All you need to know about Cebu to Bantayan Island flights


Experience the convenience and luxury of air charter with Bantayan Island flights. Fly to Bantayan Island in under an hour!

Seasoned travelers like Olivier and I had our fair share of mishaps during our time in the Philippines.

We had countless of delayed flights, overloading bus/ferries, engine problems, road accidents, cramped seats and what not.

I swear, we are almost at our tipping point. However, lately, we learned that there is a better, safer, faster, flexible, more convenient, not to mention fun, way to travel around the Philippines.

And, that is through air charter.

bantayan island flights

On a personal level, I’ve thought about chartering an entire plane to some far off, exotic locale at some point or another.

Not having to deal with long lines, cramped leg room, and strangers in the next aisle over sounds like paradise, especially for people like us who travel often.

Our Bantayan to Cebu flight

We were ecstatic to have finally ticked off an item in our bucket list by flying with Air Island Tours from Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island to Mactan, Cebu.

We boarded a CESSNA 172, a four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft which is considered as most popular single-engine aircraft ever built.

Cessna 172 Air Island Tours bantayan to cebu flight

Although in the beginning I had reservations on flying in a tiny plane, Capt. Emmanuel Cabral and his co-pilot made us feel safe and secured during our entire flight. In fact, we even felt like we were going on an aerial tour rather than an ordinary flight. And of course, the bird’e eye view of Cebu Island is never disappointing! 🙂

aerial view of sta fe bantayan Island flight
view of the mountains of cebu

One of the things I loved about chartering a flight is the flexibility of the schedule.

While there were still restrictions, we didn’t have the need to rush through the airport to make it to our flight.

We were guaranteed that the plane won’t leave without us – the beauty of private flights!

Capt Emmanuel Cabral and co-pilot bantayan to cebu flight

We were pleased to know that private aircraft are held to the same stringent safety and maintenance regulations as commercial aircraft and Air Island Tours maintains a 100% safety record since it’s foundation in 2011.

air island tours safety instructions

From check-in to deplaning, the entire air charter procedure was managed for our convenience and comfort.

We didn’t have to arrive three hours early to check in for our flight or wait in a long line at a crowded airport to board our plane.

And since our baggage traveled with us, there’s never any need to stand around and wait until our luggage arrives, or worse, doesn’t arrive.

cessna 172 in mactan airport

Cost of flights to Bantayan island and vv

For those unfamiliar with air charter costs, prices can initially be a bit intimidating.

As of July 2023, here are the rates of Cebu to Bantayan flights and vice versa:

Cessna 172
3 Passengers
38,000 PHP

Piper Navajo
8 Passengers
110,000 PHP

One reason for the higher costs associated with flying privately is of course the fact that some of the costs incurred are costs that are typically shared by all passengers on commercial flights, whereas, in the case of chartering a private aircraft, you are chartering the entire aircraft and crew for your exclusive use.

Flying by private air charter may not be everyone’s budget, but when you consider all the benefits and advantages, especially comfort and convenience, the cost of charter travel starts looking very attractive

Over the years, the popularity of private air charter services has soared.  And once you’ve experienced a private charter flight, you’ll understand why!

Book Bantayan Island flights

If you plan to charter a plane for your next trip around the Philippines, don’t hesitate to book through Air Island Tours, the leading air charter service provider in the Visayas and Mindanao serving for a total of 1,300+ , 100% safe and quality air charter flights.

They have a wide fleet of General Aviation Aircraft from fix wing to helicopter to amphibious aircraft (upon special request).

They are developing to revive the inter-island commuter flight to Tagbilaran, Bantayan, Sipalay and Camiguin from Mactan Cebu thru the weekly charters via fix wing aircraft. They also offer aerial tours and helicopter rentals within the Philippines.

*We were invited to fly with Air Island Tours in return for our honest and open review. The views and opinions expressed on this post are purely ours and not influenced by the hotel and its affiliates in any way.