From: www.atr.fr
Picture of Cebu Pacific ATR 72-500 by Laurent of airliners.net (seen here as he lands in Toulouse during one of the test flights)
Configuration of Cebu Pacific's ATR 72-500
I have just arrived from the airport and still excited about my flight. This is not actually about my travel destination but basically a flight report on ATR 72-500 of Cebu Pacific, the first time I flew on one! And this is also my first time to write an authentic flight report. That means I flew just for the heck of it!
Here we go!
5J405
Cebu Pacific
Date: 16 June 2008
Dep: Laoag International (LAO)
Gate: Monogate
Boarding Time: 1920
Dep Time: 1955 scheduled, 1957 actual
Load: 100%
Seat: 19D/16
Class: Economy
Aircraft: ATR 72-500
Aircraft Registration Number: RP-7251
Weather during take off: Broken Clouds
Arr: Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)
Gate: Monogate
Arr Time: 2115 scheduled, 2115 actual
Weather during landing: Broken clouds, scattered rain shower
I have been stressed out (this is an understatement) for the past weeks and I felt I needed a break. Sure, for me, that "break" means flying or going to a new place or a combination of both depending on my tight budget (always on a tight budget, lol!)
I was choosing between flying to Laoag City and experience the new ATR 72-500 of Cebu Pacific and do a quick side trip to Abra and Ilocos Sur or to Iloilo City which I have never visited yet and fly with Philippine Airlines' Airbus 320 (which I have flown a couple of times) to see the new and nice airport. I chose the former.
Due to lack of time and non-availability of seats going to Laoag Airport with Cebu Pacific, me and my sister decided to take the bus. I don't really like to travel by bus unless I am traveling to a new place and there are new things to see along the way. For me traveling to a new place is as important as the flight experience. And since I am always on a tight budget, I try to squeeze in those desired 'flights' into my travel itineraries thus resulting to a less comfortable accommodation or mediocre food. I don't mind though. I always rough it.
The bus ride (10 hours) was surprisingly nice because it only had one stop which was Pangasinan. Usually, the regular air-conditioned buses that ply the route stop in every province.
There were bunch of European youngsters on board and I asked one of them (in French) if they're French and one of the ladies said yes. And they're going to Ilocos. Would be nice to practise my French with them. Oh well, too bad I did not get their email addies.
Anyway, after 2 days in Ilocos Region (yeah, that's quick), I had to return back to Manila. So I should go to Laoag City and fly from there. This would be the fastest way to get to Manila because Laoag is only an hour away (depends on the aircraft used) by plane. The thing is, going to Laoag City from where I was is way too complicated. I had to take the jeep to go the capital and from there to Narvacan (Ilocos Sur), another bus ride; and again took a bus from Narvacan to Laoag via Vigan. From the Farinas bus station in Laoag, I rented a tricycle for 100 pesos going to the airport. But if you have the time and willing to walk for some distance, take the jeepney going to Gabu. The (broken) trip took some 4 hours.
The good side is: I was able to fly!
Laoag International Airport
This airport is the northernmost international airport in the Philippines by geographical location. It has a 2,420-meter runway and is considered as an alternative/secondary international airport by the Philippine Air Transportation Office.
Well, the airport terminal is far cry from the international standards for an international airport. It really needs improvement. But the airport staff were all friendly though. I would not mind using it again.
Check-in
I arrived early. There was no queue at check-in at Cebu Pacific desk. The agent was efficient. I requested for the window seat on the last row. I got it.
Boarding
I should have had plenty of time to watch takeoffs and landings. But no. Only Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines would land at that time of the day and Laoag Airport is not really a plane spotters' favorite. I had some snack because I knew the thing with budget airlines )no free meal or no meal at all!). I was amongst the first into gate, settled in until the aircraft was ready for boarding. Boarding was efficient and took place fairly quickly. The flight attendants were professional enough. Before boarding the aircraft, I tried to snap some photos but it did not work. They came out dark. Too bad. No aerobridge was used so we had to climb up the stairs to get to the aircraft. Anyway, right before I got in, I gave some pat on the aircraft rear door for taking me to my destination. Then the beautiful flight stewardess greeted me courteously with a smile. What a nice welcome.
And when I got in, yayyyy! The aircraft still has the smell of new! This is a spanking bran new aircraft! The blue/green leather seats looked good. Anyway, I have been following its delivery from Europe to Manila and now I could not believe I was to fly on it! The aircraft was spotless and immaculately clean! Besides it was my first time fly on an ATR 72-500 so I got excited even more.
The take off
I noticed that the ATR 72-500 had a short takeoff roll. It was smooth and quiet yet a powerful take off, even on climb out. It has to be one of the smoothest take-offs I have had. It's a peaceful and serene aircraft to enjoy a flight on.
The flight
The flight was short at only a little bit longer than an hour. Strangely there was no service on board. I mean, no food whatsoever. The flight was 1.25 hours and I was expecting some free drinks. I have flown with Cebu Pacific going to Hong Kong and back and on both legs, drinks were provided for free but other items such as the sandwiches or cheesecakes were sold for a small fee. Anyway, maybe this is the thing with their domestic flights. I'm not complaining though.
5J ATR 72-500 aircraft is configured in a 4 abreast Y class (2-2). I found the seat width to be adequate in every way. It was one of the most spacious short haul Y seats and leg rooms I'd ever been in, which as someone 5'10" is nice. My flight was 100% full. No IFE system.
Aside from occasional turbulence near Manila, the flight was pretty smooth.
When we were 92 nautical miles to Manila, the captain made some announcement about the weather in Manila and the estimated time of arrival. He also welcomed us to the city.
Landing
Landing was also smooth. And this has got to be the best aerial view of Manila I had so far.
Baggage claim at the domestic terminal was OK. But the only thing that I did not understand was why would the guards collect the terminal fee receipt before the passengers go out (and I think also the carry-on tag given by Cebu Pacific). Hey, that's for my collection!
Conclusion: ATR has already landed on my favourite aircraft list! I enjoyed the flight and hope to fly on it again. And kodus to the pilots!
Anyway, hopped a cab and to office I went. :)
Here are some photos of my journey:
Abra road
A ricefield in Abra
Tobacco plantation in Abra
Ilocos Sur-Abra boundary
This is the "Junction" )or the locals would simply call: "Diangsiyon") in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. I got off here to take a bus going to Vigan and Laoag. This direction is going to Manila.
Going to Abra
Going to Vigan and Laoag
Inside the Farinas Bus going to Laoag via Vigan. This is a scenic road but due to my proximity to both seat mates (left and right), taking photos was impossible and I had no way to hold the camera steady enough.
Tobacco plantation in Ilocos Norte
Tricycle ride going to the airport..........
The entrance (Laoag International Airport). Not so "international". The trouble is that there's no public transportation to and from the airport. Yeah, there is a jeepney but you have to walk to get to the terminal itself, and it not that near. It's either you have a car or rent a trike.
Check-in counter of Cebu Pacific (right) and ticketing office of Philippine Airlines (left)
Pre-departure area (you have to be at the centre because the farther right or left you go, the hotter it gets because the air-conditioning system is only focused on the centre)
Airbus 320 of Philippine Airlines (registration number: RP-8609) arriving from Manila at 1825; when it took off, the ATR of Cebu Pacific landed.
Interior of the Cebu Pacific ATR 72-500! I don't like the green/blue combination but the cleanliness of the aircraft and its smell made it up for me. I must tell though that Cebu Pacific's livery has got one of the worst colour schemes around.
The safety card. The lady sitting beside me was wondering why I was taking all these pictures. She could have thought it was my first flight ever! Lol
I like the boarding pass though
Leg room (not bad for a small plane). Nice surprise!
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