How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight on a Budget Airline

Last week, I flew to the Philippines (and back) via a budget airline for the 3rd time. Some of my friends couldn't help but ask why. Well, I say, why not? I don't really mind traveling on low-cost carriers, especially when I have to stretch our travel fund a little bit farther! But human as I am, I also have the tendency to compare.

Having experienced flying with some of the bests in the aviation industry, I know I'm missing a lot of things when I'm in a cheap flight. Yet I don't have the heart to loathe low-cost carriers because when I get to see the whole picture, what they offer is exactly what I paid for!

Instead of being disappointed, I learned how to make flying on a budget less excruciating. Here are some ways...

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Dubai-Manila Budget Flights via Cebu Pacific

Last Christmas, Ed and I got ourselves the most fantastic holiday present: the cheapest Dubai-Manila round trip tickets! We were actually experiencing the usual holiday blues until we discovered that Cebu Pacific, a popular low-cost carrier in the Philippines, launched a grand seat sale on Christmas morning. Nothing can ever beat the excitement of booking a homecoming flight, and getting it at half the price was surreal. It was our Christmas miracle.

Months later, our highly anticipated homecoming day arrived. It was our first long-haul flight with Cebu Pacific, so I have been telling myself not to expect too much from a budget airline. I know, it will be totally different from our previous airplane rides. After all, we always get what we pay for.

Cebu Pacific aircraft at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila 

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Coron: A Treasure Trove of Natural Beauty

Now that we are about to welcome the last quarter of 2013, our homecoming plan for next year is already brewing. Having a home country with 7,107 beautiful islands is also having 7,107 or more getaway options! "Which island shall we explore?" has always been the big question. Since I'm always OC and too ecstatic when it comes to 'escape plans', I am already doing some major research. 

I have been browsing the archive of Cebu Pacific's inflight magazine, and I stumbled upon a very interesting article about Coron in Smile magazine's December 2012 issue. I have always longed to visit Palawan; to travel to Puerto Princesa and see the Underground River, but the Coron's Jewels article makes me want to fly to Busuanga instead!

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More Flights! More Fun!

Since 1996, the Philippines' leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific, has been offering affordable flights and has made air travel possible for everyone. It has changed the Filipino's perception about traveling as CEB's seat sales have made budget vacations possible. With Cebu Pacific every Juan can fly! 

Cebu Pacific continues to grow as it has recently welcomed two Airbus A320 all the way from Toulouse, France! The A320 is equipped with fuel-saving sharklets and is one of the most modern fleets in the world. With the arrival of new aircrafts, additional domestic flights to the Philippines top tourist destinations were launched last August! 

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CEB's Maiden Flight to Phuket

One of the flight routes that I have been wishing and waiting for have just began! Last August 16, 2013, Cebu Pacific have launched direct flights between Manila and Phuket. Thailand's largest island is CEB's 21st international destination. During the maiden flight, the first passengers received a special send-off from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Prasas Prasasvinitchai, together with the Executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board, Hon. Carmelo Arcilla. 

photo source: www.cebusmile.com

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Juan for Fun!

Life may be tough and there may be challenges to face, but we can always get through the difficulties together. Strong teamwork and motivation, fun-loving attitude and positive outlook can help us succeed in life, as well as in Cebu Pacific's Juan for Fun Backpacking Challenge!

Juan for Fun Backpacking Challenge is a contest that will bring five teams of  three students to six local destinations in the Philippines for an all-expense paid adventure on August 27 to September 2, 2013. The challenge is to have the most number of fun activities within the duration of the trip with the given travel allowance. The teams have to document their fun adventure through photos and videos using their Canon point-and-shoot and video cameras; a gadget which was handed to them, along with official T-shirts, Wegner travel gear, Tablets powered by Sun broadband and travel allowance, during the send-off day.

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A Reason To Smile During Flights

I love airplane rides; the quick short-haul flights and even the long butt-numbing ones. I know some people who love going on vacations but hate the "travelling part"; bus, boat, train and airplane rides. Others may find it weird that I actually enjoy every minute of the flight (not the jet lag that comes after though). I'm not the kind of passenger who wishes that the aircraft would reach the destination sooner, not even the type who would rush outside the cabin once the pilot announces that the exit doors are open. 

How do I  make airplane rides worthwhile? Two words: In-flight Entertainment! I usually watch a movie or two and play video games, but the first thing I look for once I settled on my seat is the inflight magazine! I read it from cover to cover on the first half of my flight, and browse it again before arrival. Inflight magazines can magically take me to my dream destination and I also learn some travel tips while I am glued to my seat. 

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Who are the Lucky Juans?

It has been three months since Cebu Pacific launched 100 Lucky Juans, a fantastic contest for OFWs in the Middle East. There was an outpour of sentiments and creativity as 100 Dubai-Manila roundtrip tickets were up for grabs. But as they say, all good things must come to end, it is time to wrap up the 100 Lucky Juans competition.

Here are the Lucky Juans who will be flying home for free on October 7, 2013:
(list of winners from Cebu Pacific's Official Facebook Page)

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Millions Have Chosen Cebu Pacific

In the first half of 2013, 7.5 Million guests traveled via Cebu Pacific. Statistics have shown that Cebu Pacific's passengers have increased by 8% compared to the same period last year. The Philippines' leading budget airline had 9% growth  on its International routes and 7.5% growth on its Domestic routes. 

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Where in the world is CEB?

CEB is Cebu Pacific's official mascot. The lovable, well-travelled mascot has visited almost every tourist spot in the Philippines and in some Asian countries. Recently, CEB was sighted in the "City of Dreams" or the "City of Gold" or shall we call it "my second home". CEB was here in Dubai!

I'm pretty sure CEB had fun, I can tell it through through these photos:   

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Cebu Pacific Flies To Phuket!

There's always something new and exciting from Cebu Pacific every single day. I often wake up to big surprises on my news feed; seat sales just kept pouring in, along with unexpected new routes! Just when I thought that the announcement of Manila-Dubai flights was the biggest surprise for me this year, Cebu Pacific again blew me away with direct flights to my dream island destination, Phuket! 

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Cebu Pacific A330's Maiden Flight and Fascinating Facts

Cebu Pacific continues to fulfill its mission to give an affordable mode of travel to Filipinos worldwide! Cebu Pacific Air's A330 aka The Big Juan will not just bring Filipinos closer to Dubai, but to Korea and Singapore as well! CEB's Big Juan just had its inaugural flight to Seoul last July 4 and to Singapore last July 8, 2013. The passengers of the said flights were given special send-offs and freebies. The first inaugural flight passenger to check-in even received a Seoul-Manila round trip ticket! Lucky Juan!

Ever wonder how BIG the Big Juan is? Here are fun fascinating facts about 

Cebu Pacific's brand new airbus A330:

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100 Lucky Juans: Week 3 and 4 UWInners

The weather app on my phone tells me that it's a cruel summer day once again. Times like this make me want to pack my bags, head straight to the Philippines and feel the raindrops on my skin. In reality, I need to endure the summer heat for the next 3 months. Oh how I envy my kababayans in the UAE who are about to take their vacation, especially the 100 Lucky Juans who are going home for free, courtesy of Cebu Pacific! 

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The BIG Juan: Cebu Pacific's A330

I have always been fascinated with airplanes. When I was little, I would tilt my head up in the sky whenever I hear a whoosh sound. I would stargaze and look for blinking airplane navigation lights at night. Until now, I still get that rush feelings whenever I see one. It's a bucket of mixed emotions actually. It can sometimes be homesickness; the longing to be one of the passengers who are on their way home. It can also be euphoria; the giddy feeling whenever I think of my dream getaway or homecoming.  

Now, how would I feel when I see this big Airbus, bearing the Philippine Flag, in the skies of United Arab Emirates real soon?

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