Philippine Airlines Launches First Nonstop Chicago–Manila Service, Expanding Midwest Access to the Philippines
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 16, 2026 — Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier of the Philippines, will launch a new nonstop service between Chicago and Manila, further expanding its presence in the United States.
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 one of the premier aviation hubs in the United States, and this new service provides direct connectivity between the Midwest and the Philippines,” said Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines. “At the same time, the Chicago–Manila route strengthens access to key regional destinations and major Philippine domestic markets through our Manila hub.”
“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, further strengthening O’Hare International Airport’s role as a global gateway,” 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 continues to connect Chicago to key international markets, and this new route enhances access between the American Midwest and the Philippines while supporting economic growth, tourism, and cultural ties between our regions.”
Flights from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with evening departures and arrivals into Manila early morning. The return service from Manila will operate on the same days, departing in the afternoon and likewise arriving in Chicago in the afternoon local time.
To mark the launch of the new route, PAL is offering special introductory fares, with roundtrip Economy all-in fares starting at USD 1,159 for bookings made from April 16 to May 31, 2026.
From Manila, travelers can seamlessly connect to key domestic destinations such as Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, and Davao, as well as major cities across Asia-Pacific, including Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Shanghai, making PAL an ideal gateway for Midwest travelers exploring the region.
The Chicago–Manila route will be operated using Philippine Airlines’ Airbus A350‑900 aircraft, delivering a full‑service experience with onboard dining, generous baggage allowance, and enhanced cabin comfort across all classes. The service also strengthens PAL’s cargo capabilities, enabling shipments from the U.S. Midwest to connect efficiently to the airline’s broader cargo network via Manila.
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.
About Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the Philippines’ flag carrier and the country’s only full-service network airline. Founded in 1941, PAL is Asia’s first commercial airline and has played a vital role in connecting the Philippines to the world for 85 years.
PAL's fleet of Boeing, Airbus, and De Havilland aircraft operate scheduled nonstop flights out of hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to 30 destinations in the Philippines and 41 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East. PAL also offers air cargo and charter services, while providing seamless connections throughout the nation and across the world. PAL is an APEX Four™ Star recipient and has achieved the highest on-time performance among Asia-Pacific carriers for 2025, according to Cirium.
About the Chicago Department of Aviation
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 76 international destinations, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve more than 100 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity or the region while supporting 700,000 jobs throughout nine counties. More than 54,000 employees work directly at O'Hare and Midway. The CDA is self-sustaining, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.