Philippine Airlines announces nonstop Chicago to Manila route starting November

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is adding Chicago to its growing list of US destinations, with nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Manila International Airport (MNL) set to begin on November 9, 2026.

The route will make Chicago the airline’s eighth destination in the United States and its territories, joining Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Guam, and Saipan. 

With the addition, PAL becomes the Southeast Asian carrier with the widest reach into the US mainland and island territories.

Flight details

The service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

Flights from Chicago will depart in the evening and arrive in Manila early the next morning. Return flights from Manila will leave in the afternoon and land in Chicago the same afternoon, local time.

PAL will use its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the route, offering onboard dining, baggage allowance, and enhanced cabin comfort across all classes. The service will also support cargo shipments from the US Midwest, connecting to PAL’s broader freight network through Manila.

Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, pointed to Chicago’s importance as an aviation hub.

“Chicago is one of the premier aviation hubs in the United States, and this new service provides direct connectivity between the Midwest and the Philippines,” Nuttall said. “At the same time, the Chicago–Manila route strengthens access to key regional destinations and major Philippine domestic markets through our Manila hub.”

Michael McMurray, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, welcomed the new service on behalf of the city.

“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,” McMurray said. “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.”

Introductory fares and connections

To mark the launch, PAL is offering promotional fares starting at $1,159 roundtrip for economy class. The offer is valid for bookings made between April 16 and May 31, 2026.

From Manila, passengers can connect to domestic destinations including Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, and Davao. The airline also offers connections to cities across Asia Pacific such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Shanghai.

PAL’s expanding US network

The Chicago route is part of a broader push by PAL to grow its trans-Pacific presence. The airline increased frequencies to Los Angeles starting June 2026 and expanded service to Seattle in late 2025. Regular flights to San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Guam, and Saipan round out its US network.The new route targets a substantial Filipino-American population across the United States. According to Pew Research Center data, approximately 4.6 to 4.7 million people of Filipino descent live in the United States as of recent estimates, representing the third-largest Asian American group. This population includes both immigrants and US-born individuals with Filipino ancestry.

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