Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL): Guide to Paid Access Lounges

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is also known as Manila Airport.

It is the main international airport and gateway serving the Manila metropolitan area in the Philippines. It is the busiest airport in the Philippines, handling over 50 million passengers per year.

It is a major hub for Philippine Airlines and PAL Express. It is also the primary operating base for carriers Phillippines AirAsia and Cebu Pacific.

MNL can be a stressful place to travel through, with overcrowded terminals, difficult inter-terminal transfers, and long queues at check-in and security, putting pressure on its aging infrastructure.

Airport lounge access can offer an escape from the hustle and bustle, giving you a quieter, more comfortable place to relax, enjoy a meal, or recharge before your flight.

There are 4 lounges you can pay to enter at Manila Airport.

All paid access lounges in this guide are airside, after security and immigration. You will need a same-day boarding pass for a flight departing from the same terminal.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the lounges, including their locations, opening hours, amenities, and ways to access them.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport has traditionally had 4 passenger terminals. However, only Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are currently operating. (Terminal 4 is closed, and its planned redevelopment was canceled in August 2026.)

Terminal 1 handles international departures, Terminal 2 handles domestic, and Terminal 3 handles a mix of international and domestic flights.

The terminals are separate buildings, with no connecting passenger walkway or airside train; changing terminals requires a road transfer. Depending on your itinerary, you may also need to collect baggage, clear immigration and customs, and complete check-in and security again.

For this reason, you should choose a lounge in your departure terminal.

For transfers, the airport provides a free, 24-hour shuttle connecting Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Departures generally occur at 15-30 minute intervals.

Of the 4 lounges you can pay to enter at Manila Airport, 2 are located in Terminal 1, and 2 in Terminal 3.

There are 2 lounge options for you to choose from in Terminal 1: the marhaba Lounge, and the PAGSS Premium Lounge.

These lounges are both airside in the international departures area.

The marhaba Lounge in T1 welcomes travelers, regardless of airline or cabin class.

Guests can enjoy international food, as well as complimentary shower facilities.

Terminal 1, airside, after immigration and security. Turn right at the end of the hall and continue towards Gate 9; the lounge is on the left-hand side near the West Satellite.

07:00-00:00 (7am-midnight) daily

Guests can stay at this lounge for up to 3 hours.

• Hot and cold food

• Snacks

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Shower facilities (complimentary; subject to availability)

• Wi-Fi

• Prayer/meditation room

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Advance Purchase Options:

  • Purchase via the marhaba website for US$45 per person, for 3 hours of access.

  • Plaza Premium offers 3 hours of access for US$45 per person.

  • Lounge Pass offers 3-hour access for US$24 per adult and per child aged 2-11.

  • These options require you to book a time and date in advance.

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass and DreamFolks members can access this lounge in accordance with their membership benefits.

  • A Dragonpass membership plan will get you entry into this lounge for a maximum of 3 hours. You can also purchase a one-off walk-up pass for US$55, without a membership.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your membership provider and plan.

• Airline Status or Travel Class:

  • If you are traveling business/first class or are a oneworld Sapphire/Emerald tier member flying Malaysia Airlines

  • If you are flying business class on Air Canada, EVA Air, or Shenzhen Airlines, or are a Star Alliance Gold member

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available to cardholders with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or Dragonpass memberships. Examples include:

    • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: You can purchase access directly at the reception desk.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The PAGSS Premium Lounge in Manila Airport’s Terminal 1 offers the essentials, including buffet food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.

Some traveler reviews note that it can get overcrowded, has dated furnishings, and offers a limited food selection, so it's worth keeping expectations modest.

Airside, Terminal 1, after immigration and security. Continue to the East Concourse; the lounge is next to Gate 2.

24 hours daily

Guests can stay at this lounge for up to 3 hours.

• Hot and cold food

• Snacks

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Wi-Fi

• TVs

• Computer access

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass and DreamFolks members can access this lounge in accordance with their membership benefits.

  • A Dragonpass membership plan will get you entry into this lounge for a maximum of 3 hours. You can also purchase a one-off walk-up pass for US$55, without a membership.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your membership provider and plan.

• Airline Status or Travel Class:

  • If you are flying business class on EVA Air, Ethiopian, or Turkish Airlines, or are a Star Alliance Gold member.

  • First or business class ticket holders or SkyTeam Elite Plus frequent flyers traveling on a same-day international flight operated by one of the following airlines:

    • China Airlines

    • China Eastern

    • Korean Air

    • Xiamen Air

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available to cardholders with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or Dragonpass memberships. Examples include:

    • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: You can purchase access directly at the reception desk.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Terminal 3 handles both domestic and international flights. The 2 lounge options here are the A Lounge and the PAGSS Lounge.

The A Lounge in Terminal 3 offers a variety of seating, semi-private booths, and shower facilities.

This is a practical lounge for a meal, with comfort varying depending on how busy it is, as it is known to be overcrowded at times.

Airside, Terminal 3, after immigration and security. Take the elevator in front of the security checks to Level 4, and the lounge is on the left-hand side.

05:00-23:00 (5am-11pm) daily

Guests can stay at this lounge for up to 3-4 hours (depending on access method).

• Hot and cold food

• Snacks

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Shower facilities (complimentary, subject to availability)

• Wi-Fi

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Advance Purchase Options:

  • Lounge Pass offers 3-hour access for US$27 per adult and per child aged 2-11.

  • This option requires you to book a time and date in advance.

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass members can access this lounge in accordance with their membership benefits.

  • A Dragonpass membership plan will get you entry into this lounge for a maximum of 3 hours. You can also purchase a one-off walk-up pass for US$55, without a membership.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your membership provider and plan.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available to cardholders with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or Dragonpass memberships. Examples include:

    • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: You can purchase access directly at the reception desk.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The PAGSS Lounge in Terminal 3 offers a straightforward, compact place to grab a bite and wait before a flight.

With food, drinks, and Wi-Fi available, its appeal is mainly practical.

Airside, Terminal 3, after immigration and security, Level 4, near Gate 114

00:00-15:00 (midnight-3pm) daily

Guests can stay at this lounge for up to 3 hours.

• Hot and cold buffet

• Snacks

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Wi-Fi

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass members can access this lounge in accordance with their membership benefits.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements depend on your membership provider and plan.

• Airline Status or Travel Class:

  • If you are traveling business/first class, or are a oneworld Sapphire/Emerald tier member or a WY Silver member, flying with Oman Air, Qantas, or Qatar Airways, you have access to the lounge.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available to cardholders with Priority Pass cards. Examples include:

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk-Up Access: You can purchase access directly at the reception desk.

Children under 5 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

• Best for food: PAGSS Lounge (Terminal 3)

• Best for relaxing: marhaba Lounge (Terminal 1)

• Most budget-friendly: PAGSS Premium Lounge (in Terminal 1)

Manila Airport’s 4 paid access lounges offer a convenient place to enjoy a meal, catch up on work, or unwind before flying.

In Terminal 1, marhaba stands out for its showers and separate prayer room. The PAGSS Premium Lounge offers a slightly cheaper advance-purchase option for travelers watching their budgets.

For Terminal 3, you have either the A Lounge or PAGSS Lounge to choose from, both of which offer a standard lounge experience with all the essentials, with the A Lounge also offering showers.

Ultimately, the best option will depend on your departure terminal, budget, and the facilities you value most.

Remember that, in general, you can’t use an airside lounge in a different terminal from your departing flight at MNL. So it is ideal to choose a lounge from the same terminal you are departing from.