Transit: Flying from Manila to El Nido Palawan via Seair
Seair 19-seater LET-410
El Nido Palawan seems so far away. An elusive paradise tucked at the north western side of Palawan. It’s one of my local dream destinations so when I was given the chance to go there I didn’t pass the opportunity. South East Asian Airlines (Seair) is one of the two airlines (the other being Island Transvoyager Inc’s (ITI) using their 19-seater Dornier 228) who operate the Manila to El Nido route. Last week 24th of February, we flew Seair’s 19-seater LET-410 plane en route to El Nido Palawan.
Our flight steward
I had no problems flying small planes like the LET-410. Aside from the slightly annoying weighing of oneself with the carry on baggage at check-in, I’ve flown it several times and didn’t encounter any problem. Except on this one when I had a cold so the pressure in my ears were painful, leaving me half-deaf when we landed. I didn’t get that problem though on our flight back to Manila.
Inside Seair Let-410
The stewardess gave us a few bite-size choco chews to munch on during the flight. The flight took 1 hour and 20 minutes from Manila to El Nido where in we landed on a dirt road at El Nido Lio Airport. That’s the advantage of small planes like the LET-410 and Dornier 228 as they can safely land and take off from this kind of airport.
At the dirt road at El Nido Airport
I actually like El Nido Lio Airport. It’s already scenic with the towering lime stones hugging El Nido seen at the distance. There was a welcome performance for arrivals and we were led to these huge cottages serving as arrival and departure areas. Food and drinks were served there which is very convenient. And where else can you find an airport with a hammock. I spent time dozing off there waiting for the plane to arrive on our departure.
Welcome serenaders at the airport
We also have to wait for the planes to depart before we could go out of the airport. Once clear, they would let the tricycles in. Tricycles to the El Nido town cost Php100 per person and ideally, a tricycle fits 2 persons with baggage.
Hammocks at El Nido Lio Airport
Big thanks to Seair for sponsoring our flight to El Nido and back to Manila. It was a big help and convenient since it’s a direct flight. From here on the rest of the expenses for staying in El Nido will come from our own pockets.
Tricycles in El Nido
Seair has flights twice a week to El Nido. By April 14, flights will be every Wednesday, Sunday and Monday. This schedule will only be until June 30, 2010. Round trip flights cost approximately Php 11,500.
Purchase tickets to El Nido via www.flyseair.com or call (+632) 8490100. For packages call SEAIR Leisure Escape Packages at (+632) 8437308.
Tags: Airports, El Nido, Palawan, Seair, Transit
Posted on
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 8:00 am 
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March 4th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Hmmm…those planes don’t look too safe to fly ! How old are those?
March 4th, 2010 at 9:27 am
They are quite safe Sidney! I flew this type of plane several times already and have you ever heard Seair gone into serious mishaps with their planes
March 4th, 2010 at 9:55 am
sarap naman free airfare
kelan ka punto rito?
March 4th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
i like the ‘car’ there.. even if there are being called car??
haha.. very cute…
March 4th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
wow! El Nido!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:24 am
at first glance I thought they were float planes
Love the thought of flying to El Nido though 
March 5th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Hi Photo Cache, the date is on the 1st paragraph 24th Feb.
Hi Carmen, technically it’s not a car since it has three wheels that’s why we call it Tricycle
Thanks Pinay Solo Backpacker
It’s the easiest way BW! but expensive as well. The price you pay for convenience.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Better than redeeming a hard-to-get frequent-flier-miles ticket is simply getting a free ticket from the airline. I’m envious!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Nice. Will put El Nido on my travel wishlist once I give birth. I still have to gather the courage to ride that kind of plane, LOL
March 5th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I have no idea of local airfares but isn’t a roundtrip fare (Manila-El Nido) of Php 11,500 a bit on the high side?
March 6th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
remains to be on my wishlist. quando quando quando!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
[...] Left to right : Fedz, Gail, Marc, Nina and [...]
March 7th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Haha! But of course we have to write about them Nomadic Pinoy!
It’s worth it Ajay! It’s not that bad flying the plane really
Hi Bert! Yup, it’s somewhat high since you can fly out of the country lower than that. But El Nido is a premiere destination and only 2 carriers fly there.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it there Dom since you love Beaches of the exotice kind