Travelers advised to brace for holiday rush

As the holiday season is considered the peak season for travel, Cebu Pacific (CEB) and CebGo on Monday reminded passengers to brace for the holiday rush.

In an advisory, the management reminded passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure for domestic flights, and three hours for international flights “to allow ample time for check-in, security checks, immigration checks, and process pre-departure requirements.”

Cebu Pacific and CebGo encouraged passengers to use the “web check-in” and visit the ‘Manage Booking’ section of the Cebu Pacific website.

Web check-in is available from seven days up to four hours before the scheduled flight departure. For domestic flights, it is available one hour before departure.

Passengers could also download the official Cebu Pacific App where they could access the check-in option. The mobile app check-in is available from seven days to four hours before an international flight, and up to one hour before the departure of a domestic flight.

Domestic passengers who checked in via web or mobile can drop off their check-in luggage at the bag drop counter at least 45 minutes before the flight.

Meanwhile, international web or mobile check-in guests still need to show up at the check-in or bag drop counter at least one hour before the flight to present valid travel documents.

Cebu Pacific and CebGo strongly advised passengers on international flights to proceed immediately to the immigration counters after completing the check-in requirements.

Passengers should be at the gate at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, except for flights bound for Dubai, which needs at least 45 minutes.

The management said that all check-in counters close 45 minutes before the scheduled departure, except those going to Dubai and Shanghai, which close at least one hour, and  50 minutes before departure, respectively.

Meanwhile, all boarding gates close 15 minutes before the scheduled time of flights, except for flights heading to Dubai which closes 20 minutes before departure.

Cebu Pacific said they also have roving agents that passengers could approach for any concerns.

The management also reminded passengers to mind the weight of their hand-carry bags because they only allow one bag with a maximum weight of seven kilos, with a dimension of up to 56 centimeters (cm) by 36 cm by 23 cm.

This applies to wheeled cabin bags and backpacks.

Each passenger may also bring one small bag not exceeding 35 cm by 20 cm by 20 cm, which includes handbags, purses, and laptop bags.

Adult passengers traveling with infants may carry one small bag containing baby food and necessities, aside from their allowed hand-carry baggage.

Assistive or medical items such as walking canes, foldable walkers, and items purchased inside the airport must be on top of the hand-carry baggage allowance for each passenger. /ee