Exploring the Philippines on a budget? Trust me, it’s totally doable. I spent a month island hopping to over 10 islands, all without breaking the bank, thanks to these budget-friendly airlines. From the bustling streets of Manila to the pristine beaches of Palawan, the Philippines is packed with beauty, and affordable flights make it easier than ever to see it all.
For 2026, I’ve rounded up the top 7 cheap airlines in the Philippines, so you can travel around this stunning country without emptying your wallet. Whether you’re planning beach days, mountain hikes, or just craving that island-hopping adventure, these airlines are your ticket to budget-friendly exploring. Let’s dive into who to fly with to make the most of your time in the Philippines!
El Nido and Coron Flights Moved to Clark
Heads up if Palawan is on your list: as of March 29, 2026, all Cebgo and AirSWIFT turboprop flights left Manila (NAIA) and now operate out of Clark International Airport (CRK), which is a two to three hour drive north of the city. So Manila to El Nido and Manila to Coron are gone as direct options, and you’ll need to budget a half day just to reach the airport. AirSWIFT also folded into Cebgo on July 1, 2026, so your booking now shows the DG code and gets called Cebgo at the gate (Cebu Pacific’s advisory here).
1. Cebu Pacific
- 🏠 Base: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL)
- 💼 Best For: Budget-conscious domestic and regional travelers seeking the widest route network
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Standard economy with “Premium” seats offering extra legroom for purchase
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Personal item included; carry-on and checked bags available for additional fees
- 💳 Loyalty Program: GetGo rewards program with points earned on flights and partner purchases
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book during their frequent “Piso Fare” promotions for tickets starting as low as ₱1 (plus taxes and fees)
If you’ve spent any time in the Philippines, you’ve definitely seen Cebu Pacific‘s bright yellow planes zooming around. They’ve become the go-to budget airline for Filipinos and tourists alike, connecting pretty much every corner of this island nation plus international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
What makes Cebu Pacific so popular? Those legendary “Piso Fare” sales are a big part of it. When these promotions hit, base fares literally start at about $0.02. Sure, taxes and fees still apply, but you can score round-trip domestic flights for under $18 if you’re quick with the booking button.
Their planes are mainly Airbus A320s for shorter hops and A330s for longer routes. The experience is basic. Don’t expect fancy meals or entertainment, but the planes are clean and generally on time. The seats aren’t exactly plush, but for flights typically under two hours between islands, they do the job fine.
One thing to know about Cebu Pacific: they’re all about unbundled pricing. Your fare gets you from point A to B with a small personal item, but everything else costs extra. Want to choose your seat? That’ll be $3-10. Checking a bag? Better add that during booking because it’ll cost way more at the airport.
For exploring the Philippines’ amazing beaches, mountains, and cities, Cebu Pacific remains the people’s choice with their extensive route network and consistently affordable fares.
- Read next: Awesome Things to Do in Boracay
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2. 🇵🇭 AirAsia Philippines
- 🏠 Base: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL)
- 💼 Best For: Budget travelers seeking low international fares across Southeast Asia
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Standard economy with “Hot Seats” offering extra legroom and priority boarding
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Personal item included; carry-on and checked bags available for additional fees
- 💳 Loyalty Program: BIG Loyalty program with points that can be used across all AirAsia Group airlines
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Join AirAsia’s ASEAN Pass program for discounted multi-city trips across Southeast Asia
AirAsia Philippines brings that iconic red branding and “Now Everyone Can Fly” spirit to the Filipino market. As part of Asia’s largest budget airline group, they’ve become popular for travelers exploring both the Philippines and the broader region affordably.
What sets AirAsia Philippines apart is their impressive international network. Need to visit Bangkok, Singapore, or Seoul? They offer fares often starting around $40-70 during sales. Domestic flights can go for as little as $15-30, making island-hopping accessible to almost anyone.
Their all-Airbus A320 fleet provides a standard budget airline experience. Regular seats are basic but fine for shorter flights. For longer trips, their “Hot Seats” offer extra legroom, priority boarding, and quicker exit options.
Like most budget airlines, AirAsia Philippines keeps base fares low by charging for extras. Checking bags, selecting seats, and in-flight meals all cost additional fees. Adding these during initial booking saves money compared to airport prices.
For travelers planning multi-country tours of Southeast Asia, AirAsia Philippines connects seamlessly with the broader AirAsia network. Their ASEAN Pass program offers significant discounts for visiting multiple cities across the region.
- Read next: Hidden Gems to See in Luzon
- You may also like: Best Airlines to Fly to Bali
3. 🇵🇭 Philippine Airlines
- 🏠 Base: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL)
- 💼 Best For: Travelers seeking a balance between affordability and comfort with free amenities
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Carry-on and at least one checked bag included with all fares
- 💳 Loyalty Program: Mabuhay Miles with multiple elite tiers and Star Alliance partnerships
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Look for their “seat sales” that offer full-service flights at prices competitive with budget carriers
Philippine Airlines (PAL) isn’t traditionally categorized as a budget carrier, but deserves a spot on this list because their frequent promotions and “seat sales” often bring their fares down to budget airline territory, while still offering significantly more inclusions.
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👉 Send me cheap 2026 flightsAs the country’s flag carrier and Asia’s first airline, PAL has evolved to meet the challenge from low-cost competitors by offering promotional economy fares that sometimes start around $50-80 for domestic and $150-250 for international flights. The key difference? These fares include amenities budget airlines charge extra for.
Flying PAL means enjoying a free checked bag allowance, complimentary meals and snacks, in-flight entertainment, and generally more comfortable seating with better legroom than the ultra-budget options. Their fleet is diverse, ranging from Airbus A320s for shorter routes to Boeing 777s and A350s for long-haul flights.
What makes PAL attractive for budget-conscious travelers is the overall value proposition. When budget airlines add fees for bags, seats, and food, the final price often approaches what PAL charges anyway. Their economy experience feels decidedly more premium, with hot meals served even on shorter domestic flights and a level of service that reflects traditional Filipino hospitality. For travelers who want to save money without sacrificing all comfort, PAL’s promotions offer a sweet spot in the market.
- Read next: Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines
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- For more reading: Best Airlines to Fly to Asia
- Keep reading: Gorgeous Places to Visit in the Middle East
- Also worth reading: Cheapest Airlines in Europe
4. 🇵🇭 Cebgo
- 🏠 Base: Clark International Airport (CRK), plus inter-island routes from El Nido (ENI)
- 💼 Best For: Budget travelers exploring smaller domestic destinations not served by larger carriers
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Single class economy seating
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Personal item included; carry on and checked bags available for additional fees
- 💳 Loyalty Program: GetGo rewards program shared with parent company Cebu Pacific
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book Cebgo flights through the Cebu Pacific website for seamless connections to destinations not served by larger jets
Cebgo is basically Cebu Pacific’s little brother, handling those smaller domestic routes that big jets can’t serve. If you’re trying to reach gorgeous but less visited islands and provincial cities, these guys are your best bet.
They fly ATR 72 turboprops to places like Basco in Batanes, Masbate, Tablas, and other spots with smaller airports. Fares typically range from $25-60 one way, making even remote destinations affordable for budget travelers.
The flying experience is pretty simple. Don’t expect anything fancy, but the flights are usually short anyway (under an hour). The planes fly lower than jets so you get great views, though you’ll feel the bumps a bit more when there’s weather.
What’s cool about Cebgo is how they’ve opened up parts of the Philippines that used to be a pain to reach. Places that previously required overnight ferry rides or complicated bus journeys are now just a quick flight away.
Since they’re fully integrated with Cebu Pacific, you can book everything in one go if you’re connecting from an international flight or major city. You can even score those crazy cheap promo fares during the famous “Piso Sales” that apply to the whole network.
- Read next: Magical Destinations in Southeast Asia
- You may also like: Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines
5. 🇵🇭 Air Swift
- 🏠 Base: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
- 💼 Best For: Tourists seeking direct flights to premium island destinations
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: All economy with more generous seat pitch than budget rivals
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Historically 10kg carry on included, but confirm at booking since fare rules are shifting under Cebgo
- 💳 Loyalty Program: GetGo, now that it sits under the Cebu Pacific group
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Search the DG flight code, not T6. Old AirSWIFT booking links and third party sites are still showing stale info
AirSWIFT is the boutique airline everyone heading to El Nido or Coron wants to know about. Two things have changed since I first wrote this, and both matter before you book.
First, the Manila departure is gone. Since March 29, 2026, the old Manila to El Nido run operates as Clark to El Nido, with around six daily flights. Second, Cebu Pacific bought AirSWIFT outright, and as of July 1, 2026 all flights are operated by Cebgo under the DG code instead of T6. Schedules and service haven’t changed, but the name on the departure board has.
The math on whether it’s worth it has shifted a little. You’re now trading a 2 to 3 hour bus ride up to Clark for the 5 hour van from Puerto Princesa, which still stings but is the better end of the deal in my book. You land at a tiny airstrip minutes from your beachfront hotel instead of arriving wrecked at sunset. During low season, fares drop to around $80 to $100 one way, and peak season runs $150 and up.
The other option worth knowing: the inter-island hops still run. Cebu to El Nido, Caticlan (Boracay) to El Nido, Coron to El Nido, and Bohol to El Nido all operate, so if you’re already island hopping you can skip Luzon entirely and never think about Clark.
The flights themselves are quick but stunning. Those little ATR planes fly low enough that you get jaw dropping views of the islands and reefs below. For travelers who value both their time and their back muscles, this is still the best way into northern Palawan.
- Read next: Unique Things to Do in Palawan
- You may also like: Bucket-List Attractions in Coron, Palawan
- For more reading: Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Siquijor
6. 🇸🇬 Scoot
- 🏠 Base: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN); flies to Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao
- 💼 Best For: Budget travelers looking for cheap international flights between Philippines and Asia
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy and ScootPlus (premium economy)
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: No free baggage allowance; all bags cost extra
- 💳 Loyalty Program: Part of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book during their frequent “Take Off Tuesday” sales for fares as low as $88 to Singapore
Scoot isn’t technically a Filipino airline, but they’ve become a total game changer for budget international travel from the Philippines. Those bright yellow planes connect Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao to spots all over Asia without destroying your wallet.
What’s cool about Scoot is they’ve got Singapore Airlines DNA but budget prices. Many routes use Boeing 787 Dreamliners that actually feel decent to fly in — better air pressure so your ears don’t pop as much, windows you can see out of, and a ride that doesn’t make you reach for the barf bag during minor turbulence.
Their sales are where the magic happens. Flights from the Philippines to Singapore can drop to $88 one way, and from there you can connect all over Asia. Just pack light or be ready to pay for bags, food, and pretty much everything else.
For Filipinos dreaming of exploring Tokyo, Seoul, or Melbourne without spending three months’ salary, Scoot makes it possible. Their “Take Off Tuesday” sales have turned international travel from a luxury to something regular people can actually afford. Just download their app and set those fare alerts, because the best deals vanish fast.
✈️ Piso fares are the easy part. Getting to Manila is what costs you.
Cebu Pacific and Cebgo will hop you between islands for $25-60, but the long-haul into MNL is where most of your budget disappears. Going’s Premium plan ($49/year) is how I’ve caught US to Manila round trips in the $450-550 range, usually 40-50% under what Google Flights was quoting that same week. And if you’d rather not spend 16 hours upright, their Elite plan ($199/year) sends the business and premium economy drops on those same Asia routes.
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- Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to Singapore
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- For more reading: Best Things to Do in Sydney
- Keep reading: Best Airlines for Budget-Friendly Flights to Athens
- Also worth reading: Picture-Perfect Spots in Tokyo
7. 🇵🇭 PAL Express
- 🏠 Base: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL)
- 💼 Best For: Budget travelers exploring domestic destinations not served by Cebu Pacific, with more included amenities than ultra-low-cost carriers
- 🛋️ Cabin Options: Economy and Premium Economy on select routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 7kg carry-on and 10kg checked bag included on most fares
- 💳 Loyalty Program: Mabuhay Miles (shared with parent Philippine Airlines)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Look for their “seat sales” that often include baggage allowance in the advertised price – unlike Cebu Pacific, you’re not starting from zero with add-ons
If Cebu Pacific is the Philippines’ budget king, PAL Express is the smarter middle ground. As Philippine Airlines’ regional subsidiary, they operate a fleet of newer Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft on domestic routes that connect Manila to secondary cities and islands that the bigger carriers sometimes skip or underserve.
The real advantage over Cebu Pacific and AirAsia is what’s included in the fare. Most PAL Express tickets come with a 7kg carry-on and 10kg checked bag at no extra charge, which means the headline price is closer to what you’ll pay. Service is a step above pure budget. The crew brings PAL’s warmth and professionalism without the full-service price tag, and the planes are clean and well-maintained.
Fares typically run ₱1,500-3,500 ($25-60 USD) for domestic routes. It’s somewhere between Cebu Pacific’s bare-bones pricing and Philippine Airlines’ full-service fares. For island hopping where you need to bring dive gear or a proper suitcase, the included baggage alone can make PAL Express cheaper than Cebu Pacific once you add bags to their base fare.
Mabuhay Miles earned on PAL Express count toward your Philippine Airlines status and can be redeemed across PAL’s network. Trust me, that’s a huge perk if you fly the Philippines regularly.
New for 2026
Philippine Airlines just expanded its partnership with Qatar Airways, launching codeshares from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao through Doha to over 20 European cities including Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt. Even better, Mabuhay Miles and Qatar Privilege Club now cross-earn and cross-redeem. Your PAL miles can now take you to Europe through Doha, and Qatar miles work on PAL domestic flights to Boracay and Palawan.
- Read next: Beautiful Islands in the Philippines
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
