MANILA, Philippines, April 16, 2026 — Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, is expanding its presence in the United States with the launch of a new nonstop service between Manila and Chicago.
The new route, set to begin November 9, marks PAL’s eighth destination across the United States and its territories, joining Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Guam, and Saipan. With the addition of Chicago, PAL further solidifies its leadership as the Southeast Asian airline with the most expansive network connecting travelers to the U.S. mainland and its island territories.
“Chicago is considered one of the premier hubs in the United States, and our entry into this vibrant city will provide direct connectivity to the Midwest,” said Richard Nuttall, the airline’s president. “At the same time, serving the Chicago–Manila corridor will create vital links to key regional destinations and major Philippine domestic markets through our Manila hub.”
The service will operate three times a week — every Monday, Wednesday and Friday — departing Manila in the afternoon and arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport likewise in the afternoon local time. The return service from Manila will operate on the same days, departing in the evening and arriving in Manila early morning.
“On behalf of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the people of Chicago, we are proud to welcome Philippine Airlines’ new nonstop service between Chicago and Manila,” said Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation. “As the busiest airfield in the world and the best-connected airport in the United States, O’Hare International Airport continues to connect Chicago to key international markets, supporting economic growth, tourism, and cultural ties between our regions.”
To mark the launch of the new route, PAL is offering special introductory fares, with roundtrip Economy base fares starting at USD 667 for bookings made from April 16 to May 31, 2026.
The Manila-Chicago route will be operated using Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 aircraft, offering a full-service experience with onboard dining, generous baggage allowance, and thoughtfully designed cabin comfort across all classes. The service also strengthens PAL’s cargo capabilities, enabling shipments to the U.S. Midwest to connect efficiently to the airline’s broader cargo network.
The Chicago launch comes amid a broader expansion of the airline’s trans-Pacific operations. Beginning June 1, 2026, flights between Manila and Los Angeles will increase from 14 to 18 per week. Service to Seattle currently operates at five weekly flights, with frequencies set to increase to six weekly flights in June and July 2026, reflecting strong and growing demand along the U.S. West Coast.
PAL’s U.S. mainland network further includes daily flights to San Francisco and three weekly services to New York, complemented by five weekly flights to Honolulu in Hawaii. Beyond the mainland, PAL maintains a strong presence across U.S. territories and the wider Pacific, with daily flights to Guam and twice-weekly services to Saipan and Palau.
Philippine Airlines has also been recognized by Cirium for its operational reliability, including being named among the most on-time airlines in Southeast Asia, reinforcing its commitment to delivering dependable and seamless journeys for international travelers.
Travelers may book through the PAL website at www.philippineairlines.com, the PAL mobile app, PAL hotline at (+632) 8855 8888, or via their preferred ticketing offices and travel agents.
