Heathrow to Manila and Back

[Harry T]

I booked my Philippines flight with Travel Agents Fly Sharp, and was travelling with Saudi Airlines for £435 return 1 change both ways in Riyadh, on my outward bound journey nothing special, just an ordinary Flight and 3 hour waitover for my Manila Flight, so yeah no problems, but the return where oh where do i begin.

Firstly my Flight from Davao to Manila with CebPac was delayed thats not a problem it cut down my waiting time in Manila when i get to Manila i go to the Saudi Check in desk put my bags on the scales and handover my paperwork, then i saw some whispering going on behind the desk, and Im wondering whats wrong am i late, did i forget something blah blah blah, then this official looking guy from the Airline comes over and says Mr Tromans we have a problem, we dont have enough time in Riyadh for your change over, we need 1 hour you only have 55 minutes would you mind if we offer you an alternative flight via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific yeah im happy with that so long as i can make my Coach connection from Heathrow better airline, better airport , yes Mr Tromans you will still arrive at Heathrow for your Coach connection. wow this is to good to be true they print out my Ticket then while i am awaiting a Terminal change Bus at Manila i read my Ticket and Im due to arrive at Heathrow different Terminal to my Coach departure
I tell the guy assisting me, this is no good its arriving at Heathrow but the wrong Terminal, frantic phone calls we can offer you Korean Air to Heathrow arriving 5-15, okay just get me to Heathrow my Coach is 9-20am so Korean air is fine by me, come with me sir, we need to get the new tickets, while we are in the lift this guy informs me that its an 8 hour wait in Korea, and we would arrive in the UK at 5-15 PM not AM.. no no no, thats no good whatsoever, back to the Office checking various Flights in the end we settle for Cathay to Heathrow via Hong Kong but the wrong Terminal, i said you get me to Heathrow, let me worry about my Coach travel. Tickets printed and escorted to the Terminal Bus Transfer with my precious tickets in my hand.

By the time we arrived at the other Terminal in Manila, it was to late to catch the intended Airplane so we had to wait for the next available Cathay Pacific Flight to Hong Kong, when we finally arrived in Hong Kong there were several notices saying passengers for Oslo this way, Passengers for Canada this way, and Passengers for Heathrow this way there were 4 of us bound for Heathrow, we were quickly escorted through Hong Kong Airport and our Cathay Pacific Rep said ignore the other Girls just follow me (she was Fit ) and i was only to happy to do that, we eventually get to the Cathay Desk and she informs us that we are to late to make the last Cathay Flight out of Hong Kong that night its 11-55pm, what we are doing is putting you up in a nearby hotel, here are your Flight Tickets, supper vouchers, and breakfast vouchers, but you have to go through immigration as the Hotel is outside the Airport. When we get to immigration there is a massive que and we are not being fast Tracked, it took us maybe 1 hour to get through there, remember we had still not eaten, Yeah we were in a really lovely Hotel but time was getting on, we managed to get some food at Mcdonalds which was still open, but by the time we got to our Hotel rooms it was past 2-00am, we have to be up at 6-00am to Freshen up, have our Breakfast and check out of the Hotel and in for our Flights.. lols. so yeah all sounds great but not very practical to get a decent sleep.
Finally i/we managed to get through the various requirements and boarded our Cathay Flight for Heathrow, nice Airline is Cathay i think this wont be the last time that i use them. I arrived at Heathrow around 5-00pm and followed the signs for Central Coach Station where I booked another Ticket for Bournemouth Coach station, this time i had a bit of good luck, the Ticketing Clerk said the 5-00pm Coach is running about 20 minutes late you can catch that one rather than wait for the something past seven Coach, i finally arrived at Bournemouth Coach station at around 8-00pm tired and exhausted after my 44 Hour journey from Davao to Heathrow,..

[grahamw48]

Blimey, that IS a nightmare.

I'm not surprised about Cebu Pacific delaying you. Heard LOTS of bad reports about them.

Surely you can claim some compensation from Cebu Pacific or Saudi ?

[Slip]

Out of interest. Which terminal was you due to arrive in at Heathrow with Cathay when they first offered. Just Terminals 1-3 are linked and walking distance to the coach terminal. Terminal 4 and 5 you can get a shuttle bus to the coach station which takes no more then 15 minutes.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Flew with Saudi on my first trip over to the Phils and it was the worst airline I've used on that route. Old aircraft with a dull interior - plus a six hour delay at Riyadh for the flight to Manila.

I wouldn't have been bothered about the terminal I flew into at Heathrow. There's a rail link between a few of them (can't remember which) plus buses. Worst case scenario would be to take a taxi.

[sars_notd_virus]

I booked my Philippines flight with Travel Agents Fly Sharp, and was travelling with Saudi Airlines for £435 return 1 change both ways in Riyadh, on my outward bound journey nothing special, just an ordinary Flight and 3 hour waitover for my Manila Flight, so yeah no problems, but the return where oh where do i begin.

Firstly my Flight from Davao to Manila with CebPac was delayed thats not a problem it cut down my waiting time in Manila when i get to Manila i go to the Saudi Check in desk put my bags on the scales and handover my paperwork, then i saw some whispering going on behind the desk, and Im wondering whats wrong am i late, did i forget something blah blah blah, then this official looking guy from the Airline comes over and says Mr Tromans we have a problem, we dont have enough time in Riyadh for your change over, we need 1 hour you only have 55 minutes would you mind if we offer you an alternative flight via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific yeah im happy with that so long as i can make my Coach connection from Heathrow better airline, better airport , yes Mr Tromans you will still arrive at Heathrow for your Coach connection. wow this is to good to be true they print out my Ticket then while i am awaiting a Terminal change Bus at Manila i read my Ticket and Im due to arrive at Heathrow different Terminal to my Coach departure
I tell the guy assisting me, this is no good its arriving at Heathrow but the wrong Terminal, frantic phone calls we can offer you Korean Air to Heathrow arriving 5-15, okay just get me to Heathrow my Coach is 9-20am so Korean air is fine by me, come with me sir, we need to get the new tickets, while we are in the lift this guy informs me that its an 8 hour wait in Korea, and we would arrive in the UK at 5-15 PM not AM.. no no no, thats no good whatsoever, back to the Office checking various Flights in the end we settle for Cathay to Heathrow via Hong Kong but the wrong Terminal, i said you get me to Heathrow, let me worry about my Coach travel. Tickets printed and escorted to the Terminal Bus Transfer with my precious tickets in my hand.

By the time we arrived at the other Terminal in Manila, it was to late to catch the intended Airplane so we had to wait for the next available Cathay Pacific Flight to Hong Kong, when we finally arrived in Hong Kong there were several notices saying passengers for Oslo this way, Passengers for Canada this way, and Passengers for Heathrow this way there were 4 of us bound for Heathrow, we were quickly escorted through Hong Kong Airport and our Cathay Pacific Rep said ignore the other Girls just follow me (she was Fit ) and i was only to happy to do that, we eventually get to the Cathay Desk and she informs us that we are to late to make the last Cathay Flight out of Hong Kong that night its 11-55pm, what we are doing is putting you up in a nearby hotel, here are your Flight Tickets, supper vouchers, and breakfast vouchers, but you have to go through immigration as the Hotel is outside the Airport. When we get to immigration there is a massive que and we are not being fast Tracked, it took us maybe 1 hour to get through there, remember we had still not eaten, Yeah we were in a really lovely Hotel but time was getting on, we managed to get some food at Mcdonalds which was still open, but by the time we got to our Hotel rooms it was past 2-00am, we have to be up at 6-00am to Freshen up, have our Breakfast and check out of the Hotel and in for our Flights.. lols. so yeah all sounds great but not very practical to get a decent sleep.
Finally i/we managed to get through the various requirements and boarded our Cathay Flight for Heathrow, nice Airline is Cathay i think this wont be the last time that i use them. I arrived at Heathrow around 5-00pm and followed the signs for Central Coach Station where I booked another Ticket for Bournemouth Coach station, this time i had a bit of good luck, the Ticketing Clerk said the 5-00pm Coach is running about 20 minutes late you can catch that one rather than wait for the something past seven Coach, i finally arrived at Bournemouth Coach station at around 8-00pm tired and exhausted after my 44 Hour journey from Davao to Heathrow,..

takes about a week !!..you must be bloody knackered!!... the money you saved on a cheaper flight , they've be better off just working the extra week to pay for a better flight

[grahamw48]

My next flight is with Etihad ( been fine on my previous trips with them) from Manchester. £456... direct from the airline.

There have been a lot of good prices recently, presumably because of lower fuel costs ?

[Michael Parnham]

I booked my Philippines flight with Travel Agents Fly Sharp, and was travelling with Saudi Airlines for £435 return 1 change both ways in Riyadh, on my outward bound journey nothing special, just an ordinary Flight and 3 hour waitover for my Manila Flight, so yeah no problems, but the return where oh where do i begin.

Firstly my Flight from Davao to Manila with CebPac was delayed thats not a problem it cut down my waiting time in Manila when i get to Manila i go to the Saudi Check in desk put my bags on the scales and handover my paperwork, then i saw some whispering going on behind the desk, and Im wondering whats wrong am i late, did i forget something blah blah blah, then this official looking guy from the Airline comes over and says Mr Tromans we have a problem, we dont have enough time in Riyadh for your change over, we need 1 hour you only have 55 minutes would you mind if we offer you an alternative flight via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific yeah im happy with that so long as i can make my Coach connection from Heathrow better airline, better airport , yes Mr Tromans you will still arrive at Heathrow for your Coach connection. wow this is to good to be true they print out my Ticket then while i am awaiting a Terminal change Bus at Manila i read my Ticket and Im due to arrive at Heathrow different Terminal to my Coach departure
I tell the guy assisting me, this is no good its arriving at Heathrow but the wrong Terminal, frantic phone calls we can offer you Korean Air to Heathrow arriving 5-15, okay just get me to Heathrow my Coach is 9-20am so Korean air is fine by me, come with me sir, we need to get the new tickets, while we are in the lift this guy informs me that its an 8 hour wait in Korea, and we would arrive in the UK at 5-15 PM not AM.. no no no, thats no good whatsoever, back to the Office checking various Flights in the end we settle for Cathay to Heathrow via Hong Kong but the wrong Terminal, i said you get me to Heathrow, let me worry about my Coach travel. Tickets printed and escorted to the Terminal Bus Transfer with my precious tickets in my hand.

By the time we arrived at the other Terminal in Manila, it was to late to catch the intended Airplane so we had to wait for the next available Cathay Pacific Flight to Hong Kong, when we finally arrived in Hong Kong there were several notices saying passengers for Oslo this way, Passengers for Canada this way, and Passengers for Heathrow this way there were 4 of us bound for Heathrow, we were quickly escorted through Hong Kong Airport and our Cathay Pacific Rep said ignore the other Girls just follow me (she was Fit ) and i was only to happy to do that, we eventually get to the Cathay Desk and she informs us that we are to late to make the last Cathay Flight out of Hong Kong that night its 11-55pm, what we are doing is putting you up in a nearby hotel, here are your Flight Tickets, supper vouchers, and breakfast vouchers, but you have to go through immigration as the Hotel is outside the Airport. When we get to immigration there is a massive que and we are not being fast Tracked, it took us maybe 1 hour to get through there, remember we had still not eaten, Yeah we were in a really lovely Hotel but time was getting on, we managed to get some food at Mcdonalds which was still open, but by the time we got to our Hotel rooms it was past 2-00am, we have to be up at 6-00am to Freshen up, have our Breakfast and check out of the Hotel and in for our Flights.. lols. so yeah all sounds great but not very practical to get a decent sleep.
Finally i/we managed to get through the various requirements and boarded our Cathay Flight for Heathrow, nice Airline is Cathay i think this wont be the last time that i use them. I arrived at Heathrow around 5-00pm and followed the signs for Central Coach Station where I booked another Ticket for Bournemouth Coach station, this time i had a bit of good luck, the Ticketing Clerk said the 5-00pm Coach is running about 20 minutes late you can catch that one rather than wait for the something past seven Coach, i finally arrived at Bournemouth Coach station at around 8-00pm tired and exhausted after my 44 Hour journey from Davao to Heathrow,..

You could write a book Harry, wow

[Trefor]

Crap journey, but at least Saudi tried to help you once they noticed their mistake in allowing you to book a 55 mins transfer. Of course you would probably have made the transfer in Saudi just fine in the first place...

[Terpe]

Enjoyed reading reading your story Harry
Sorry to hear about your 44 hour journey hassles.
Glad to learn you arrived home safely.

[Tawi2]

Harry,cathay did exactly the same to me 2 years ago,flight delayed from manila to honkers,missed the connection,faffed around in honkers for 2 hours trying to get everyone a hotel sorted,gave us the taxi and 100 HKD to pay him,it was new years eve of all nights,i dont drink so it didnt bother me but i got an early flight new years day so only had a couple of hours kip in the hotel as the old saying goes its better to travel than to arrive

[bigmarco]

Flew with Saudi on my first trip over to the Phils and it was the worst airline I've used on that route. Old aircraft with a dull interior - plus a six hour delay at Riyadh for the flight to Manila.

I wouldn't have been bothered about the terminal I flew into at Heathrow. There's a rail link between a few of them (can't remember which) plus buses. Worst case scenario would be to take a taxi.

Friend of mine got delayed 24 hours with Saudi when we flew out at Christmas. I paid a few bob more and went Thai and he arrived 2 days later after a nightmare in the middle east.
On my avoid at all costs list now.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Friend of mine got delayed 24 hours with Saudi when we flew out at Christmas. I paid a few bob more and went Thai and he arrived 2 days later after a nightmare in the middle east.
On my avoid at all costs list now.

With so many airlines flying the route, plus my own experience of them, your friend, & Harry's - yep, they're not an option now. Saudi are not even the cheapest.

[bigmarco]

With so many airlines flying the route, plus my own experience of them, your friend, & Harry's - yep, they're not an option now. Saudi are not even the cheapest.

Managed to get Cathay Pacific in August for £629pp which I thought was a good deal.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Managed to get Cathay Pacific in August for £629pp which I thought was a good deal.

Paid exactly the same on one of my trips with Cathay. Cheapest fare I've paid using them was £458 but I think that was a one off.

[Harry T]

Nice to read about other peoples experiences (not nice but ya know what i mean Harry ), Two airlines on my dont do list are Kuwait, and Saudi, both middle east airlines, is there a trend there ?.

I forgot to mention, on my HK to Heathrow flight, there were two young British Guys both well spoken, they were steadily drinking Beer all the way back, which is fine i guess because its allowed, then when we were preparing to land, they both got there bags, and stuffed the Blankets into them, only a little thing i know, but pratts like them do no-one any favours, if they want to drink all the way, back then they should in my Opinion have to pay for it, as for the Blankets what can one say .

[Ako Si Jamie]

Flown with Kuwait Airways too and I thought they were quite good. Better than Saudi and China Southern.

None of their planes has had an accident resulting in a single fatality in over 60 years of flying (according to Wiki).

[Ako Si Jamie]

Just seen a return flight from LHR to MNL with Cathay Pacific going for £411 on 25th May.

Same price as Air China too. What's that all about?