Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced an increase in flights between Manila and Seattle later this year.
The Philippine flag-carrier will increase the frequency to five weekly flights from the current thrice-weekly service starting November 25. This change reflects the growing appeal of the airline’s non-stop route to Seattle, which has been in operation since October of the prior year.
Currently, this route is the only direct connection between the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Airline president Richard Nuttall stated: “Our decision to increase frequencies to Seattle highlights the importance of the US market to the Philippine Airlines global network, particularly the value of Seattle as a gateway to the Washington and Oregon areas, as well as to cities across the U.S. through our partnership with Alaska Airlines.”
Nuttall also emphasized that PAL is focused on enhancing the market to facilitate American travelers planning trips to the Philippines and other Asian nations, thereby providing businesses with more opportunities and allowing Filipino-Americans to frequently reunite with their families.
A new schedule
PAL will introduce new Tuesday and Thursday departures starting on November 25 for flights operating every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
The increase in flights provides travelers with more flexibility in planning their trips, offering multiple travel dates. These flights provide seamless connections to PAL’s extensive network across the Philippines, Southeast Asia, North Asia, Greater China, and numerous U.S. destinations via Alaska Airlines, PAL’s partner.
Currently, PAL and Alaska Airlines have a frequent flyer partnership that expands travel options for loyal customers. The Alaska Airlines hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is recognized as the largest airline hub on the U.S. West Coast.
Ongoing development
The planned expansion aims to meet the growing travel demand between the U.S. West Coast and the Philippines. With this increase, PAL will serve eight destinations in North America, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Honolulu, and Guam. Additionally, this flight increase will significantly enhance the airline’s cargo capacity, allowing for up to 40 tonnes of goods per week between Manila and Seattle.
