The Philippines is a stunning archipelago made up of thousands of islands. While island hopping by boat is an adventure, taking domestic flights in the Philippines is usually the quickest way to explore this beautiful country.
In this guide, we'll explore the top domestic airlines in the Philippines, the country's major airports, and the advantages of flying domestically within the Philippines.
To find your perfect flight, simply use our search tool at the top of the page.
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands. Getting from one island to another by boat can take a long time. For example, a journey from Manila to Cebu, which could take around 24 hours by ferry, can be done in about an hour by plane.
Flying domestically within the Philippines is easy. Most airports are nicer than you'd expect, with places to eat, shops, and comfortable waiting areas. It's a lot less stressful than dealing with boats or buses. Plus, many flights go straight to your destination, so you don't have to worry about connecting flights or taking other transport. It’s a much smoother way to travel.
The Philippines has thousands of islands, and some of the best places are tucked away in quieter spots. Take Palawan, for example. It’s got stunning beaches and islands, but towns like El Nido are very popular. If you want to find quieter spots with crystal-clear waters and white sand, you’ll need to take a flight to smaller islands such as Busuanga. These places are real hidden gems, but they're hard to get to by boat.
Choosing a domestic airline in the Philippines depends on your needs. Some airlines offer full-service amenities, while others focus on affordable flights. Let’s take a look at each in detail.
Cebu Pacific is a Philippine-based airline operating as a low-cost carrier. Founded in 1988, it is the largest airline in the Philippines. The company provides domestic and international flights, serving multiple destinations in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the United States. Cebu Pacific is headquartered in Manila and operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft.
Domestic destinations: Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cauayan, Cotabato, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbiliaran, Tawi-Tawi, Tuguegarao, Virac, & Zamboanga.
The baggage policy with Cebu Pacific depends on your fare type:
It couldn't be easier to book Cebu Pacific domestic flights through Alternative Airlines. Start your search today using the form at the top of the page.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines. Founded in 1941, it operates domestic and international flights. PAL Express is a subsidiary airline offering primarily internal flights in the Philippines. Together, they serve numerous destinations within the Philippines and internationally. PAL is headquartered in Pasay City, Manila.
Domestic destinations: Angeles City, Bacolod, Basco, Bicol, Borongan, Busuanga (Coron), Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog City, Catarman, Caticlan, Cebu, Cotabato City, Davao, Del Carmen, Dipolog City, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Manila, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, San Jose, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tawi-Tawi, Tuguegarao, & Zamboanga.
PAL and PAL Express’ baggage policy is as follows:
Looking for Philippine Airlines domestic flights? Use the search form at the top of the page to find your desired route.
AirSWIFT is a domestic Philippine airline that primarily serves popular tourist destinations. Established in 2002 and rebranded in 2015, the airline offers scheduled and charter flights. It is part of the Ayala Corporation and also provides air transport services for its sister company, El Nido Resorts.
Domestic destinations: Bohol, Boracay, Busuanga (Coron), Cebu, Clark, El Nido, Manila, Romblon, & Sicogon.
AirSWIFT has a simple baggage policy:
Cebgo is a Philippine airline that focuses on domestic flights. It's part of the Cebu Pacific family of airlines. Cebgo uses smaller planes, mainly turboprops, to reach different places within the Philippines. They offer budget-friendly flights for people travelling around the country.
Domestic destinations: Bacolod City, Bicol, Busuanga (Coron), Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Calbayog City, Camiguin, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao City, Del Carmen, Dipolog City, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Manila, Masbate City, Naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, San Jose, San Vicente, Surigao City, Tacloban, Tawi-Tawi, & Zamboanga.
Here’s a breakdown of Cebgo’s baggage allowance for domestic flights:
Sunlight Air is a Philippine airline that began flying passengers in late 2020. It operates domestic flights, mainly from Clark International Airport to various island destinations. The airline is part of the Sunlight Hotels and Resorts group, offering combined flight and accommodation packages. Sunlight Air uses ATR 72-500 aircraft for its flights.
Domestic destinations: Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cebu, Clar, Iloilo, Manila, Naga, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, & Siargao.
Here’s the baggage allowance when flying Sunlight Air:
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the main airport serving Manila in the Philippines. It's a busy hub for both domestic and international flights. While it handles a large volume of passengers, the airport has been known for congestion and older facilities.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the main gateway to the Central Visayas region in the Philippines. It's located on Mactan Island and handles both international and internal Philippines flights. As the second busiest airport in the country, it's a major hub for travel to and from Cebu.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as Davao International Airport, is the main airport serving Davao City and the Davao region in the Philippines. It's the busiest airport on the island of Mindanao and the third busiest in the entire country.
Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, also known as Caticlan or Boracay Airport, serves the popular tourist destination of Boracay in the Philippines. It's a busy airport, handling millions of passengers yearly. While smaller than other major Philippine airports, it offers domestic and international flights connecting to various destinations.
Almost every time you leave an airport in the Philippines you’ll need to pay an exit fee. This is usually around $15USD (850PHP).
Be aware that flight routes are skewed towards Manila, as well as Cebu, although to a lesser extent. If you want to fly between other cities, you might need to purchase two tickets and transfer through one of those hubs.
If you plan on travelling throughout the Philippines during a Christian holiday, including Christmas and Easter, expect the fares to go up. You will need to plan ahead, especially if you need to head out of big cities to reach the airport, as the transport system can become strained.
From July to December, typhoons and other adverse weather conditions can often ground planes. Expect flight delays in the Philippines. Try to avoid planning too tight a schedule for connecting flights.
It couldn’t be easier to book internal Philippines flights with Alternative Airlines. We offer 40+ payment methods, including the Philippine Peso.
You can also pay using cryptocurrencies, or choose Buy Now, Pay Later plans to spread the cost of your flights.
Use our search form at the top of the page and start your search for flights to the Philippines.
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Several airlines operate domestic flights within the Philippines. The main carriers include Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Philippines AirAsia, Airswift, Cebgo, and Sunlight Air.
You will need a valid government-issued ID with your photo, complete name, and signature. Accepted IDs include a passport, driver's licence, SSS card, GSIS card, or UMID card. While a passport is valid, an additional ID may be required.
Yes, foreigners typically need a passport for domestic travel within the Philippines. While some airports may accept other forms of ID, having a passport is generally the safest and most reliable option.
In our opinion, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Philippines AirAsia are the top three airlines in the Philippines.
