Fly to Manila

It's a pity that Manila is often disparaged, as there's much here to like. Frustrating and fascinating in roughly equal measure, Manila’s chaotic sprawl encompasses many formerly separate towns each with their own character – from the air-conditioned malls of Makati to the markets of Chinatown.

The country has suffered a string of invasions from the Spanish, the Americans and the Japanese but all of which have served to make its population more resilient. You would be pushed to find people more good-humoured and friendly than Filipinos.

There are a wide range of things to do in Manila, whether you are an outdoor adventurer, a party-goer or shopper.

The Intramuros district's fort and cathedral hint at the city's grandeur before the devastation of the Second World War. The small island of Corregidor, now popular with day-trippers, was the site of the US Army's last stand against the Japanese invasion in 1941.



Go for jungle walks in the tropical forest resort of Hidden Valley or visit San Agustin Church, Manila's oldest stone church. Spend at least a day in the huge Mall of Asia at Roxas Boulevard, which includes a science museum and a whole building devoted to entertainment.

Manila also has some of the best nightlife in the region, from local rock concerts to exclusive nightclubs. Malate district is one of the most famous areas to visit, as are Makati and Global City in the Greenbelt and Bonifacio High Street malls respectively.

Fly from London

On your departing flight from London to Manila you might get a glimpse of the meandering River Thames, which bisects London city in two.

The Thames Towpath allows you to explore the dynamic centre with its galleries, cinemas and theatres, as well as the greener western parts of the city - not forgetting the intriguing east, the prettiest part of which is historic Greenwich.

London is one of the most exciting and culturally rich cities in the world. At first, you may be daunted by its size, but bear in mind that locals see London as a patchwork of small communities, some almost village-like in scale and atmosphere.

London is a shopper's paradise, with venerable department stores alongside funky boutiques. A rich mix of ethnicities ensures you can tuck into any type of cuisine. The city's green spaces are second to none, from royal parks to leafy canal walks.



Pretty, cobbled Covent Garden is at the geographical heart of London. The Piazza features street entertainment, cafés and bars, and the surrounding streets are great for alternative shopping opportunities.

To the west of the city, affluent Richmond feels like a county town. Highlights are Ham House, river walks and Richmond Park, with its ancient trees and herds of red and fallow deer.

The city has a wealth of wonderful galleries, from the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square to a host of commercial spaces with challenging contemporary art and photography.

Plan your itinerary carefully before setting off on flights to Manila from London as London's attractions are inexhaustible, whether you're a culture vulture, history buff, sports fan - or if you're trying to keep kids occupied. One of the greatest city pleasures is getting around, from a double-decker bus ride to a river trip.

Manila Airport

On flights to Manila from London, you will take off from Terminal 1 of the four terminals at Manila Airport, which is officially known as Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The airport is one of two international airports serving the Metro Manila area and is the main international gateway to the Philippines.

Manila Airport is located along the border between Pasay City and Parañaque City, about seven kilometres south of Manila proper, and southwest of Makati City's Central Business District.

In 2009, the airport handled 24.1 million passengers, making it the 48th busiest airport in the world.

Etihad Airways Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class passengers can make use of the facilities in the PAGSTOP Lounge

• Airport Code - MNL
• Airport Name - Ninoy Aquino Intl
• City - Manila
• Country - Philippines
• Country Abbrev - PH
• Time Zone - GMT +8
• Telephone +63 833-1180

London Airport

When you take off from London Airport on flights to Manila from London, you will quickly realize why this is the world’s busiest international airport and the hub of the civil aviation world. Officially known as Heathrow AIrport, it is not to be mistaken with London Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest international airport.

Over 67 million passengers travel through Heathrow Airport annually on flights offered by 90 airlines travelling to over 180 destinations in over 90 countries.

By the time Heathrow celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006, it had handled around 1.4 billion passengers on over 14 million flights.

The start of operations at Terminal 5 in March 2008 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Heathrow. Be sure to check which Terminal you are leaving from on flights from London's Heathrow Airport as it takes some time to travel between them.

Look out for the dedicated Etihad Airways Diamond First and Pearl Business Class Lounge at Heathrow.

• Airport Code - LHR
• Airport Name - London Heathrow
• City - London
• Country - United Kingdom
• Country Abbrev - GB
• Time Zone - GMT +0
• Telephone +44 (0) 8700 00 0698