Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, is expanding its presence in the United States with the launch of a new nonstop service between Manila and Chicago.
The route is however not a total novelty despite Philippine Airlines announcement. The Filipino national carrier used to serve Chicago between November 1985 and April 1988.
The new service will start on November 9, 2026 with 3 weekly frequencies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a brand new Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The flight will depart Manila in the afternoon and arrive at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport likewise in the afternoon local time. The return service from Manila will depart in the evening and arrive in Manila early morning.
PAL will offer a full-service experience with onboard dining, generous baggage allowance, and thoughtfully designed cabin comfort across all classes.
“Chicago is considered one of the premier hubs in the United States, and our entry into this vibrant city will provide direct connectivity to the Midwest,” said Richard Nuttall, the airline’s president. “At the same time, serving the Chicago–Manila corridor will create vital links 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,” 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 International Airport continues to connect Chicago to key international markets, supporting economic growth, tourism, and cultural ties between our regions.”
To mark the launch of the new route, PAL is offering special introductory fares, with round-trip Economy base fares starting at USD 667 for bookings made until May 31, 2026.
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. PAL flies indeed to 8 destinations across the United States and its territories, joining Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Guam, and Saipan from Manila.
