The Philippines‘ national carrier Philippine Airlines currently offers cheap nonstop roundtrips in business class to Manila from the Middle East. From Saudi-Arabian coastal city Dammam you can travel for as little as SAR 3,931 (~€977), but you need a Saudi-Arabian visa worth SAR 375 (~€93) for multiple entries to book that flight. From Doha, tickets are QAR 4,020 (~€1,030) – and most EU citizens can get a free visa waiver for Qatar.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Skyscanner with your selected flight dates. There, you can proceed to Philippine Airlines and also check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €120 cheaper.
If you are not set on nonstop travel, you can also fly Oman Air’s business class for just SAR 4,780 (~€1,188) with a change of planes in Muscat.
Philippine Airlines deploys their Airbus A330-300 aircraft on both routes. The airlines installed refurbished business class in these planes just before the Covid-19-pandemic hit. Lie-flat-seats in a 1-2-1 seating pattern await you, alongside above average cabin service.
- Philippine Airlines Airbus A330 Business Class Review by Sam Chui
- Philippine Airlines Airbus A330 Business Class Review by I.Wander
From Doha, you can fly Qatar Airways for roughly the same price:
Search & Book
This fare is not confined to a sales or travel period. You have to stay at least 2 days at your destination to get the lowest fare. Availability is outstanding all year round.
Google Flights will help you find additional flight dates. Even though you can get much cheaper tickets through online travel agencies, we strongly recommend booking directly with the airline.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Philippine Airlines issues tickets for both routes in booking class Z.
- 11,320 Award Miles on ANA Mileage Club
Destination
Hotel prices in Manila usually start at roughly €20-25, depending on the hotel category and the specific dates. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated city. It is located on a bay on the island of Luzon. Here Spanish colonial architecture blends with modern skyscrapers.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit Manila is from November to March. The summer months which are from April to June are quite hot and humid and are not preferable to roam in the city.
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Information & Tips for Philippines
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific and comprises more than 7,000 islands. In the capital, Manila, there is a famous waterfront promenade and a centuries-old Chinatown called Binondo.
Best Time to Visit
The Philippines are most popular during the dry season, between November and April. At this time the country is fully accessible, including its many beautiful islands and more remote areas. Temperatures are high during March and April, so it’s best to travel during the cooler months of December to February.
Entry & Visa
Since 2013, if you are from a EU country you don’t need a visa if your planned stay in the Philippines is 30 days or less. Citizens from 157 countries can now enter the Philippines visa-free.
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Cover Picture: © fazon - stock.adobe.com