Facilities at Jacksons International Airport

I have to pass through the Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby in October and will have some 9 hours between flights. I will be tired after a long distance arriving flight and would appreciate some rest. Are there any good lounging facilities or similar within the airport? I am worried because I have come across more than one review critical of the airport staff and describing them as "rude and dishonest"

most people in PNG including at the airport are friendly and honest - that said we did have
some things taken from our bags whilst they were being held for the day between domestic flights

there is not much in the way of facilities at the airport - a waiting area and a few cafes
certainly not somewhere to spend 9 hours in comfort

best choice would be to get the hotel airport shuttle to the airways hotel and spend the day
by their pool drinking beer and eating nachos - they also have a good
spa if you want a bali style massage - all at oz prices not indo ones though

you could also arrange a mini-tour of moresby though to be honest the only place worth
visiting is the national museum - if you are going elsewhere in papua takje the chance to stock up
on essentials esp, medicines as outside moresby availiability of anything is very limited

Thanks. It is that "taking things from the bags" that a lot of people have reported, ranging from a chocolate bar to compact camera. My onward flight from Port Moresby is to Hoskins Airport in New Britain and since that has no international arrival facilities, I am obliged to clear PNG entry formalities in Port Moresby. I suppose that will use up almost 2 hours but I will be saddled with all my luggage during the wait.

I checked out Airways Hotel but they had no day room facilities as far as I could see and in any case, looked expensive. I did not think they would take very kindly to my walking in with all my luggage only to sit by the pool and drink beer, nice as it sounds.

There is really nothing at the airport of note, but you can by a local SIM for your phone, depending on when you arrive and when the booth is open. Crowne Plaza has a bar with a view of the ocean, and a pool and you could hole up there for the day. Otherwise you could go to Port Moresby Nature Park, which is safe, shady, very well maintained and has some interesting animal attractions. The Aviat Club is easier to get into than the Yacht Club, and has relaxing chairs and a nice pool. All will cost you about 40 kina to get to by taxi.

depending on yr arrival time?the best option is to drag all yr gear to airways hotel and have a meal/beer at the restaurant/pool area ,they allow this for travellers,as long as it is not overnite?you can catch their courtesy bus outside international arrivals.....good and easy way to rest and relax.

Agreed on heading to airways. No worries on rocking up for the day with luggage. There are quite a few tables outside on a balcony that you can 'park' yourself at.

I second all the opinions about spending your time in a hotel bar. The Grand Papua has a very sleek bar/cafe, a good restaurant and a pool. The Ela Beach has a popular restaurant and a pool. I don't think any of these places would mind at all as long as you're giving them business. I find coffee in PNG to be pretty good and not too expensive. If you ask the hotel van drivers at the arrival area nicely and persuasively chances are good that they'd give you a lift instead of paying for an expensive taxi. I got rides both ways like that last time.

It took me about 20 minutes to clear customs.....I second the concept of the Airways Bar!

Just an update folks. Checking the airlines times, I found that if I can fly via Hong Kong instead of Singapore into Port Moresby, I will have time to catch an earlier flight to Hoskins, thus solving my problem of having to wait at Jacksons. It will need careful planning since there are only 2 flights per week out of Hong Kong to PM but I think I can do it since I plan to do some sightseeing in Hong Kong anyway and land activities in Walindi area. I can work those around the flight and liveaboard times.

If you're going to PNG from far away, like the UK in your profile, and have a wide range of routing options, there is another transit point you may want to consider. Transiting through Tokyo, you can take a cheap Jetstar flight to Cairns and then QantasLink to PoM. This may be cheaper and Cairns will be a very pleasant stop that time of year. I checked various flights to PoM and I found that flights from HK and Singapore to be very expensive.

Thanks. I have to consider the excess weight due to my dive kit. If going through Hong Kong, I will use Virgin to get there - they have free allowance for scuba gear. Likewise, AirNuigini allow 15kg free excess checked baggage for bona fide divers that gets extended to domestic connections beyond Port Moresby.

I spent over 2 weeks at Palm Cove north of Cairns and saw a lot of the local sights and so was not planning to go back there in the near future.