Newly-opened lounge in NAIA 3 gives uplifting experience for travelers

The lounge area of The Wings Transit Lounge in NAIA Terminal 3. (Photo from The Wings Transit Lounge’s Facebook page)

From worst airport to world-class amenities.

A newly-opened lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 sought to turn around the country’s reputation as having the worst airport in the world, while allowing families of mostly overseas Filipino workers the privacy and comfort of a proper send-off.

“This (lounge) is a new innovation.  There are rooms, showers, services like massage, manicure and pedicure, and other amenities,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado said.

Open to both airline passengers and the general public, the Wings Transit Lounge at the NAIA terminal 3 is “a good addition to the many amenities of terminal 3 and will add to the passengers’ convenience,” the airport official added.

 
At its grand opening Tuesday, lounge operations supervisor Maricar Vea described the 400-meter facility as a “pay-per-use” space that people can access for an average of P500 or US$5 per person.

Celebrity chef buffet

 
For P500, guests can avail themselves of a two-hour stay at the lounge, with access to a buffet prepared by celebrity chef Pablo “Boy” Logro.  For an extended stay, guests must shell out an additional P175 an hour.

For guests in need of a nap, capsules are provided for P880 for a minimum of five hours’ stay and a meal.  Guests who want a nap, a meal and a shower must be prepared to pay P1,000.   An added hour of stay costs P200 more.

Like a hotel, the lounge has twin rooms that cost P1,600 for five hours and P350 for every hour extension.  Bunk rooms good for 3 persons cost P2,100 for five hours’ stay, with every hour extension costing P450.  A family room that accommodates four persons costs P2,600 with every additional hour costing P350.

Hand and foot services, such as mani-pedis and foot scrubs, are priced from P300 to P1,000, while massages cost from P350 to P675.  A shower costs P300 while barber services range from P150 to P300.

50 to 100 guests

 
According to Vea, since its soft opening on June 20, the lounge has hosted an average of 50 to 100 guests a day. “We are expecting more visitors after this grand opening,” the lounge operations supervisor said.

Honrado however expressed doubts that the lounge could be replicated in other NAIA terminals because of space constraints.

“Terminals 1 and 2 are already full (despite us) reducing concession areas to expand passenger movement areas,”  the airport general manager said.

“A public space for passengers is (always) welcome… Every addition redounds to better service for the travelling public,” he added. With Christine Rhea Lectura