ABBEY: We chose to book a direct flight to El Nido instead of spending five hours in a van from Puerto Princesa. It saved us a lot of time, and honestly, I’m not sure my body could still handle that long of a land trip.
For this route, AirSWIFT is the airline to look for. They use small turboprop aircraft; yes, the ones with propellers. And you’ll be brought from the airport gate to the plane by bus. Our El Nido-bound flight was a bit windy during landing, so the sway of the plane was noticeable. The flight back to Manila felt completely different. It was smooth, but it also signaled the end of our Palawan getaway.
The entire journey is short. Before you know it, the one-and-a-half-hour flight is over and you’re stepping onto what many call “paradise.”
 |
| AirSWIFT direct flight arriving at Lio Airport in El Nido, Palawan |
WILL: Planning a trip to El Nido, Palawan? One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is how to get there.
Should you:
1.Fly to Puerto Princesa and endure a 5–6 hour van ride, or
2.Take AirSWIFT’s direct flight from Manila to El Nido (Lio Airport)?
We chose the second option—and here’s why.
Should You Book AirSWIFT for El Nido?
✔ Yes, if you value time, comfort, and sanity
💰Cost: ₱6,000–₱8,000 one-way
⏱ Time saved: ~6 hours
✈ Best for: Short trips, peak season, motion-sickness-prone tourists
|
|
Total Cost |
Travel Time |
|
Manila → El Nido (AirSWIFT) |
₱6,000–₱8,000 |
~1 hr 15 min |
|
Manila → Puerto Princesa + Van |
₱3,500–₱4,000 |
6–7 hours |
Saving around Php10,000 (2-way) means sacrificing 12+hours of your vacation. For us, the convenience alone made AirSWIFT worth every peso.
AirSWIFT operates out of NAIA Terminal 2 (Domestic).
The staff were professional and efficient—check-in took only 10 minutes. Bilis!!
That said, we still recommend arriving at least 90 minutes early.
⚠️ Do not follow us—we arrived 3 hours early and there’s no lounge to stay in. Lesson learned 😅
AirSWIFT is now under Cebu Pacific, so yes… strict baggage rules apply (alam nyo naman si CebuPac haha!).
•Carry-on: 7kg (strictly enforced)
•Checked baggage: 20kg included
•Overweight fees: Check with Cebu Pacific customer service
The aircraft overhead bins are very small, so even standard rolling carry-ons may end up being checked in.
Legroom was surprisingly reasonable—Abbey is almost 6’ and was comfortable throughout the flight.
The plane was clean and well-maintained.
Do not assume that buying a check-in luggage will include a free meal. 😅
Our seats were on the left side of the aircraft, and we still witnessed incredible views of Palawan’s turquoise waters during descent into El Nido.
Arrival at Lio Airport, El Nido (The Best Part)
Lio Airport is tiny, and honestly—that’s a huge win.
•Baggage claim: 10–15 minutes
•No crowds or long lines
•Transportation waiting outside
•Tricycle to El Nido town: ₱300–₱500 (15 minutes)
•Vans available via hotel private transfersSuper smooth and stress-free.
The return process was just as easy:
•Minimal security lines
•Quick boarding
•Arrived 75 minutes before departure with no issues
Yes, AirSWIFT is worth it if your trip is short and your time matters.
If you’re on a tight budget, flying via Puerto Princesa is fine—just be ready for a long ride.
Have you flown AirSWIFT to El Nido? Share your experience in the comments — your tips might help other travelers decide!
***
AirSWIFT
(W) https://www.cebupacificair.com/en-PH/
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