Philippine Airlines Seeks Manila–Chicago Route
Philippine Airlines has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval to launch nonstop flights between Manila and Chicago, a move that would create the first direct air link between the Philippines and the American Midwest.
The proposed service would connect Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) with Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), covering approximately 8,121 miles and ranking among the world’s longest commercial routes. According to travel industry reports, the airline is seeking expedited approval to begin operations during the summer 2026 International Air Transport Association (IATA) traffic season.
The new route is designed to address significant passenger demand currently served exclusively by one-stop itineraries. DOT data indicates that around 118,200 passengers traveled between Chicago and the Philippines in the 12 months ending June 2025, all of whom connected through intermediate hubs. Popular transit points include Taipei, Seoul, and Hong Kong, resulting in extended travel times.
In its filing, Philippine Airlines said the nonstop service would open a new US gateway and provide travelers from the Philippines and the broader Midwest with a more convenient option. Chicago would become one of four additional US destinations permitted under the existing US–Philippines Air Service Agreement.
If approved, Chicago would mark the carrier’s sixth US destination and seventh in North America. Philippine Airlines currently operates 44 weekly roundtrip flights between Manila and North American cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York JFK, Honolulu, Vancouver, and Toronto. The airline accounts for a significant share of nonstop capacity in the North America–Philippines market, competing with United Airlines and Air Canada on select routes.
The Manila–Chicago service would likely be operated by the airline’s Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Philippine Airlines received Southeast Asia’s first A350-1000 in December 2025 and has additional units scheduled for delivery. With a range of roughly 9,000 nautical miles, the aircraft is well suited for ultra-long-haul operations and forms a key part of the airline’s North America expansion strategy.
The route targets a large Filipino-American population in the United States, estimated at roughly 4.6 to 4.7 million people. While California hosts the largest community, substantial populations across the Midwest would benefit from direct access via Chicago.
Introductory fares have been advertised from $792, signaling competitive positioning against existing one-stop options. If approved, the summer 2026 launch would align with peak transpacific travel demand and strengthen direct connectivity between the two countries.
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