Flying AirAsia from Manila to Shanghai

I've been to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan but never in mainland China. This year, AirAsia Zest ticked one item off my bucket list and flew me to Shanghai, the largest Chinese city by population and the largest city proper in the world.

 

I heard so many good things about Shanghai and why this Chinese city is drawing more and more tourists from around the world. So when I learned that AirAsia Zest is bringing me to Shanghai, I was stoked! So I applied right away for a tourist VISA to China at the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines which is located at the 2nd Floor of the World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, in Makati.

   

So if you plan to go to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai or any city in mainland China, CLICK HERE to know the steps in acquiring a Chinese tourist VISA.

Since I applied for single entry, I paid P1,400 processing fee and after 3 working days, I claimed my VISA! If you opt for multiple entry in case you plan to explore other cities like Beijing or Guangzhou, the charge is P2,800 and it's valid for 6 months. The scheduled departure of my flight to Shanghai was 8:15pm of September 23 so as early as 6:00pm, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 4, formerly known as Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal. Aside from Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur and all domestic flights of AirAsia Zest are located here (Terminal 4) while flights to/from Kota Kinabalu, Macau and Seoul (Incheon) are now being served at NAIA Terminal 3 since September 15, 2014.

  

 First thing I did at the airport was to pay for the P1,620.00 travel tax. Here are the current Travel Tax Rates:

  

 The next step I did was to check-in my luggage. As you can see below there are two lines. The one on the left is for those who were able to check-in via mobile and website while the one on the right is the usual counter check-in.

   

 Of course, the line on the left is way faster so I suggest you download the AirAsia app on your mobile or visit www.airasia.com for web check-in. Just enter your booking number, last name, mobile number for barcode delivery and you're done!


As for me, I downloaded the AirAsia app that's why I was able to secure a window seat. Aside from being able to check-in, you can also manage your booking, search for lowest fares, find great hotel deals, know your flight status, ask customer care, and read some travel guides via this cool mobile app. After checking in my luggage, it's time to pay for the terminal fee:

   

 Then I proceed to the immigration to have my passport stamped.

   

 At around 7:45pm, it's boarding time! A shuttle bus took all the passengers to the plane.

 

 

 It only took around 15 minutes for all the passengers to board inside the plane and find their seats with the help of the friendly flight attendants.

   

 The female flight attendants are wearing the chick red uniform while the male flight attendants are wearing black.

  

 After all the passengers are seated (i have all the lane of three seats to myself by the way), the female flight attendants started the pre-flight safety demonstration.

  

 The aircraft took off at around 8:20pm. After the seatbelt sign was turned off, flight attendants started to distribute inflight food and beverage.

For my dinner, I chose Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice with strawberry yogurt for dessert. A certified bestseller, the meal is dubbed as an Asian favorite. The fluppy seasoned rice served with roast chicken accompanied by Uncle Chin's special secret chilli, ginger and garlic sauce was delectable!

    

 Aside from Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice, other available inflight meals include the Nasi Goreng, Nasi Kuning Manado, Roast Chicken with Blackpepper Sauce, Chicken Mayo Apple Sandwich, and more!

   

Here's a tip: When you prebook your meals online prior to your flight, you'll get priority service, more choices and 20% discount! At around 10:30pm, we arrived at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. Thanks Mr. Pilot for the smooth flight. We are actually 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Two flight attendants greeted us good night as we alight the plane.

 

I breezed through immigration, claimed my luggage and rode a taxi outside the airport going to The Bund Riverside Hotel, my home in Shanghai for 5 days. And since my hotel is located at the Bund, here's my very first snap of Shanghai's skyline:

   

As for my next update, I will blog about my adventures in Shanghai! AirAsia Zest, by the way, flies daily from Manila to Shanghai. For bookings and other details, visit visit www.airasia.com. And to get updated with the lowest fares to Shanghai and other AirAsia Zest's international destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Macau and Seoul (Incheon), like their official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines.

Cross-published in Starmometer.com

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Solaire Resort and Casino Unveils Its New Plane Livery #SkySolaire

Solaire Resort and Casino, the Philippines’ premier integrated resort, in partnership with Air Asia unveils a breakthrough branding project in the Philippines.  

Solaire again raises the bar as it wraps its brightly colored livery on Air Asia’s popular Airbus A320, which is scheduled to embark on its maiden flight this July.  Solaire is the first-ever consumer brand in the country to fully wrap and brand a commercial airline, with an underlying thrust of further promoting tourism in the Philippines and in greater Asia.  

This dynamic collaboration between Solaire and Air Asia represents another step forward in an on-going journey towards providing modern travel and leisure experiences for its customers, with a fresh new approach to their target market.  This partnership will facilitate more passenger and cargo traffic in both regional and domestic flights, and foster stronger trade, cultural and tourism ties within Asia.

“This milestone is a key undertaking between two passionate brands with entrepreneurial and dynamic mindsets. This unprecedented branding project in the Philippines may be taken as a "leadership statement," which attests to Solaire's strong growth momentum in the industry. Yes we are again raising the bar; this time we're taking it to the skies.” says Donato Almeda, Board Director of Solaire Resort and Casino.

Currently, Solaire’s brand colors are donned by just one airplane, but nothing is stopping them from further rolling out this innovative wrap on additional aircrafts in the future with broader partnership arrangements.  The campaign will continue until 2016 and it is envisioned that this high-impact ad in the sky will generate more hype and publicity as the partnership progresses.

Jasper Evangelista, Vice President of Brand & Marketing, Solaire Resort and Casino said, “This aircraft-branding campaign is a strategic branding initiative which would allow us to literally take our brand to greater heights. We have created amazing moments for our customers since Solaire launched last year, and now we’re aiming to further connect with our local & foreign guests and travellers by reinforcing our brand presence in the country’s airports. Sky Solaire will enable us to get immediate traction on this effort and even take it to a level all its own.”

In-line with Solaire’s “Create Your Moments" campaign, which highlights Solaire as the perfect place to create unforgettable memories, this fitting partnership with AirAsia, one of Asia’s leading and multi-awarded airlines in their category, harmoniously evokes the key thrusts of customer service, hospitality, and excitement for both their industries.  This marketing initiative is also primed to open up new revenue streams for both the integrated resort and the airline carrier.

AirAsia Philippines Chairman Maan Hontiveros said, “AirAsia Philippines is a sociable and innovative brand. We also take pride on our collaborative nature. This new livery demonstrates our creative approach to partnerships and marketing opportunities especially with companies that support our vision to grow tourism. We are thrilled to carry Solaire’s brand in the sky and on the grounds at the airports here and abroad extending to as far as our destinations in Malaysia, China and Korea.”

The Solaire experience is stamped with an unparalleled brand of service style, world-renowned Philippine hospitality, top-of-class luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options and impressive gaming facilities, which have all contributed to the way people people view resort casinos in Manila. Many have opted to extend their stay at the resort, to have simply grown to embrace the aspirational and stress-free lifestyle offered to them at Solaire. Solaire Resort and Casino clearly offers the utmost experience of comfort, elegance and luxury in the Philippines right now.

[Solaire Press Release]

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Flying to Kuala Lumpur Via Air Asia Zest

I've been to Kuala Lumpur 3 times already and for the first time last weekend, I was able to fly to the Malaysian capital courtesy of AirAsia Zest. Read on!

 
I was among the 3 selected bloggers from the Philippines invited to grace the Pyjama Party in Tune Hotels KLIA2 last Saturday, May 31. The celebration for the recent opening of the new Tune Hotels branch is scheduled at 6:00PM and I was provided with an AirAsia Zest flight ticket with a 6:00AM boarding time. As early as 4:30AM, I arrived at NAIA Terminal 4. While waiting in line at the immigration, I browsed some brochures about AirAsia and learned that aside from Kuala Lumpur, the world’s best low cost airline also flies from Manila to Macau, Shanghai, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and Incheon & Busan in South Korea. They also serve domestic flights like Manila to Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Davao, Cebu, Tacloban and Tagbilaran (Bohol).

Needless to say, I was the last passenger to board inside the plane to have my photo taken with another AirAsia plane nearby as the background.

And before I forget, here's a video on how to self check-in in AirAsia. Self check-in will enable you to avoid the long queues at the airport.

  

You can self check-in here: http://checkin.airasia.com/chkin/step1.aspx?Code=&lang=EN&langId=1 Also learn about Kiosk check-in and mobile check-in HERE. Moving on, more photo ops outside the plane. An airport staff helped me snapped these pictures because my two blogger friends, @supermorgy and @juanderfulpinoy, were already inside the aircraft.

The flight, Z2 948, was operated by an all-Filipino crew. Friendly flight attendant Ace toured us inside the aircraft. He also let me help him in the pre-flight safety demonstration by giving him the oxygen mask and life vest one by one as he inform the passengers how to use these equipments in case of emergency.  

The aircraft took off at around 6:30AM. After the seatbelt sign was turned off, flight attendants started to distribute inflight food and beverage. 

  

For my breakfast, I chose Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice with strawberry yogurt for dessert. A certified bestseller, the meal is dubbed as an Asian favorite. The fluppy seasoned rice served with roast chicken accompanied by Uncle Chin's special secret chilli, ginger and garlic sauce was delectable!

    

Aside from Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice, other available inflight meals include the Nasi Goreng, Nasi Kuning Manado, Roast Chicken with Blackpepper Sauce, Chicken Mayo Apple Sandwich, and more!

  

Here's a tip: When you prebook your meals online prior to your flight, you'll get priority service, more choices and 20% discount! That's me with a female flight attendant wearing the distinct red uniform. Male flight attendants wear black. 

In less than four hours, touchdown KLIA2! 

    

And with just a few hops away from the immigration, we easily spotted the swanky Tune Hotel KLIA2, our home for the night where the fun-filled 'pyjama party' happened.

  

As for my next update, I will blog about my stay in Tune Hotel KLIA2. For more details about AirAsia and to catch the lowest fares, visit www.airasia.com. 

Cross-published in Starmometer

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