Manila to Kaohsiung Inaugural Flight Onboard Cebu Pacific

On August 16, Cebu Pacific launched its inaugural flight between Manila and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The airline will serve this route three times a week, and hopefully, this frequency will increase as more people discover the charm of southern Taiwan. I was fortunate enough to be on this maiden flight, 5J344, from Manila to Kaohsiung, and I’m excited to share my experience of being part of an international inaugural flight.

Cebu Pacific is currently offering a promo for their Manila to Kaohsiung route. You can fly one-way for as low as PhP 1,288, with this promotion running from August 16 to August 25, and travel valid until January 31, 2025. Notably, Cebu Pacific is the only Philippine airline flying directly to Kaohsiung, though Philippine Airlines offers flights via its code-share partner, China Airlines.

Airport Experience

Checking in and heading to the boarding gate was a breeze, though we did spend some time at immigration. Traveling with a group helped smooth the process, as immigration tends to ask more questions when you’re traveling solo. They asked about my work, my purpose for visiting Taiwan, and the details of my return trip.

At the boarding gate, there was a celebratory event to mark the inaugural flight. The setup included free snacks with a Taiwanese twist, a photo wall, and decorations that gave a taste of Taiwan. The program was brief but included speeches from key figures like Cebu Pacific’s head of corporate affairs, Mr. Michael Shau, Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, and Civil Aeronautics Board Director Carmelo Arcilla. It was nice to see Secretary Bautista again; the last time I saw him was in 2019 when he was still the president of PAL.

Following the speeches and a cake-cutting ceremony, we were sent off by the cheerful Cebu Pacific ground staff, who checked our boarding passes and passports with big smiles. They even handed out souvenir items to commemorate the flight.

The Flight – 5J344

The aircraft for our flight was an Airbus A320-214, registered as RP-C4102, which has been in service with Cebu Pacific since January 2015. Despite being nine years old, the cabin was well-maintained, with no visible signs of wear and tear. The tray tables were slightly misaligned when opened, but it wasn’t a significant issue.

Before our flight, the aircraft had already completed six legs for the day, including flights between Manila, Laoag, Cebu, and Caticlan. Our scheduled departure was 5:15 pm, but we ended up leaving Manila at 5:45 pm. For me, a delayed departure isn’t a big deal—what matters more is the arrival time.

Inflight Meals and Services

The flight encountered some turbulence due to a nearby low-pressure area. As a safety precaution, the fasten seatbelt sign remained on longer than usual after takeoff. Once it was switched off, the cabin crew promptly began the food and beverage service. I had pre-ordered a Grilled Chicken Wrap, one of my favorites, which was tasty and filling. The meal, priced at PhP 200, can be pre-ordered when booking your flight.

Due to the earlier turbulence, the cabin crew had to start the fun games right after the meal service. The questions were all related to UNICEF and children, with small prizes for the winners. However, these games are only conducted during certain flights—usually not during early morning or late evening flights when passengers might be sleeping.

The cabin crew also collected donations for UNICEF and then went around to collect trash, adhering to Cebu Pacific’s sustainability efforts by properly segregating waste.

Soon, we began our descent into Kaohsiung International Airport. The landing was smooth despite the rain. There was even a water cannon salute, although it wasn’t very visible from the window due to the weather. We touched down at 7:06 pm, ahead of the scheduled 7:15 pm arrival time, making the flight duration just 1 hour and 24 minutes.

The festive atmosphere among the cabin crew highlighted the special nature of this flight. Although I was tempted to start a round of applause upon landing, I hesitated. Still, the mood on board was one of celebration.

The Verdict

Cebu Pacific delivered an excellent experience on this inaugural flight. The check-in process was quick, the staff were friendly and professional, and the cabin crew were enthusiastic and well-organized. The flight itself was smooth, and the pilot kept us informed throughout. For a budget airline, Cebu Pacific offers great value for money, especially with the level of service and comfort provided.

Traveling from Manila to Kaohsiung is relatively quick, comparable to a domestic flight to Davao. The overall experience was enjoyable, and I’m excited to see Cebu Pacific continue to improve its services. Thank you, Cebu Pacific, for another fantastic flight!

Here is my full review vlog: