All but one of my work trips were flown via Philippine Airlines through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. The terminal is also referred to as centennial terminal since it’s completion in 1998 coincided with Philippines’ 100th year of independence from Spain (although a marker in the terminal said it was constructed in August 1999). Today, Centennial caters specifically to local and international flights of Philippine Airlines (PAL, the country’s flag carrier) as NAIA Terminal 3 hosted Cebu Pacific in mid-2008.
When I was working for the two-month JICA study, both PAL and CebuPac operated from this crisp-white, wanna-look-modern airport. The check-in counters were usually divided into two sections, one for each airline. Now, PAL mans all the 28 check-in counters and filled it with the blue, white and red line separators. Gone are the yellow polo shirt-wearing staff of CebuPac and more yellow checkered formal-uniformed staff of PAL welcomed passengers.
I have gone through Terminal 2 dozens of times and probably through all of its boarding gates. I have also done my computing in all of its laptop stations at the boarding area and used both of its comfort rooms. I haven’t eaten on all of the food stalls though as some of them looks intimidating (read: expensive).
To give you an idea of what’s inside the boarding area (especially for those who have never flown via PAL) and as I got a little bored waiting for our flight, here are some fast facts about Terminal 2, mostly for the boarding area of domestic flights.
Getting to the airport– by taxi or by bus (those with MIA signs).
Entry to the airport – this was the first flight I took in PAL wherein I was able to enter the airport even without showing my ticket (I guess they adopted the NAIA 3 style already)
Baggage Scan – twice. One before check-in and one before entering the boarding area. Body check (or what’s that term again?!) is being conducted at each scan area. REMEMBER: Hand-carried bags must not have any liquid containers above 100ml and always check-in your umbrella, tripod, Swiss knives and any other “deadly” normal stuff. Otherwise, you might be “forced” to leave them behind (Merry Christmas to the airport staff!) or go back to the check-in counter (I don;t know if there’s an added fee. Since PAL fares include baggage allowance anyway, just check-in your luggage. It will take time claiming upon arrival to destination but at least saves you some trouble if in case you have these items.
Check-in counters– 28? (I didn’t really count this one). Upon entry, you can look at the screen directly in front (elevated) of you and cross-reference your flight number with the specific check-in counter.
Terminal fee – P200 (in Terminal 3 too!) paid separately prior to entering the boarding area (the receipt is stapled to the boarding pass and checked by Terminal 2 satff
Boarding gates – 8, S1 from the left section and so on to S8 at the right section (except S4 which is the “need-to-take-the-bus-to-get-to-the-plane” gate). Check your boarding pass for your assigned gate.
Airport-airplane Bridge (or whatever it is called) – I didn’t really count. But as far as I can remember, I have never walked from boarding gate to the plane without it (unless I used the bus)
Laptop stations – 4, 2 each section. Comes with tables, chairs and electric outlets. Sadly, wifi is not included. Even if there are a lot of “FREE wifi” connections being detected.
Seats – 5-in-a-group. Unlike Terminal 3’s cushioned seats, the ones at Terminal 2 are quite sturdy (read: hard) but not really uncomfortable.
Air-conditioning – I think the AC units are in those tall circular posts all-over the boarding section. I don’t know about you but I get cold easily so I always bring a jacket/sweater/shawl.
Comfort/Rest Room– 2, one per section. Payphones are outside (it’s like the wall to hide the CR) so as prepaid load vending machines (your bills should be as crisp as pringles to be accepted. seriously.)
LCD Television – 8 (two back to back, 4 each section)
Smoking Area – 1 (I think this is some kind of a restaurant/snack section as well. Never been inside since I don’t smoke)
Stalls (Food and Drinks, Coffee Shop, Books/Magazines) in order from S8-S1
Lola Babes – snacks, chips, noodles, drinks; Chipstead – hotdogs, sandwiches, shawarma, drinks; 1418 Food enterprise – two stall spaces, snacks, chips, cake/bread, drinks; Cafe France – coffee shop; Ya Kun Kaya Toast – Singapore coffee shop (never tried. intimidated by the perceived cost. hahaha); Vin Vin Kiosk – one part siomai/siopao cinnabon, one part snacks, noodles, drinks; Red Ribbon – bread, cakes, drinks; Christian Ventures Bookazine Corp. – broadsheets, books, magazines (local and international showbiz, lifestyle, business and news); Mister Donut – donuts, coffee and drinks; Cafe del Cielo Goldilocks – mostly cakes, breads, pasalubong packs, coffee and drinks; Massage Center – Whole body, chair, foot and leg, scalp. Minimum 20mins (P300), P900/hour.
(If you are a Mabuhay Miles Elite/Premier Elite Member, I think you can gain access to Mabuhay Lounge and all the food and drinks found within. A colleague who is a VERY frequent PAL flyer always manages to sneak out [read: not allowed!] some biscuits and soda for me whenever I ask him to. Hehe)
For prices, I believe softdrinks have a flat rate of P50. I’m guessing the noodles, water and other common snacks have the same price as well. If you want to save (or you’re just the typical “kuripot”), endure your thirst and hunger and enjoy the free snack combo of Coffee/Tea/Water (I usually have Tea AND Water) + Biscuit + Nuts.
As far as I know, PAL is the only domestic airline offering free snack. But if it’s the only thing that sets it apart from other airlines, I would gladly forego in-flight snack for a cheaper airfare from other airlines (for my personal travel at least). I think the only plus of PAL among my bosses is the perceived safety over other airlines and the “perceived” reputation of being on time most of the time (our flight was delayed due to other planes being prioritized for landing) but that’s another story.
Anyway, I hope these fast facts (or something) will help lessen the hassle you’ll go through when taking your PAL flight at NAIA Terminal 2. Happy flying!
The Diarist Wanders 
I do not agree with her, it is personal effort!
Hi! I wonder what it is you don’t agree on? Just curious.
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paano po munta ng naia terminal 2 departing hall.
at paano ko ko po malalaman kung sasakay na ng eroplano.
paano po malalaman kung anung eroplano ang sasakyna… thanks
Hi! Sorry, it was really late to see your post already but I hope you got on your flight. If hindi pa scheduled, then I suggest you try any of the following: super budget: MRT to Pasay Taft station and then take the MIA buses. Ask first if they go to NAIA 2. Baka nagbago na eh. If you can afford it, mag-taxi ka na. Although, they charge about 150-200 when I last took my flight late last year. OR, take the MRT to Pasay Taft station and then, get down on your left. Andun ang bus terminal for terminal 3. It’s 20 pesos. Again, that was for January this year. From there, take another shuttle to NAIA 2. I think free na yang shuttle to NAIA 2. Or 20 pesos ulit. Good luck!
sna s pagpunta q bukas s centennial hindi aq mdisappoint s masasakyan qng taxi last sunday ksi grabe ang nsakyan namin taxi wlang traffic andali lng ng biyahe namen grabe cnicngil s amin 1800 C5 ang daan nmen ang garapal ng mga taxi driver inaabuso ang paniningil metered peo ng hinihingi nmen ung print wla dw kakagigil sna maaksyunan nio ang mga taxi dyan s airport mga abusado
Hi Jack! Saan ba kayo hinatid ng taxi? Grabe naman sa 1800. Pauwi nga sa bahay namin sa Novaliches, around 500 lang eh. I suggest na lang na if wala kang madaming dala, you can probably take the shuttle (P20) at EDSA Taft station. As of 2 weeks ago, nagamit pa siya pa-Terminal 3 ng couchsurfer na hinost ko. From terminal 3, you can take another shuttle (also P20) to terminal 1. Ang alam ko ok pa yung service na yun eh. Or, from EDSA Taft, or anywhere along EDSA route, take the buses going to MIA. It’s supposed to drop you near the entrance of Terminal 2. Na-try ko na to, pero 2012 pa so hindi ko alam if ganun pa din route nila. Good luck!
Allowed ba to go inside din yung maghahatid kahit until makpag chek in ka lang ng luggage?
Hi Jeff,
Hindi ko sure sa terminal 2 pero yes sa terminal 3.
hi. is it okay for me to stay overnight at naia terminal2? my flight will be at 8am, and i’m from los banos. i’m afraid of not getting bus in the early morning and planning to stay overnight there. fyi,i’m a girl and travelling alone. thanks ^_^
Hi! Hmmm, I’m not sure if the guards will let you in tonight. I think they have 24-hour operations but you getting there tonight for a morning flight, not so sure. But you can always try I guess. 🙂 Otherwise, you can probably stay up super late tonight, take a jeep to calamba/turbina, get a bus that passes by EDSA and get down at Baclaran/Taft/Magallanes. From there you can take a bus with signboard MIA/NAIA. Straight to airport na yun. 🙂 Of course, you can always take a taxi at any point. Baka mahal nga lang. Pwede din, gumising ka na lang nang maaga! Then take the same bus instructions from Turbina if wala pang Greenstar, DLTB or HM. 🙂
omg~ thank you for the quick reply. thanks again~ ^_^
hi po, may bus po b na pweding sakyan papuntang terminal 2..kung mang gagaling aq ng pasay.thanks
Hmmm, Kung EDSA, sakay ka Lang ng MIA na sign, you can get there. 🙂
salamat…:)
Good morning, hehehe i will take the bus! Sana lang parehas pa rin yung route mangaggaling akong katipunan.
As of 3 weeks, it’s still the same. 🙂 my Belgian friend went to the airport to pick-up our other friend and yes, she used the bus from Guadalupe. Since there’s road works along EDSA, maybe better to take the MRT till Taft then just search for that bus. Lakad konti papuntang north since the buses won’t stop at MRT station.
Hi, ask lang po ako…what time ako pupunta ng NAIA terminal2 if I’m from Harrison St, Pasay at ung flight ko is at 4:30AM?
Hi! I’m not familiar with Harrison traffic but I’m guessing, if by taxi, you can leave home at 2am and be at the airport by 230 or even earlier. 🙂
thank you po 🙂
Just wana ask po if pareho b ng waiting area ng arrival ng terminal 1 at 2 pra s mga magsusundo.. Thx in advanz..
Ay, Hindi po. Magakaibang airport po yan.
Ask ko po Sana kung what terminal po mag land ang Thai airways?thanks po…
Hi! I’m not sure these days. But it used to be at Terminal 1. There’s been changes with the airport terminals and airlines so it’s best to check the airline website or call center. 🙂
Hi..i wanna ask if there are yellow taxi’s lining up outside terminal 2. It’s my first time in the Philippines so Im a bit scared of safety especially my flight arrives at midnight. Is it advisable to go out and pick a taxi or just stay inside the terminal? i booked a reservation at gran prix econotel pasay…Hope you can advice me on what to do..your help is much appreciated.
Hi Jack, there are yellow taxis (as in the airport taxi: flagdown P70, additional P3.50 per 300 meters) at the airport at any time of the day. The Gran Prix econotel is not that far (about 7kms, about 15mins travel at midnight, more or less 200 pesos). The driver will also be more familiar with the place if you tell him Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Pasay. The econotel is kind of attached to the terminal. You shouldn’t encounter that much of a problem really. If you want to feel safer, take a coupon taxi (fixed rate, not sure how much it is for Pasay). All the best!
Good day!
I would just to inquire if their would be no problem for me, if i arrive at the airport..kasi po yung domestic flight ko po darating sa terminal 2 ng around 8am, tapos may flight ako pa international mga 11am po.. Hindi po ba ako mahihirapan nyan na pumanta from domestic to international ?pal din po yung international ko po… Thank you so much..
Tsaka din nga po pala, paano po ba pumunta from domestic na to international?hindi po ba masyado malayo ang lalakarin ko para makapunta ng international pa check in? Salamat ulit…😃
Hi Lou, most of the PAL domestic and international flights are at Terminal 2. So I think first and foremost, check which terminal you are leaving from. http://www.philippineairlines.com/flights/whats-my-terminal/ If you are landing at terminal 2 and departing at terminal 2, then no worries. If you are landing at terminal 2 and departing at terminal 3 (which is not so common), then you’d need to transfer. Normally, ground staff/transfer desk should assist you. There’s also a PAL shuttle service I think, between terminals 2 and 3. Also, it’s best to do web check-in for both your flights. And if it’s a connecting PAL flight, you should be able to do what they call “checkthrough” of baggage so you don’t have to claim your luggage and check-in again. I’m not so sure if it works with PAL but that’s supposedly how it’s done. Safe travels!
hello po. i just want to inquire. if you will arrive in NAIA term 2 from an international flight and go to the departure again for you PAL domestic flight, how far is the walking time? thanks.
Hi Cirs, sorry I have been offline lately. But anyway, if your PAL domestic flight is also in Terminal 2, then there shouldn’t be much of a problem. Probably 15mins? Or, if it’s PAL all the way, there might be ground crew to assist you.
Hi. I’m traveling solo for the first time and kinakabahan. and may connecting flight ako Manila-Laoag and same terminal, sa terminal 2. When I arrive in terminal 2, do I have to go out and go through the same process again like when I depart? Thank you.
Hi Hanna, sorry, I’ve been offline recently. I hope you made it through your flights! If you’re transiting between international flight and domestic flight, you’d have to transfer to the other building section. But if it’s just domestic, I think no need to change buildings. But, you might still need to check-in again, unless you tried the check-through option (meaning your boarding passes for both flights were given at the counter when you checked in for the first flight. In any case, PAL ground crew should be there to assist you. If this was already in the past, can you share what happened? Thanks!
Where I can park the car in terminal 2 while waiting… And where can I exit in going to pick up passengers…
good day sir/madam..pwde po mag ask magbabayad pa po b kami ng exit fee Kong meron po magkano po Kaya bbayaran namin tatlo po aalis for immigrant po from terminal 2 po kami manggagaling sir..thank you
Hi Haydee, sorry, I’m not familiar sa query mo. If you’re referring to exit fee, I think as a Filipino traveler on international flights, you would have to pay the travel tax.
Hi good day. We are leaving for bangkok from manila. Sa terminal 2 kami ng anak ko. I just want to ask kung ano po ba ang dapat kong unahin, check in po ba muna o pagbabayad ng travel tax (1620) first time ko po kasi and i am confused po. Sayang po kasi ang ipipila ko kung magkakamali ako. May kasama pa po akong bata. Saka po ang departures po ay northwing at normally sa taas po sya diba? Salamat po
hi Mia! Always check-in first. After that, pay your travel tax. 🙂 the international departure area is more on the left side (sorry di ko alam north). So have your taxi/car drive towards the farther end of NAIA Terminal 2. 🙂 Ingat and sana oks si baby! 🙂
Hello po,flight ko po from Cebu to manila terminal 2 connecting flight po ako depart ko po terminal 2 to san francisco.ilang minutes po ba from terminal to arrival to terminal 2 departure worried po kasi ako kasi 2hours and 50 minutes lang yong lay over ko.maraming salamat po
Hi! I think 2hrs 50mins should be enough, especially if this is a coonecting flight.Let the check-in counter staff at Cebu airport know so they can advise you or T2 staff. Make sure you “check-through” your baggage when you check-in. It means hindi mo na dapat kukunin yung luggage mo from domestic t2 to international t2. Pero check with PAL’s check-in counter in Cebu. Also, I think there’s ground crew to help facilitate the transfers. Again, please check with the check-in counter. Meron kasing immigration check ito since you’re leaving the country. Sana walang delay sa Cebu-Manila flight mo para hindi ka maghabol sa MNL-SFO flight. Happy travels!
Hello. Got a question in mind. My family and I will be arriving in Terminal 2 from International flight with Philippines Airlines at 450am. We really want to take the domestic flight with Philippines Airlines to Gensan at 655am, which is also in Terminal 2. Will 2 hours be enough for us to get through immigration and customs, then go through the whole process of checking in again on the same terminal? Thanks for any reply. Aura.
Hi Aura, did you buy it as connecting flights via PAL? I think if so, then it’s possible. Most likely you will be ushered by PAL Ground Crew when you arrived from international flight. And 450am shouldn’t be that busy. Make sure to check-through at the PAL counter where you will be flying from. This way, PAL takes care of your luggage and transferring it to your domestic flight. At least that’s how I think it works, since it’ll be in the same terminal anyway. Let me know how it goes. 🙂
Pede na po bang makapsok ang mga maghahatid sa loob ng airport sa terminal 2?
Hi Jenny, matagal na akong di gumamit Ng terminal 2. Pero I think Hindi pa din.