Peak air travel reminders for Holy Week 2025

Air travelers bound for Holy Week getaways are urged to review key airport reminders ahead of the peak travel period, including updated terminal assignments, earlier call times, and digital check-in options to help ensure a smooth and timely departure. To help flyers prepare, Cebu Pacific shares the following reminders with The Manila Times Lifestyle:

1. Check the airport terminal assignment of your flight. Before heading to the airport, passengers should check their flight number and terminal assignment. Cebu Pacific flights (5J) use larger jets and operate via NAIA Terminal 3. AirSWIFT flights (T6) and most Cebgo flights (DG), which use smaller turboprop aircraft, operate via NAIA Terminal 2. However, as of March 30, DG flights from Manila to Siargao and Masbate have been moved to Clark International Airport.

2. Be on time at the airport. Allow extra time when traveling to the airport due to heavier traffic during peak seasons. Arrive at least three hours before departure for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. Check-in for Dubai flights opens seven hours before departure. Check-in counters close 45 minutes before domestic flights and one hour before international flights. Boarding begins 45 minutes before departure; proceed to immigration and final security immediately after check-in to avoid delays.

3. Check in online. To avoid long lines, check in online via the official CEB mobile app or the Manage Booking section of the website, available from 48 hours up to one hour before departure for domestic flights and up to two hours for international flights. Domestic passengers without check-in baggage may enter NAIA Terminal 3 through Gate 1 and proceed directly to the boarding gates using a digital boarding pass. Check-in counters at Terminal 3 are located at Aisles A and B, with Counters A1 to A15 for online check-in and A17 to A29 and B1 to B15 for regular check-in.

4. Accomplish eTravel forms for international trips. For international trips, complete or update the eTravel form at www.etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before departure and arrival in the Philippines. For roundtrip international flights, complete the eTravel form twice — once for the departure flight, and again for the arrival flight. A Customs Declaration Form must also be completed before arrival.

5. Baggage policy. Each passenger may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item with a combined weight of 7 kg or less. Oversized or overweight bags will be charged at the boarding gate.

Prepaid baggage is available online via the CEB website or mobile app at lower rates, with options to check up to three 20 kg pieces, each with an additional 4 kg, 8 kg, or 12 kg allowance. Extra baggage may be purchased online up to two hours before departure.

6. Self-tag luggage for select domestic destinations. Passengers flying out of select domestic destinations (Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Coron, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Zamboanga) are reminded to self-tag their check-in luggage at the designated kiosks at the airport, prior to proceeding to counters for bag drops. Self-bag drop kiosks are also available at NAIA Terminal 3 and Clark International Airport.