Business Class Flights to (MNL) Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport

What to Know About Manila’s MNL Airport Before You Fly

Manila Airport (MNL) is the main gateway for travel to and from the Philippines. Connecting Manila and its surrounding area to more than 50 international destinations and offering extensive domestic services across the Philippines’ many islands, MNL is a highly trafficked global air hub. In 2024, the airport saw a record 50.1 million passengers pass through its gates, making it the fifth busiest airport in Southeast Asia.

Manila’s Airport is sometimes referred to as NAIA, a shortened version of its official name: Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Originally known as Manila International Airport (MIA), the facility was renamed in August 1987 in honor of the former Philippine senator who was assassinated there in 1983.

Location & Transportation Options

Compared to many capital-city airports, MNL has a prime, central location just 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Manila’s city center and 4 miles (7 kilometers) from Makati, the main business district. Offering convenient access not only to offices and business centers, the Manila Airport is also centrally located for access to tourist attractions, including the Mall of Asia (MOA) and Entertainment City. The most convenient way to get from downtown Manila to the airport is via ride share (Grab) or taxi, with a travel time ranging from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic, which can be unpredictable. Other options for accessing the airport from the city include airport buses, city buses, and trains (which are connected to the airport via shuttle service).

Manila Airport’s Layout & Facilities

The Manila Airport features four passenger terminals, each serving different air carriers and types of flights. Terminal 1 primarily handles international MNL flights for foreign carriers like Etihad, Saudia, and Japan Airlines. Terminal 2 serves both international and domestic flights to MNL, with Philippine Airlines handling a majority of the terminal’s traffic. Terminal 3 is the largest, handling a mix of domestic and international routes. Terminal 4 is dedicated to domestic flights to MNL.

Because the airport is in a dense urban area and is incredibly busy, travelers flying on MNL airfare should expect longer lines and congested areas. Originally built in 1948 and with terminals dating back to the early 1980s, Manila’s airport facilities may seem older and more outdated compared to newer airports.

MNL Ticket Booking Guide

Looking to get the best deals on MNL airfare? The best months to fly to MNL are February and March, as well as September through early November. MNL ticket prices tend to spike during Holy Week (typically in March or April), Chinese New Year (late February or early March), and during the Philippines’ summer (March through May). The most expensive time of the year to fly to MNL is during Christmas and New Year’s.

What Airlines Serve MNL Airport?

More than 50 different airlines operate flights to MNL. Aside from the country’s flagship carrier, Philippine Airlines, which operates MNL flights to more than 70 destinations, other top air carriers include low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia, which serve 15 countries and nine countries, respectively. Some of the most popular international airlines serving MNL include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, and China Southern Airlines. In total, the Manila airport offers service to 90 non-stop destinations across 29 countries, split nearly evenly between domestic and international routes.

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