Cebu Pacific's Maiden Voyage from Dubai to Manila

When I was a kid, I dreamed of riding an airplane. Whenever I see a plane in the sky I wish that I was on that plane. Imagine me waving at an airplane in the sky, a thousand feet above me, like a girl lost on an island, screaming for the plane to come down and get me. It is fun silly and all the kids my age are doing the same.

When I flew to Dubai in December 2002, that dream came true. I was thrilled to take the plane ride. At the boarding gate, I can’t wait to get into my seat and for the plane to be airborne.  After several years and several vacations in the Philippines, I am still ecstatic to ride a plane. It gives me a different high. My first plane was Cathay Pacific, the second was Emirates Airlines and I have also tried Malaysian Airlines, among these three, Emirates Airlines has given me the best flight experience ever.

Emirates Airlines is the only carrier that offers straight flights from Dubai to Manila but during the peak seasons like Christmas and New Year or Graduation time in March and April, seats are scarce and prices are skyrocketing. You need to book as early as March if you plan to go for the yuletide holidays and get the fare right for your budget. Another airline that flies straight to Manila is Etihad Airlines but people in Dubai still need to travel to Abu Dhabi to take that plane. Fly Dubai is the budget carrier of the UAE that flies to many destinations but unfortunately Manila is not one of them. When the news came out that Cebu Pacific will start providing long-haul budget flights from Dubai to Manila, everyone in the Middle East was rejoicing.

Cebu Pacific, the largest national flag carrier of the Philippines is offering the lowest year-round Lite Fares for its destinations. There are 34 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Davao.  It can take you anywhere in the Philippines sometimes for as low as 1 peso with their Piso Seat promos. The launch of international flights in 2001 gave a chance for  Filipinos to travel abroad for shopping and sightseeing in places like Bangkok, Bali, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Xiamen where Cebu Pacific flies.  Their year-round Lite Fares is also one of the reasons why many Filipinos are able to see more of the Philippines with style as it is the first local airline to introduce e-ticketing, pre-paid excess baggage, and seat selection. Flying with Cebu Pacific can be fun with its on-board games and their Smile In-flight Magazine is a charmer. 

Cebu Pacific is taking this wonderful flying experience to a higher level as they introduce Dubai as their first long-haul destination. It will cater to 700,000 Filipinos living and working in the UAE and it is also a welcome relief for over 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East. Having a budget airline carrier to fly to the Philippines on a straight flight means more family time, more island hopping time, and more fun time.  I used to say to a Lebanese colleague, that if the only Philippines is as near to Lebanon as Dubai and the fares are much more affordable, I will come home more often and probably I’ll be in the Philippines for all the fiestas, birthdays, weddings, baptisms, graduation, reunions, lent, Christmas and New year and maybe even on November 1. With Cebu Pacific's ticket prices of AED 499 or PHP 6,999 one way (Dubai to Manila), you will surely never miss any important occasion with your family anymore. Your flight experience will also never be the same again because Cebu Pacific's international flights offer pre-ordered Hot Meals with our all-Pinoy favorite Beef Caldereta (Filipino beef stew), Bistek Tagalog (beef chuck cooked in lemon and spices) and Chicken Adobo. In-flight Wi-Fi will also be available and not just that, you can also go shopping for fun and luxurious products such as cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, toys, chocolates, and liquor on its on-board Duty-Free store so pasalubong (presents) is not a problem.

This baby is Cebu Pacific’s newest fleet member. A brand new 436-seat Airbus A330-300 will soon be ready and will be used for its Dubai-Philippines flight. Eight of these airplanes will be leased to serve Dubai initially then after other destinations like Europe, the US, and Australia as Cebu Pacific plans to expand its long-haul flights.

Cebu Pacific's maiden flight from Dubai to Manila is on October 7 and they are giving away free 100 return tickets to 100 Filipinos in the UAE to take their first flight. Joining is simple just LIKE their Facebook page and look for 100 Lucky Juans promos to enter the contest; which runs from 13th May to 18^th August. 

This is a sponsored post by Cebu Pacific