I’ve always wanted to be on inaugural flights, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been a part of AirAsia Philippines‘ inaugural flight to Roxas City, Capiz on June 16, 2022. This is my second time on an AirAsia inaugural flight, and please allow me to share my experience with you.
AirAsia Philippines operates three weekly flights between Manila and Roxas City, Capiz, as flight Z2343, departing Manila at 7:15 a.m. The flight time is only 1 hour 15 minutes, making it a relatively short flight.
The aircraft, Airbus A320-214 with registry RP-C8979
Our aircraft will be an Airbus A320-214 with the registration RP-C8979. The aircraft is leased from GECAS and previously served Aeroflot as OE-IFQ from 2007 to 2017. In August 2017, it was leased by AirAsia Philippines and re-registered as RP-C8979.
The aircraft is configured with 180 all-economy seats.
AirAsia Philippines now allegedly has 9 aircraft in its fleet, all of which are A320ceos. However, Airfleets data shows that the airline has 13 aircraft in the active fleet.
AirAsia Philippines, on the other hand, hopes to replace their A320s with newer, more efficient A321neos beginning in 2023. I hope so as well.
Boarding
Domestic flights operated by AirAsia Philippines depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4, formerly known as the Manila Domestic Terminal. I have two things to say. The good news is that you won’t have to walk far. Everything is close by. The disadvantage is that during peak season, the waiting area can become extremely crowded. In any case, there are places where you can eat and charge your phone while you wait.
AirAsia’s international flights from Manila though depart from the NAIA terminal 3. Please do take-note of that.
The check-in process for AirAsia Philippines is simple: you can either do online check-in via their Super App or use the check-in kiosks located throughout the terminal. If you have checked-in luggage, you must queue at the bag drop area. I always recommend doing online check-in, but make sure you arrive at your boarding gate ahead of time.
Again, the advantage of terminal 4 is that you don’t have to walk far. If your plane is parked far away, you will almost certainly be bussed there.
The flight from Manila to Roxas
As is customary, I need a window seat because I vlog the entire flight, which you can see below. We were on time. They were refueling while boarding, which is perfectly normal and permitted by civil aviation organizations as long as all safety procedures are followed. Crew at all stations, fasten your seatbelts.
We boarded quickly and taxied from NAIA terminal 4 to RW31 for our flight to Roxas City. We were fortunate not to have to wait too long. There were no other planes ahead of us.
Because the aircraft was an Airbus A320ceo, or “Current Engine Option,” it was outfitted with CFM56 engines. These turbofans are extremely durable and have stood the test of time. Other planes powered by them include the Boeing 737NG and the Airbus A340. During takeoff, I enjoyed the classic CFM56 whine.
The flight was flawless throughout, and since it was the inaugural or maiden flight, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla was on board. To commemorate this milestone for AirAsia, he gave a welcome speech to all passengers. We were also given freebies such as caps and notepads. Of course, we were given light snacks like a tuna bun and a probiotic drink.
Please request a probiotic drink if you are flying with AirAsia Philippines. Of course, you may be required to pay for it.
It was a very peaceful flight all the way, thanks to clear skies.
The cabin crew were familiar faces
Two of our flight’s four cabin crew members are familiar names and faces. Mhea Salvador, the crew’s leader, and Ziah De Jesus are pictured. It was wonderful to see them as we boarded, but it was an honor to be their passengers on this inaugural flight.
I appreciated the fact that they always served with a smile and said hello whenever they passed by my seat. However, what stands out about them is their professionalism in serving and attending to their passengers’ needs. Mhea is a hands-on leader who ensures her team provides efficient in-flight services.
Landing at Roxas City for the first time
I’m sure it was a timeless moment when that AirAsia A320 touched down for the first time in Roxas City. I felt so proud from inside the plane, and I did get goosebumps knowing I was on a maiden flight. The landing was very smooth, and after taxiing to the terminal, we were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, as is customary for every maiden flight.
After deplaning, the mood was festive as we attended a small ceremony to commemorate this special milestone in the Philippines’ Seafood Capital.
AirAsia has always been known for making every flight enjoyable. On board, they’ve always been in a “light but happy” mood. I adore how their cabin crew is authentic while maintaining a professional demeanor. They have a lot of smiles and, yes, they are very attractive.
To book an AirAsia Philippines flight from Manila to Roxas City, please do visit their website at https://airasia.com or you may download the airasia Super App for more deals and to personalize your travel experience.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
