Your first domestic flight out of Manila, from drop-off to the gate.

NAIA's terminals are separate buildings a few kilometres apart, and they are not connected inside. Walking into the wrong one costs you a taxi ride and a big chunk of your buffer, so double-check the terminal on your ticket or your airline's confirmation email before you leave the house. Aim to arrive two hours before your flight.

Terminals 1 and 3 are long buildings with counters numbered end to end, so knowing your counter range saves a lot of walking. Type your flight number into the box above and the counter shows up right here, or open your airline's page to see the counters it usually uses. Already at the terminal? The screens near the entrances list every flight and its counters.

Domestic check-in is quick. You only need two things:

• A valid government ID
• Your ticket or itinerary, on your phone is fine

Checked in online and travelling with just a carry-on? You can skip the counters entirely and head straight to security with your boarding pass. Have bags to check? Queue at your airline's bag drop instead of the full check-in line.

Everything goes through the x-ray: bags, jackets, sometimes shoes. Liquids over 100 ml in your carry-on and power banks inside checked bags are the usual reasons a tray gets pulled aside, so sort those out while you wait in line. When in doubt, check the rules before you pack.

Your gate is printed on the boarding pass, but gates move, so glance at a screen once you're past security. Boarding usually starts 30 to 45 minutes before departure, and the doors close earlier than the time on your pass. Some piers are a solid walk, so find your gate first, then wander.

Made it through with time to spare? That's the goal. Every terminal has food both before and after security, from a quick silog to a proper send-off meal. Enjoy it, you've earned the calm part of the trip.