Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced it will become the first carrier to offer nonstop flights between Manila and Seattle starting October 2, 2024. The new route expands PAL’s U.S. network to six destinations, making it the airline with the largest nonstop service from the Philippines to the United States.
“Philippine Airlines is happy to say, ‘Mabuhay, Seattle!’ We are proud to welcome Seattle to our growing U.S. route network,” said PAL President and COO Captain Stanley K. Ng. “Our Manila-Seattle-Manila flights give us a valuable opportunity to promote our beautiful island country as a flourishing tourist and business destination for American travellers.”
The flights will initially operate three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Departures are scheduled for 10:40 PM from Manila and 11:40 PM from Seattle.
Seattle is a key hub for the tech industry and major port city, providing connections to other Northwest population centers like Portland, Spokane and Eugene. PAL’s network through Manila also links Seattle to other Asian destinations.
“Washington state is home to the country’s fourth-largest Filipino population. For over 100 years, Filipinos have contributed to the region’s arts, business, and political leadership,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa.
According to Hasegawa, the Manila-Seattle route is one of the most requested, given that Washington state hosts the fourth-largest Filipino community in the United States.
The airline plans to deploy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured with business and economy class cabins. Introductory roundtrip fares start at $771 for economy and $3,071 for business class until April 30th for travel between October 2 – November 30, 2024 and February 1 – March 22, 2025.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista stated the new service “will help boost travel and tourism between both the Philippines and the United States” as the country enhances airport infrastructure.
The Seattle route joins PAL’s existing North American destinations of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Honolulu and Guam. With over 900,000 American tourists visiting in 2023, the U.S. was the second largest source market for the Philippines.
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