGo & is a founding member of Value Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of low-cost carriers.

Airfare & Inclusions

My friend & I got the return ticket to & from Fukuoka, Japan for only ₱2,873.74. We booked it through the airline’s loyalty program, GetGo, ‘5,000 points off’ promotion. At the time of booking, one-way base fare to Fukuoka were valued at 2,400 points. The return ticket cost us 4,800 points plus airline (minus 5,000 points – yay, so basically free base fare) & airport taxes. My friend & I only paid for the taxes & charges imposed by the airline – a decent deal, eh? It definitely was a steal considering the tickets were bought 3 weeks before the flight schedule.

Cebu Pacific Air is a low-cost carrier – meaning tickets only include the passenger’s base fare & taxes. The airline offers baggage allowance, seat selection, meals & refreshments & all over flight services for a fee. The airline’s fleet don’t have personal or communal entertainment screens. The fare my friend & I bought only includes a 7-kilogram carry-on luggage which was enough for our 48-hour Fukuoka trip. The full list of the airline’s add-on charges is found in their website.

Flight & Aircraft Information

This Fukuoka to Manila Cebu Pacific Air flight was operated by a 5.5-year-old (that time) Airbus A320-214 aircraft with registration RP-C3277. The airplane has an all-economy configuration (just like all other Cebu Pacific Air aircraft) with 180 seats on a 3-3 layout. The flight left Fukuoka station at 7:48 pm JST & arrived Ninoy Aquino International Airport (in Manila) at 11:10 pm PHT. The flight took 4 hours & 22 minutes from one airport gate to the other.

Ground & Airport Experience

International flights arrive & depart from Fukuoka Airport’s international terminal. The terminal is 10-minute (free) bus ride from the Fukuoka Airport Subway Station / Domestic Terminal. Upon arrival at the terminal, my friend & I went to Row C check-in counters. The counters opened 3 hours before the flight.

Check-in process was quick & efficient. Heavy bags & boxes undergo security checks before they can be accepted by the ground staff for check-in. There were 3 normal check-in & 1 online check-in counters that day. All ground staff strictly check & weigh each passenger’s carry-on items. They only allow 7-kilograms of carry-on baggage & up to 2 items only. My friend & I already checked-in online & queued in the online check-in counter. We requested for exit row seats; the lovely check-in counter crew granted our request. Our whole check-in process took 20-minutes & that included 15 minutes in queue for the luggage security check.

In case you missed it, we almost missed our Manila to Fukuoka flight because of lengthy check-in process & slow immigration lines in NAIA 3. Know more about this almost-missed flight in this flight report.

Immigration & final security took less than 10 minutes. There were no long lines or whatsoever. The flight boarding process commenced 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Passengers with children & those needing special assistance boarded the aircraft first. The regular passengers boarded next. We boarded from Gate 56 & finished after 15-20 minutes. Boarding has quick & smooth.

In-Flight Product

Cebu Pacific Air is known as a no-frills airline. The airline keeps their fares low by providing the most basic product on air – a guaranteed seat on the flight & a 7-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance. Additional flight features such as baggage allowance, in-flight meal, insurance, seat selection & the likes are available at an extra cost.

My friend & I were assigned at exit seats 12B & 12C. These exit row seats have enormous legroom but do not recline. Regular seats on Cebu Pacific Air’s Airbus A320 aircraft feature 28 inches of seat pitch & generous reclines. These seats were made & designed by Recaro, a world-renown seat manufacturing company known for their light & ergonomically-designed seat products. Each seat features a decently sized tray table & a small seat pocket with the aircraft safety card. The seats don’t feature personal entertainment screens. The only available form of entertainment is the monthly in-flight magazine found in every seat pocket.

Shortly after take-off, the cabin crew rolled out their snack cart & offered snacks to all passengers. The list of items for sale is found in the Fun Café menu in the seat pockets. The crew also handed out the pre-ordered snacks & meals to those who availed them. The airline allows passengers to pre-book their meals & snacks from the time of booking up to 24 hours before the flight.

This night flight didn’t feature the usual in-flight fun game. The crew gave the passengers the time to rest & sleep. I didn’t have the chance to visit the lavatory during the flight; I was dead tired after a long day of walking around the city.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew welcomed us into the flight with their biggest smiles. One crew also went up to us & explained the additional protocols for passengers seated in the exit rows. I didn’t have much chance to interact with the crew on this flight but those small encounters made a big difference in the flight experience.

Overall Experience

It was another pleasant flight with Cebu Pacific Air. My friend & I definitely enjoyed this flight from Fukuoka to Manila. The pleasant experience started with getting return tickets for only ₱2,873.74 without baggage. I still can’t imagine how this is possible in the current times? The ticket is even cheaper than a domestic ticket to destinations like Coron & Siargao or even international destinations like Hong Kong & Singapore. Cebu Pacific Air changed the game by giving every Juan the chance to fly in the most affordable rate.

The airport & ground experience was superb! It was the total opposite of my experience on the flight from Manila to Fukuoka. The check-in lines were fast-moving bur organized. The check-in process was efficient. The ground staff were reasonably strict but were nice & very accommodation. Immigration, final security check & boarding process didn’t take long. It was my 3rd time flying out of this airport & the experience hasn’t changed. I am amazed how the airport management maintained it even with the increasing number of passenger traffic. All my Fukuoka Airport experiences were very close to ideal.

The flight experience was alright as expected. The cabin crew greeted us with their best smiles upon boarding & disembarking from the plane. I didn’t have much to talk about the in-flight experience because I was asleep most of the flight. The only thing I didn’t like was our plane didn’t have an available airport gate when we landed in Manila station. We waited inside the plane for more than 15-20 minutes before we finally got our Terminal 3 gate assignment. I really hope the local airport authorities do something about this once everything does back to normal.

I cannot wait to fly out again with Cebu Pacific Air in the future. I have plans of trying their long-haul flights (again but this time feature it) to perhaps Sydney or Melbourne once Australia opens. I also want to just fly out to wherever possible & take some time off. I will surely fly with them on those trips. For those of you who want to know the flight & aircraft details, here are the information you want or need:

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 20 October 2019
Flight Number: 5J 923
Route: Fukuoka (FUK) Japan to Manila (MNL) Philippines
Duration: 4:22 hours
Seat Number: 12C
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Aircraft Registration: RP-C3277
Aircraft Engine: 2 x CFM International Jet Engines
Age: 6 years old
Year Delivered: 2014


Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. Do you have any questions about the flight or anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

How I wish we can all soon go back to the times when flying & travelling is safe & places are virus-free. Those safe times are far from happening based on the current vaccine & treatment developments but I hope you are coping well with the effects of pandemic. Let’s us all hope for better times in the future. For the meantime, we can all connect & talk about our previous travel experiences. Follow me on my social media channels – Facebook & Instagram.

Don’t forget to check out my previous Cebu Pacific Air flight reports: Legazpi to Manila, Manila to Jakarta, Manila to Caticlan (Boracay), Caticlan (Boracay) to Manila on Cebgo & Manila to Fukuoka. Other flight reports can be found under the Flight Reports category. Until next time. Stay safe!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 912 – Singapore to Manila – 3-Hour Remarkable Economy Class Experience Aboard A 15-Year Old Aircraft

After 12.5 hours with Singapore Airlines on SQ 351 from Copenhagen, we finally touched down in Singapore Changi Airport, the world’s best airport. I had 4 hours of layover to spare until my last flight home – Singapore Airlines SQ 912 from Singapore to Manila on a Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Join me in today’s flight report as I walk you through this remarkable 3-hour economy experience on a 15-year old aircraft.

Now that I am on my last flight to Manila, let me walk you through my 19-day European trip last October to November 2019. I started my journey in the Netherlands, around AmsterdamUtrecht & North Holland. After a few days, I took the bus & went down to Belgium & explored the cities of BrusselsBruges & Ghent. I flew to Czech Republic & spent 4 days walking around Prague, Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. Then, I flew to Copenhagen where I spent my last days in Europe. I shared my experiences in these cities in this blog & I placed it under the Going Solo in Europe category.

I also shared by previous flights with Singapore Airlines on my flights from Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam & Copenhagen to Singapore under the flight report category. Make sure to check them out! Let’s jump back to this last flight to Manila.

Singapore Airlines

As mentioned in my previous SQ flight report, Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. The airline is based in the world’s best airport, Changi Airport in Singapore. This multi-awarded 5-star airline flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. They are one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of their subsidiaries – Silk Air (which operates to some regional destinations) & Scoot (which operates on a low-cost business model). The airline flies both Airbus & Boeing jets & boasts a young fleet of new generation aircraft.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. They offer free 30-kilogram check-in baggage allowance, in-flight meals & have personal entertainment screens in all of their flights. Please note that their subsidiaries, Silk Air & Scoot, do not offer the same services as the mother airline. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance & has a loyalty program called Krisflyer.

Airfare & Inclusions

As mentioned in my Copenhagen to Singapore flight report, I got this promotional ticket from Manila to Europe via Amsterdam, Netherlands & back from Copenhagen, Denmark for $719.23. My bank charged me ₱37,669.40 for the ticket, including foreign currency conversion charges.

The $720 ticket includes 30-kilograms baggage allowance for all flights, meals (up to 2 in long flights) & snacks on all legs & personal entertainment screen with movies, series & songs on all aircraft. Flying 3 hours each from & to Manila & 12+ hours each to & from Europe for ₱38,000 pesos with an airline like Singapore Airlines was definitely a steal!

Flight & Aircraft Information

This flight from Singapore (SIN) Changi Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines took 3 hours & 27 minutes. It flew 2,377 kilometers non-stop to Manila. We left Singapore Changi Airport 7 minutes early & arrived Manila Airport 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival time.

This flight was operated by a 15.3-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. It was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2004 & consistently has been in their fleet. It has 284 seats in total – 8 seats in first class suites (old layout), 50 lie-flat seats in business class (their old game-changer design) on a 1-2-1 layout & 226 economy class seats on a 3-3-3 configuration. Singapore Airlines uses this aircraft only in their short-haul Asian market.

Airport & Transit Experience

Unlike my Copenhagen to Singapore flight, I didn’t have to go through check-in process & immigration again. I already checked-in for this flight when I was in Copenhagen & I was only in Singapore as a transit passenger. Singapore Changi Airport is an excellent airport to transit on. It has facilities & amenities which passengers can enjoy while waiting for their onward flights. Upon arrival, I took the train to Terminal 3 to check Jewel. It was unfortunately not yet operational that day. I went back to Terminal 2 & sat in one of those comfortable chairs with charging outlets & a watched football in the big screen. I fell asleep for an hour & woke up in time for boarding.

Our flight boarded from Gate E26 in Terminal 2. All gates in this terminal have their own final security check before entering the boarding area. Business class, Krisflyer & Star Alliance status holders boarded the plane first. The passengers in the rear economy cabin came next & those in the forward economy section boarded last. Boarding process took about 30 minutes.

In-Flight Product

Seat – Economy class seats on this Boeing 777-300 aircraft are 1 inch bigger than those from the Airbus A350-900 ones at 19 inches. Seat pitch is at 32 inches. Seat recline is generous. Each seat features an adjustable headrest. All economy class seats have the old-style personal entertainment screen with the old-generation remote control. These seats also have a fold-able table with the signature mirror, individual reading light, separate cup holder, coat hook, USB charging outlet & seat pockets full of in-flight literature. The seat was alright for me – the space is great but the ‘look & feel’ is better on the new generation economy class seat.

Meal – Singapore Airlines served a full meal on this 3-hour flight. There were 2 options – fish & chicken meal; I went for the chicken one. This chicken with mashed potato came with tuna salad, bread roll with butter, chocolate mousse for dessert, a cup of water, coffee / tea with milk & another drink of choice – red wine for me. Before I forget, the meal service started with hot towels, crackers & drink of choice (wine again for me) for all passengers.

In-flight Entertainment – All seats on this 15-year old Boeing 777-300 aircraft feature the old-generation 10.6 inches touch-screen personal entertainment screens. The IFE features the old-layout thus hard to navigate. The content (music, movies, series & features) are the same with that of from the Airbus A350-900. I had the flight map open throughout the flight.

Flight Amenities – All economy class passengers were given pillows & earphones for this 3.5-hour flight. Blankets are available upon request. The airline doesn’t give out menu cards & amenity kits for this short-haul flight but has the complete amenities in the toilets.

Cabin Crew Service

Singapore Airline assigned a hospitable set of cabin crew on this flight. They welcomed all passengers with all smiles & made sure everyone is having a great flight. The crew offered snacks after take off & then started with the meal service about an hour into the flight. I didn’t have any issues with the crew on this flight.

Flight Experience

It was another remarkable flight with Singapore Airlines. I was tired from that 12.5-hour journey from Copenhagen to Singapore yet I didn’t mind taking another 3-hour flight with them. Transit & airport experience in Singapore Changi Airport was excellent – no wonder they’re the world’s best airport for a few years now.

This flight was operated by a 15-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Due to its old age, some of the seat features didn’t work up until the engine was turned on. The entertainment screens were still off & the IFE system was also hot. The seats didn’t have individual air vents. It was hot inside the plane during boarding process. It took a while for the cabin temperature to reach the bearable ‘cold’ point.

These aircraft shortcomings were then overturned by the amazing cabin crew hospitality & the onboard service. Meal service was quick. It started off with hot towels, followed by crackers & drink of choice & then the full meal – all done in 1.5 hours after take-off. It was a full flight so the crew did a great job there. I asked for another round of their signature Singapore Sling drink after the meal service & I was served by the flight crew with his best smile.

The seat was great as always – legroom was good, recline was generous. The personal entertainment system was outdated but its contents were up-to-date. I don’t see the point of refurbishing these seats / IFEs if this aircraft won’t be used in the next 10 years or so. I just prefer the entertainment systems in the newer planes.

No doubt, it was a lovely flight with Singapore Airlines. I didn’t feel I was tired from that 12.5-hour Copenhagen to Singapore flight. Everything, except the aircraft’s age & features (which were inevitable), was great. I look forward to flying with the airline again in the future; I just don’t know where will that be.

For those of you who want to know the technical details of the flight, please see below:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 10 November 2019
Flight Number: SQ 921
Route: Singapore (SIN) to Manila (MNL) Philippines
Duration: 3:27 hours
Seat Number: 51K
Aircraft: Boeing 777-312
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SYI
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent 892
Age: 15.3 years old (on the day of the flight)
Year Delivered: 2004


Have you ever flown with Singapore Airlines in the past? How was your experience? Which type of aircraft do you prefer flying with them? Share you thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the flight or the on-board service? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.

Stay up-to-date with all my recent posts & blogs by following my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I know we are all grounded at this time but I hope we all go back to the skies in the future. Please stay safe!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 351 – Copenhagen to Singapore – Cozy & Enjoyable 12-Hour Window Seat Economy Class Flight Back to Asia

After 2.5 weeks of going solo around the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark, it is time to fly home. I flew out of Denmark from Copenhagen Airport to Singapore’s Changi Airport onboard Singapore Airlines. Today’s feature will be about this enjoyable Singapore Airlines SQ 351 flight from Copenhagen to Singapore on its Airbus A350-900 new generation aircraft. Find out everything about the airline’s ground & in-flight service, the aircraft used & flight information on this newest flight report.

In case you missed it, I also flew with Singapore Airlines from the Philippines to Europe in October 2019. I flew with their new-generation Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on my 3-hour flight from Manila to Singapore & took another 13-hour flight from Singapore to Amsterdam, Netherlands onboard their newest (that time) Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Check out those 2 flight reports to know more about those excellent flights.

For sure by now you’re aware that I went solo around 4 countries in Europe late last year. I spent the first few days in the Netherlands, around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. I went down to Belgium & explored the cities of Brussels, Bruges & Ghent. A few days after, I flew to Czech Republic. I had the craziest nights around Prague & the quietest days around the beautiful towns of Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. I finished my European journey in Denmark – around Copenhagen, living like a Dane & meeting up with a friend. This solo trip is my best yet & I cannot wait to go back there after all these world happenings. I posted a lot about this trip to Europe, check them out under the Going Solo in Europe category. Now, let’s go back to the flight report!

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. The airline is based in the world’s best airport, Changi Airport in Singapore. This multi-awarded 5-star airline flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. They are one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of their subsidiaries – Silk Air (which operates to some regional destinations) & Scoot (which operates on a low-cost business model). The airline flies both Airbus & Boeing jets & boasts a young fleet of new generation aircraft.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. They offer free 30-kilogram check-in baggage allowance, in-flight meals & have personal entertainment screens in all of their flights. Please note that their subsidiaries, Silk Air & Scoot, do not offer the same services as the mother airline. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance & has a loyalty program called Krisflyer.

Airfare & Inclusions

As mentioned in my first Singapore Airlines flight report, I got this return ticket to Europe from Singapore Airlines & Bank of the Philippine Islands credit card promotion. The return economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam (via Singapore) & from Copenhagen to Manila (via Singapore) cost me $719.23. My credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including conversion charges.

The ticket includes 30-kilograms check-in baggage allowance in all sectors. It also provides access to complimentary in-flight meals & snacks (drinks & liquor included) & a personal entertainment screen in front of every seat. Add to that the airline’s excellent service & hospitality. Not bad for a 5-star carrier, right?

Flight & Aircraft Information

This flight from Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) to Singapore (SIN) took 12 hours & 24 minutes. It flew 10,713 kilometres non-stop from Denmark to Singapore. We left Copenhagen on-time & arrived Singapore 24 minutes late. We had a delay because we had a last-minute route change causing extra flight time.

Singapore Airlines used a 3.5-year old Airbus A350-900 for this long-haul flight. The aircraft was delivered to the airline in late 2016. The plane has 253 seats across 3 classes – 42 business class lie-flat seats on 1-2-1 layout, 24 premium economy class seats on a 2-4-2 seat configuration & 187 economy class seats on a 3-3-3 layout. This flight used the same aircraft type (not exactly the same body) I flew with on my Singapore to Amsterdam SQ flight.

Airport & Ground Experience

Singapore Airlines flies out of Copenhagen Airport Terminal 2. Their check-in desks are found on counters 88-94, near the escalator up to security check. The counters are sorted according to class – economy class, premium economy class & business class plus an additional lane for those who checked-in online.

This is Singapore Airlines’ check-in area in Copenhagen Airport Terminal 2. Not busy, no queues.

The airline offers online check-in 48 hours into the flight. Passengers who use this option can choose regular seats at no extra charge. I checked-in before the flight & chose window seat 53A. I normally prefer aisle seats for long-haul flights like this but there were no aisle seats during my check in. I didn’t want to end up in the middle seat so I opted for the window one. Check-in process didn’t take long. The guy on the counter was friendly & accommodating. I checked in for both Copenhagen-Singapore & Singapore-Manila flights. I left my heavy luggage in Copenhagen & picked it up in Manila Airport upon arrival.

Copenhagen Airport has a very efficient airport security screening process. I finished the whole security check in less than 5 minutes. There was also no queue in immigration. It didn’t take long for me to clear the border control. My flight’s assigned gate was gate C37 – one of the farthest gates of the airport. It took me around 10 minutes to reach the gate. I also saw an Emirates Airbus A380 arrive & park near our gate.

Singapore Airlines boards its passenger by class. Business class passengers & Krisflyer & Star Alliance status holders boarded first, followed by premium economy class passengers. Economy class passengers boarded the plane last – those seated at the rear part of the aircraft went in first, followed by us in the middle rear part of the aircraft. Forward economy class passengers boarded the plane last. The boarding process took less than 30 minutes.

In-Flight Product

Singapore Airlines is known for its quality in-flight product. Check out what this flight offered to its passengers.

Seat – Singapore Airlines’ economy class seat on the Airbus A350-900 has a pitch of 32 inches & width of 18 inches. Seat recline is generous enough. Each seat has an adjustable headrest & a foldable footrest. Leg room is adequate for an average person like me. All seats feature a touch-screen personal entertainment screens with remote. Seats also had USB & power outlets & many seat pockets in front of the passenger. Seats also have a foldable table with the signature mirror. It also features a coat hook & a separate cup holder. Seats are comfortable to sleep especially for this long-haul flight.

Meals – The airline gave 2 full meals for this flight with unlimited snack & drink options in between. The started the meal service with the menu & a hot towel for all economy class passengers. They gave out crackers & drink of choice while the main meal is being prepared. They gave out lunch about 1.5 hours into the flight. The crew offered snacks & drinks almost every hour. 2 hours before landing in Singapore, they served breakfast for everyone. The meal servings were just right but they tasted great.

I got the sweet & sour pork with rice & vegetables option for lunch. What a complete meal by SQ!
Had raspberry ice cream for dessert. It was really good. I’m happy to see SQ use metal cutlery! 🙂

In-Flight Entertainment – All seats in this Airbus A350-900 have decently sized personal entertainment screens. The system had a separate remote control but its touch-screen feature responded very well. Krisworld, Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, offered over 100 recent movie choices & television series to watch on this 12.5-hour flight. It also had over 800 music albums to listen to. I didn’t get bored on this flight like I usually do on other ones.

Flight Amenities – Singapore Airlines offered a long list of amenities & features in this flight. All seats had earphones, newly cleaned pillows & warm blankets upon boarding. The crew gave out menu to all passengers & offered hot towel to all passengers. Passengers can personalize an amenity kit (from those available in the menu) & ask it from the crew. The lavatories had complete amenities – dental kit, moisturizer, mouthwash, hand soap & tissue. It was also spot clean throughout the flight.

Passengers can ask for amenities such as eye shades, earplugs, comb & a small kit from the crew.

This particular SQ flight from Copenhagen to Singapore offered a complimentary 30 MB internet chat access to all its premium economy & economy class passengers. The free data allocation was valid for 2 hours after log-in. This promotion / offer was only available for a limited period last November 2019.

All premium economy & economy class passengers on this flight got a free 30MB internet session.

Cabin Crew Service

Like my previous Singapore Airlines flights from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam, cabin crew service on this 12.5-hour flight from Copenhagen to Singapore was outstanding. The crew welcomed all guests with their warmest greetings & smiles. They checked on everyone before take off & landing. The set of crews on this flight was friendly, nice & hospitable.

This is my favorite drink on every Singapore Airlines flight – their signature Singapore Sling! 🙂

The crew made sure passengers don’t get hungry & dehydrated throughout the flight. They served snacks & drinks between meals. They gave out chocolate biscuits midway through the flight. Water service runs almost every hour. They granted by request of crackers & Singapore sling about 7 hours into the flight. They even gave me a glass of water with it – even if I didn’t ask for it. Cabin crew service was top-notch!

Verdict

It was another enjoyable flight with Singapore Airlines. I never thought I’ll enjoy this 12.5-hour flight from an economy class window seat! Let’s start with my airport experience. Check-in process, security check & immigration queue didn’t take long. If I remember it correctly, I arrived in the airport 2 hours before the flight & made it to the gate (after long minutes of walking) after 45 minutes. Copenhagen Airport has a very efficient passenger flow system.

Seating at 53A gave me amazing views of the A350’s wing & winglet. The windows were huge; it gave me beautiful views of the clouds & sunset somewhere in the Middle East. I sat beside a friendly & nice Danish couple who were on a holiday. The seat was pitch was just right. It was also comfortable to seat in for a 12.5-hour flight. The footrest & adjustable headrests helped me have a good sleep during the flight. I particularly liked the separate cup holder & the small mirror found in the foldable tray table. It was a simple but nice touch from Singapore Airlines. The entertainment system was alright – not the best in the market but it had decent movie, series & music choices. The earphones were so-so.

Food portions & service were excellent. It started with a hot towel, crackers & drink of choice – I went for red wine. I chose the sweet & sour pork with rice & vegetables option for lunch. It came with salmon salad, bread roll with butter & cheese with crackers. It also came with a delicious raspberry ice cream & a drink of choice. I got full up to the point where I only had crackers, chocolate & Singapore sling for snack. For breakfast, I went for the stir-fried noodles with prawn, chicken & vegetables served with fruit bowl, bread roll with butter & fruit-flavored yogurt. It came with a glass of water & orange juice. Oh, we used metal cutlery & reusable food containers for both meals. Overall, these are pretty nice meals by Singapore Airlines.

Went for the stir-fried noodles with prawns option for breakfast. I really liked the yogurt here! 🙂

The lavatory was clean & well-maintained. It had enough amenities throughout the flight. The free 30MB internet allocation was a plus! Connection was fast even if we were above the clouds. I used it to connect with my family & friends back home & those I met in Europe. Two things I didn’t like about the flight were the following: Too much use of plastic & lack of individual air vents per seat. The flight used a lot of plastic throughout the flight, from blanket covers, to cutlery covers & plastic cups. I hope they reduce the use of plastic in the future. The seats didn’t have individual air vents. It’s always a struggle for people who easily sweat like me. Good thing I already removed my jacket before seating down & only wore a shirt throughout the flight.

The flight’s highlight was the cabin crew service. The crew on this flight were passenger-friendly, accommodating & outstanding. They truly cared for the passengers & I felt it. Thank you, Singapore Airlines for another amazing flight with you; thank you for making this 12.5-hour flight enjoyable. Will I fly Singapore Airlines again in the future? Definitely. I was supposed to fly with them to Melbourne & from Brisbane last April but I didn’t push through because of the risks of Covid-19. I still look forward to flying with them once the pandemic is over.

Here are some details of this flight I took with Singapore Airlines:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 9 November 2019
Flight Number: SQ 351
Route: Copenhagen (CPH) Denmark to Singapore (SIN)
Duration: 12:24 hours
Seat Number: 53A
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SMH
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 3.5 years old
Year Delivered: 2016


It was another excellent flight with Singapore Airlines. I never thought I’ll enjoy that long-haul flight from a window seat. Have you flown with Singapore Airlines on their long-haul sector? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about this flight or the airline in general? Feel free to shoot me an e-mail with those questions to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Stay up-to-date with all my recent posts & blogs by following my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. Don’t forget to check out my posts under the Going Solo in Europe category. Thanks again & please stay safe.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: CZECH AIRLINES OK 502 – Prague to Copenhagen – Czech Republic’s National Carrier & World’s Fifth Oldest Operating Airline

Hi & welcome to another trip report! Last time, I took you with me onboard Brussels Airlines flight SN 2811 from Brussels, Belgium to Prague in Czech Republic. I went around the country for 4 full days – walked around Prague & Prague Castle, saw the bone church in Kutná Hora & visited the quaint fairy tale town of Český Krumlov. I enjoyed my time around Czech Republic but I had to move to the next country – Denmark.

Last November 2019, I flew from Prague to Copenhagen in Denmark onboard Czech Airlines flight OK 502. This short flight on one of the world’s oldest airlines will be the subject of today’s flight report. Join me as I share bits about Czech Airlines & its in-flight product, the ground experience in Václav Havel Airport Prague & the flight in general.

Czech Airlines

Czech Airlines, České Aerolinie in local language, is Czech Republic’s flag carrier based in Václav Havel Airport in Prague. The airline started operations in 1923; it is (at time of writing) the world’s 5th oldest airline after KLM, Avianca, Qantas & Aeroflot. The Czech government used to own the airline but was passed on to different private owners including Korean Air. As of today, Smartwings, Czech Republic’s biggest (low-cost) airline, owns majority of Czech Airlines. The airline flies to more than 30 European & Middle Eastern countries on both regular schedules & seasonal charters.

Czech Airlines is a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance & has partnerships with Air France, KLM, Aeroflot, China Airlines, Delta, Korean Air, Garuda Indonesia & a lot more. The airline’s frequent flier program is called OK Plus. The program gives passengers OK Plus Miles on flights with Czech Airlines.

Airfare & Inclusions

I booked my Czech Airlines ticket directly with the airline 5 months before the flight. I paid 1,588 Kč (₱3,658.88 in local currency, credit card charges included) for this one-way ticket that includes 8-kilogram carry-on baggage allowance, 23-kilogram check in baggage allowance & free standard seat selection.

This was my ticket. Our flight’s number changed from OK 508 to OK 502 weeks before the schedule.

Czech Airlines, like most European carriers, offer their tickets according to fare bundles. The airline offers an economy lite fare which only includes carry-on baggage allowance & a guaranteed seat on the flight. All other services, such as check in baggage & seat selection, come with extra fees. I availed of the economy plus fare which, as mentioned above, includes carry on-baggage allowance, check in baggage allowance & free standard seat. They also offer an economy flex bundle which includes a light snack, priority check in & boarding on top of all the perks of economy plus passengers. Earning miles, rebooking & refund conditions differ from one bundle to the other. The airline also sells business class tickets on bundles. Inter-Europe business class products are not impressive so let’s not talk about it.

Remember my previous flight report on Brussels Airlines on my flight from Brussels to Prague? I availed of their Light & Relax fare bundle with has the same inclusions as Czech Airlines’ Economy Plus fare bundle. These fare bundles remind me of low-cost carriers here in the Philippines – the likes of Cebu Pacific Air & Air Asia.

Flight & Aircraft Information

Czech Airlines used a 19-year old Smartwings Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This aircraft, with registration OK-TSV, has been in use since December 2000. The plane has 189 seats on a 3-3 configuration. Business class passengers are seated in front of the cabin & have the middle seats vacant.

This flight I took is actually a Prague to Reykjavik flight which has a technical stop in Copenhagen. The flight left Prague with passengers both bound for Denmark & Iceland. We, the passengers bound for Copenhagen, disembarked in Copenhagen Airport. The plane took in new bound for Reykjavik, Iceland from Copenhagen. This flight from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark took 1 hour & 5 minutes from one airport gate to the other. We were airborne for only 59 minutes.

Airport & Ground Experience

I arrived Prague Airport 2 hours before my flight. Czech Airline’s check in counters were empty, not even a single person checking in during my time. Check in process took less than 5 minutes. The guy at the check in counter wasn’t friendly at all.

After check in, I went through security check. Business class & priority passengers & status holders have a special line. Economy class passengers go through the general line. The line moved fast because the airport’s security system is very organized & efficient. There was no need to clear immigration since I was travelling within the Schengen zone.

Prague Airport has spacious pre-departure areas. There were very few people during my time, leaving many seats empty. Some seats have power outlets & charging ports. The ground staff commenced boarding on time. Business class & priority passengers boarded first, followed by those seated at the back of the plane. I was one of the few passengers who boarded last. Boarding process was peaceful & organized. It took 25 minutes to board all passengers.

In-flight Product

Czech Airlines’ in-flight product is very basic. The seats were fitted with dirty & old leather covering. Each seat has 2 small pockets in front. The 1st pocket found within the eye level has all the in-flight literature – in-flight magazine, food menu & safety card. The smaller pocket found somewhere by the knees are for the passenger’s things – boarding pass & passport, phone, etc. The leg room was standard – not very limited but not too spacious. Seats didn’t have power outlets or charging ports. My seat 7A’s recline function was broken; I sat & slept upright throughout the flight.

Czech Airlines provide onboard snacks / meals to business class & economy flex passengers & to those who pre-ordered snacks at the time of booking or at least 24 hours into the flight. The airline has a buy-on-board scheme where economy passengers can buy snacks & drinks during the flight. The food & drinks menu is found in the seat pocket in front of each passenger.

The airline doesn’t offer personal entertainment screens for their inter-Europe flights. The only form of entertainment is the in-flight magazine found in the seat pockets.

Cabin Crew Service

Believe it or not – I had limited contact with the cabin crew. They greeted me when I boarded the flight & said thanks when I left the aircraft after the flight. That’s it! There was nothing special with the service provided on this flight. They did their job, assisted the passengers put bags in the overhead cabins, did the security checks & offered snacks & drinks midway through the flight.

Verdict

Believe it or not, I believe this flight with Czech Airlines went well. After flying with Brussels Airlines to Prague a few days before, I didn’t put in high expectations for this flight. The flight was alright – not exceptional & not bad. Mad respect to the airline’s long & eventful history but I think they need to step-up their service in everything.

I was not impressed with the guy at the check in counter. I was impressed by how things happened so quick – check in, security check & walk to the boarding gate all done in less than 30 minutes. Prague Airport’s facilities & organized passenger flow system were excellent. The waiting areas were clean, spacious & quiet.

View from my seat 7A – look at the Smartwings winglet on this 20-year old Boing 737-800 plane.

The aircraft used for the flight is 20 years old. The seats & interiors badly need a refit. On-board service & in-flight soft product was alright – nothing spectacular. Having almost the same experience with Brussels Airlines made me think that in-flight experience with relatively small European carriers are pretty much the same with some Asian low-cost carriers; but these Asian LCCs have relatively newer planes, more hospitable cabin crew & even cheaper fares.

Will I fly Czech Airlines again? Yes, no or maybe. Just like Brussels Airlines, it’ll all depend on the ticket price. If the fares are cheaper than other flag carriers or low-cost airlines, then I’ll go with Czech Airlines. If the fares have small differences, then I might opt for the other airline. The experience was not bad but it was also not exceptional. It was just alright & I couldn’t be happier that they flew me to Copenhagen safe & on time.

Avgeeks, check out the details of this short flight from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark:

Airline: Czech Airlines
Flight Date: 5 November 2019
Flight Number: OK 502 (changed from OK 508)
Route: Prague (PRG) to Copenhagen (CPH)
Duration: 1:05 hours
Seat Number: 7A
Aircraft: Boeing 739-809
Aircraft Registration: OK-TSV
Aircraft Engine: 2 x CFM International Jet Engines
Age: 20 years old
Year Delivered: 2000


Have you ever tried Czech Airlines in the past? What do you think of the airline? Do you have any questions about the airline & its flight policies or perhaps anything about Prague or Czech Republic? Post them in the comments section below. I will try to answer them as soon as possible. You may also send your questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report! I hope you can support & follow me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Watch out for more flight reports & Going Solo in Europe content in the coming weeks! Ciao.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 922 – Manila to Fukuoka – ‘Almost-Missed’ Surprise & Free Base Fare International Flight

Hey ho & welcome to another flight report! Let’s take a break from all the Going Solo in Europe content & go back to something related to my 2nd favorite country after the Philippines – Japan. A few months ago, my friend & I flew to Fukuoka, Japan for 48 hours to surprise our close friend in her 1st international trip. Believe it or not, my friend & I spent less than ₱12,500 each for that whole trip – flights & hostel included. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air in a super affordable fare & stayed with Nekokura Hostel to save same some cash.

Today’s flight report will talk about that ‘almost-missed’ Manila to Fukuoka Cebu Pacific Air flight we took for that 48-hour Fukuoka trip. I will share with you how we booked the cheap ticket 3 weeks before the trip, how was our ground experience at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 & what can you expect in Cebu Pacific Air’s international in-flight product & cabin crew service.

I’ve covered a few Cebu Pacific Air & Cebgo flights in my previous flight reports – ₱600 Legazpi to Manila flight on 5J 328, $24 Manila to Jakarta flight on 5J 759, short & empty Boracay flight on 5J 905 & the Cebgo Turboprop flight from Boracay to Manila on DG 6244. Let’s add this ‘almost-missed’ & free base fare flight to Fukuoka on 5J 922.

Cebu Pacific Air

Cebu Pacific Air is not a new airline in this website. As mentioned in my previous flight reports, Cebu Pacific Air is the Philippines largest low-cost carrier. It flies to more than 60 domestic & international destinations across the country, Asia-Pacific & the Middle East. It is wholly owned by JG Summit Holdings, led by the Gokongweis. Including its subsidiary Cebgo, the airline operates a fleet of 70+ Airbus & ATR commercial & cargo aircraft with a number of new generation aircraft orders in place.

The airline has opened the opportunity for every Filipino to fly domestic & international at extremely low prices compared to its industry rivals. It is known for its ₱1-base fare promotions offered a few times a year. It has its own loyalty program called GetGo & is a founding member of Value Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of low-cost carriers.

Airfare & Inclusions

My friend & I got our return Manila to Fukuoka ticket for only ₱2,873.74. At the time of booking, Cebu Pacific Air’s loyalty program GetGo offered their Fukuoka route for 2,400 points per way plus taxes. At the same time, they had a ‘5,000 points off’ promotional code for selected East Asia routes including Fukuoka. The return ticket to Fukuoka costs 4,800 points plus taxes. Upon check out & using the promotional code, we ended up having our base fare free & paying only the airfare taxes. Note that we booked our tickets 3 weeks before the flight. Flights to Fukuoka take more than 3 hours per way. Having this affordable return ticket was definitely a good deal!

Cebu Pacific Air is a no-frills airline – meaning fares only include 7-kilogram carry on allowance & a guaranteed seat in the flight. Baggage allowance, food, reserved seats & insurance are all available at an extra cost. Fees & charges differ for each flight. You can click this link to more about the add-ons cost for each Cebu Pacific Air route. This trip only last for 48 hours & it wasn’t even cold yet in Japan so I only brought a small backpack me – no add-ons needed.

Want to know how I get these cheap tickets? I revealed my secrets in these blog posts – How to be a champ in booking low fare tickets part 1 & part 2.

Flight & Aircraft Information

This Manila to Fukuoka Flight on Cebu Pacific Air left Manila station a few minutes late because of us (you’ll know why) but arrived Fukuoka International Airport 11 minutes early. We left Manila at 3:27 pm PHT & arrived Japan at 7:49 pm JST. The total flight time was 3 hours & 22 minutes. The flight used a 7-year old (that time) Airbus A320-214 aircraft in an all-economy class configuration. The plane has a total of 180 seats on a 3-3 layout.

Airport Experience

My friend & I arrived at the airport 3 hours before the flight. We had quick lunch & went straight to the travel tax counter. After paying the required travel tax, we went to Cebu Pacific Air’s check in counters. There were 3 lines for check in – one for regular check in, one for mobile & internet check in & the last one for group bookings & senior citizens. My friend & I already checked in online so we headed to the mobile & internet check in line. All 3 check in lines were long, slow & chaotic.

Pamela, one of Cebu Pacific Air’s supervisors, heard & approached me. She apologized for the chaotic check in process & said that particular afternoon was busier than expected. She escorted us to the next available counter for check in. The woman in the check in desk was nice & accommodating. She granted our request of having emergency exit seats for no additional cost. The whole check in process took us about 1 hour & 15 minutes; it used to be less than 10-15 minutes.

After check in, my friend & I went to clear immigration. All immigration counters also had long & slow-moving lines. We asked favors from people in front of us if we can go first since our flight leaves in 35 minutes; thankfully, they agreed. It still took us 25 minutes to clear immigration. We went straight to final security check & cleared the process in less than 5 minutes. While falling in line, I already saw the Cebu Pacific Air ground staff calling Fukuoka-bound passengers. They are about to close the aircraft doors in 5 minutes. After clearing final security, my friend & I literally ran to the boarding gate & went straight to the plane. The cabin crew closed the plane doors after we boarded. Thank God we made it!

In-Flight Product

As a low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air doesn’t offer on-board entertainment screens & complimentary food. All seats have a decently sized tray table & a small pocket with in-flight magazines & safety card. It has 28 inches of seat pitch & a generous recline. My friends & I were seated in the emergency exit seats so we had bigger leg room than the usual but no seat recline. The seats on this airplane were already old & needs a refit.

In-flight meals & snacks are available for purchase from the time of booking the ticket up to 24 hours before the flight. Guests who failed to pre-book snacks or meals can still buy from the items being offered on-board by the cabin crew. Items for sale are found in the Fun Café menu in the seat pockets of every passenger. I purchased a bottle of Gatorade for ₱80 & a bottle of water for ₱40 during this flight.

One unique feature of Cebu Pacific Air flights is the in-flight fun games. Cabin crew members ask 3 questions under a specified category. The first passenger to get the correct answer receives a complimentary airline merchandise. My friends & I joined the game on this flight & we won a Cebu Pacific Air pouch.

I didn’t have the chance to visit the lavatory on this 3.5-hour flight. From past experiences, there’s nothing spectacular about Cebu Pacific Air lavatories – they’re clean, plain & basic like a usual low-cost carrier lavatory.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew on this Cebu Pacific Air flight to Fukuoka was nice & friendly. They greeted the passenger with their best smiles & served the food right after take-off. The crew assigned to our area even asked me questions how I was before she served my drinks. She even offered a glass of ice which they don’t usually do. I have nothing against the crew on this flight. I was a happy & satisfied customer.

Verdict

Overall, it was another pleasant flight with Cebu Pacific Air. We even got more than what we paid for. Imagine paying only ₱2,873.74 for a return ticket to Fukuoka, Japan & booking it 3 weeks before the flight? You rarely get that kind of airfare deal. It was definitely a steal!

The airport & ground experience was the worst part of this flight. Long & slow check in & immigration queues & last-minute boarding process didn’t make the experience enjoyable. My friend & I were thankful for Pamela, the woman at the check in counter & the people who allowed us to cut the immigration line. We won’t make it to our flight if not for them. All parties (including us) are at fault on what happened. We didn’t imagine that those airport scenes we see in movies would also happen to us. It was our first time running from security check to the boarding gate; it was also our first time being called for boarding. Don’t worry, we already learned our lesson.

The in-flight experience made up for all the mishaps that happened in the ground. The cabin crew assigned to our flight were friendly. The emergency exit seats were relatively comfortable to seat in on this 3.5-hour flight. My friends & I won in the in-flight game. More importantly, we arrived Fukuoka ahead of schedule despite leaving Manila a few minutes late. Sure, the airplane seats, tray tables & pockets needs a refit but these didn’t affect our fun flight to Fukuoka.

I will definitely fly again with Cebu Pacific Air in the future. They are always the best option for flying cheap to destinations here in the Philippines, in Asia Pacific & in the Middle East. I’m gutted my flights with them to Shanghai, China & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. I am still looking forward to booking future trips with them! I also want to try (again) & this time cover their long-haul economy routes to Dubai, Sydney & Melbourne. For those who want to know the specifics of this flight & the airplane used, check out the details below:

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 18 October 2019
Flight Number: 5J 922
Route: Manila (MNL) Philippines to Fukuoka (FUK) Japan
Duration: 3:22 hours
Seat Number: 12A
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Aircraft Registration: RP-C3237
Aircraft Engine: 2 x CFM International Jet Engines
Age: 8 years old
Year Delivered: 2012


That’s it for today. Have you ever missed (or almost-missed) a flight because of a mishap in check in, immigration & final security check? What happened & what did you do when that happened? You may share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any question about the things mentioned above or about Cebu Pacific Air in general? You may also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I’ll get to them soon.

Thanks for joining me in today’s flight report! My next flight report will be about Czech Airlines on my flight from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark. Watch out for that! In the meantime, you may follow me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.