Planning to go to Batanes soon? Consider flying SkyJet Airlines! I've heard of SkyJet a few years ago prior to PAL's entry to the Basco (Batanes) route and so, I was glad that I finally got to experience it for the first time on this Batanes adventure. It's a dream for many of us Pinoys to set foot on this group of islands found at the northernmost tip of the Philippines. There never seemed to be a perfect timing for me though until this year to get here. Arriving by a jet-powered plane, as two of the seasoned travel bloggers in this trip said, had a higher chance that our flights won't get cancelled with the unpredictable Batanes weather. I was afraid the December "winter" season meant very cold winds and storms but (maybe we're just really lucky) there was none of that AT ALL...
Batanes flight with my Transitions XTRActive lenses! #LifeintheBestLightPH
They were pretty strict with the 10-kg check-in baggage allowance and we were only allowed 5 kilos worth of weighed handcarry. It was a short walk to the plane and up the stairs to get to the aircraft.
The BAe-146 flight from Manila to Batanes took around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The plane could accommodate around 80 passengers with eleven 3-3 seating rows and and the rest with 3-2 or 2-2 at the back next to the restroom.
One thing I would advise is to do your toilet requirements before you leave or after you arrive. The inflight bathroom was old-style and the emergency masks were hanging out when I went in... I laughed a bit at the thought and took some time figuring out getting the lock on... Some seats and tables also need some upgrading so check those once you're seated. Bring a jacket coz it was really cold as well as ear plugs during the flight ;)
The seating arrangement is a bit unusual with all of us concentrated in the middle (probably to balance the plane if it's not filled with people). There was ample legroom space and the overhead bins could accommodate a medium backpack. The cabin crew also said distributed snacks (mamon and water) so you could enjoy that while reading their inflight magazine. Or catch some sleep haha.
The flight was smooth and the landing was alright. We arrived at the small Basco airport on time and waited for our baggages which were dropped in after some time.
You have to enter here to claim your luggages.
Our rented van was waiting for us (use the contact form for details) and brought us to Villa Hontomin (see review here).
It was a quick 10-minute ride back to the airport for our flight back to Manila. The SkyJet check-in counter opened at around 6:15am for our 7:45 flight. They do a manual bag check (to check if you've brought handcarry prohibited items like garlic and check-in aerosol sprays, shells, etc.) and weigh-in for the bags before they issue a boarding pass. Our flight back actually left earlier to Manila because the plane arrived at around 7am.
I got a window seat this time and realized I should have requested an A or F seat on both flights!
That brief time during landing at Basco or that takeoff from Batanes where you can see the islands was a breathtaking flying experience one shouldn't miss...
The cruising speed of the aircraft and the way SkyJet taxi through the NAIA runway were amusing for me - it's like riding a big car with the speed haha. SkyJet Airlines also flies directly to 2 of the Philippines' famous islands Busuanga (Coron) and Caticlan (Boracay).
Flying SkyJet Airlines from Manila to Basco, Batanes!
Flying SkyJet Airlines from Manila to Basco, Batanes!
