Philippine Airlines flight to San Francisco

First-Time Journey to the US: Flying with Philippine Airlines

Traveling to the US for the first time is always a mix of excitement and nerves, but doing it with my mom made it all the more special. From the anticipation of flying across the Pacific with Philippine Airlines to the long hours in the air, this trip was more than just a journey—it was an adventure full of firsts. We were eager to experience everything, from the thrill of stepping onto American soil to navigating the challenges of long-haul travel together. This is the story of our first journey to the US: the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

My NAIA Terminal 1 Experience:

Starting my journey at Terminal 1 was surprisingly smooth during check-in, but I quickly realized there weren’t many dining options available. I ended up grabbing a Nutella snack with some spare coins. A quick meal of beef steak set me back 240PHP, but in hindsight, I should have opted for Arroz Caldo for only 150PHP. My mom got a Pesto Pasta.

Waiting Game and the Overhead Bin Struggle

After spending more than two hours at the boarding gate, we finally boarded. Unfortunately, no assistance was offered for storing luggage in the overhead bins, which were already full because some inconsiderate passengers had placed their bags in the wrong spots. Handling heavy bags alone was a challenge.

Legroom Seat Review

We had booked a legroom seat, which came with its own set of pros and cons:

Pros:

- Ample space, making it easier to get comfortable.

- Even though it was a middle seat, getting up was much easier.

- You can place your hand-carry bags in front after takeoff and rest your feet on them.

Cons:

- The seat was expensive.

- People constantly passed through our row, seemingly unaware that we had paid extra for these seats.

- Located near the toilets, which unfortunately carried a smell.

Service Woes

When I asked for a hot chocolate, the flight attendant said she would make it but came back 20 minutes later, only after serving other guests. She handed it to me without a word, and the same happened when I asked for sugar.

We also missed out on the sandwich snack because we were asleep, and when we asked for it, we were told they would check if any were left. Shouldn't there be enough for every passenger?

Onboard Cleanliness

The toilet was a mess, with toilet paper everywhere and floors wet with urine—a disappointing sight for any passenger.

Customs Chaos

Arriving at our destination was another ordeal. Customs and border protection were understaffed, with only three windows open for over a thousand passengers. We landed at 8:30 p.m. and didn’t get out of the airport until 11:30 p.m., finally making it home around midnight.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the only highlight was finally watching Lisa Frankenstein on the plane. (I wanted to watch this for a long time now because of Liza Soberano. And of course, Cole Sprouse!) Overall, this experience taught me a lot about patience—and maybe a little more about the importance of being prepared for anything when traveling.

Follow more for my month-long journey to the US!