Is Cebu Pacific a Good Airline? Honest Review & Tips

Cebu Pacific is a Philippines-based carrier considered a budget airline that provides flights at a reasonable rate across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. From the very beginning, the airline has sought to open the skies to more people, especially those traveling on a budget. Their coverage has expanded significantly over time, serving both domestic and international routes. With a contemporary fleet designed to provide effective and secure air travel, the airline links key locations and fosters economic and cultural exchange.

Here’s an in-depth glance at whether Cebu Pacific is a good airline, safe, reliable, and what passengers can anticipate.

Is Cebu Pacific Really that bad or a good airline?

No, Cebu Pacific isn’t “that bad.” It is an uncomplicated, low-cost airline that performs well if you minimize your expectations. It works well for travelers on a tight budget, but those seeking a comfortable full-service experience may find it disappointing.

Cebu Pacific is renowned for providing cheap airline tickets for both domestic and international travel. Here are some key aspects to consider when determining whether a particular airline is suitable for your needs.

Pros:

• Affordability: Cebu Pacific is an attractive choice for low-budget tourists due to its frequently affordable rates.
• Network: The airline operates numerous international routes in Asia and beyond, in addition to a large number of home destinations.
• Regular Promotions: Cebu Pacific regularly offers discounted fares, which can result in substantial savings if purchased during the discount period.
• Modern Fleet: The airline regularly invests in more aircraft, which can improve the quality and safety of the journey.

Cons:

• Hidden Fees: Like other budget airlines, Cebu Pacific charges extra for add-ons like baggage, seats, and meals.
• Service Quality: When it comes to customer service, some travelers have had conflicting experiences. Especially during the waiting periods, such as flight delays and flight cancellations, the customer service has seemed a bit inconsiderate.
• Punctuality: Cebu Pacific, like many budget airlines, is known for delays and cancellations, which can trouble time-sensitive travelers.

What to Expect Onboard with Cebu Pacific?

With low fares and a 7 kg baggage allowance, many travelers regard Cebu Pacific as the best low-cost airline. Anything beyond that, such as checked baggage or meals, requires advance payment or payment on board. You will save a significant amount of money if you include those benefits when making your online reservation.

Food 

Although the rates are typically not lower, you can reserve a meal in advance on their website, which guarantees that you will at least receive a meal. 

• Items can sell out quickly, especially if you sit at the back of the plane, and they frequently don’t have all the meals and snacks on the menu for trips.
• It’s preferable to simply make your reservation in advance if you are certain that you will be hungry throughout the flight. 
• Prices are slightly higher than on the ground, and quantities are smaller, but they’re still reasonably priced and ideal for a last-minute supper.

Entertainment & Service

There was no in-flight entertainment, including a touch–screen system, radio, music, or even a USB input to charge phones or other devices. Therefore, Cebu Pacific advises passengers to carry their own electronics or download the Cebu Pacific app to get trip details.

• Nonetheless, some of their more recent planes include USB charging connections for the seats, and certain flights offer in-flight WiFi for a fee.
• However, the staff conducted “guessing games” with passengers and awarded prizes to the victors. It was a brilliant concept, and everyone felt thrilled, even though they just received a Cebu Pacific-branded pencil box.

The Seats

Cebu Pacific prioritizes seat capacity over passenger comfort, as the majority of low-cost airlines do.

• With a pitch of about 28 to 30 inches, the airline offers small seats that are still relatively comfortable for quick trips.
• Seats are exactly as small, and no entertainment is provided, even on international flights. However, prices are low, so don’t expect much more than the bare minimum. 

All in all, the onboard comfort is simple yet organized, effective, and compliant with low-cost airline norms.

Cebu Pacific Reliability

Cebu Pacific gains a good reputation as it is certified as a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline for the quality of its airport and onboard product and staff service. The reliability of Cebu Pacific is uneven; internal flights within the Philippines are generally good, but are frequently delayed and canceled, particularly during busy times of the year.

Punctuality: Cebu Pacific is well-known for maintaining low fares. However, the airline suffers from poor punctuality issues with international flights. Although the airline has improved its timeliness in recent years, it still experiences occasional delays during peak seasons.

Fleet Age: With an average aircraft age of five years, Cebu Pacific has one of the youngest fleets in Asia, which helps in fuel economy and minimizes mechanical delays.

Explore the Cebu Pacific Headquarters to get more details about the services and amenities offered by the airline.

Cebu Pacific Safety Record

Cebu Pacific has a solid safety record, a low incident rate, and a modern fleet, making it one of the safest low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the world.

• Cebu Pacific has received a high ranking in the 2024 edition of Airlineratings.com‘s Top Twenty Safest Low-Cost Airlines.
• Additionally, Airlineratings.com has previously awarded CEB a perfect 7-star rating for its multi-layered commitment to safety.
• The young fleet and compliance with global maintenance guidelines help to ensure operational safety. Moreover, it has had no fatal accidents in the last 10 years, except for a few minor incidents in the past.

Cebu Pacific Reviews and Rating

The Philippines-based low-cost airline Cebu Pacific frequently receives mixed reviews. It’s often praised for its wide network and affordability, especially for domestic flights within the Philippines. It utilizes an LCC strategy and a no-frills approach. However, the airline is often criticized for extra charges for baggage and other services, frequent delays, and poor in-flight products and services.

• Flight-Report Rating: Cebu Pacific has an average rating of 6.2/10, which means decent service but not above average. Other receives rating as: Meals 5.4, entertainment/wifi 5.1, cabin crew 7.4.

• Skytrax Rating: Cebu Pacific has earned a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline Certification for the exceptional quality of its staff, onboard amenities, and airport. Product ratings include passenger comfort, baggage/seat charges, onboard food and beverage purchases, cabin cleanliness, and service ratings for cabin and ground staff.

• TripAdvisor Rating: A forum discussion mentions that the airline has a passenger rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks 22nd among the 25 safest low-cost carriers.

Check out the Cebu Pacific Offices for details, including contact numbers, operating hours, and the full range of passenger services available.

Final Words

Cebu Pacific is perfect for budget travelers and backpackers who prioritize money over comfort. It serves a large network within the Philippines and Asia-Pacific. The airline is great when it comes to the price, but it needs improvement in punctuality, comfort, and customer service. It has a good overall safety record, with a great 7-star rating from the top airline rating site.

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