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Philippine Airlines will launch the first-ever nonstop service between Manila and Chicago starting November 9 this year, marking a significant expansion of its North American network
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Using Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the flights will be thrice weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
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Chicago will be the PAL‘s eighth US destination
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The new route aims to strengthen economic, cultural, and cargo links between the Philippines and the American Midwest, serving the region’s significant Filipino-American population
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The new service will also expand cargo capacity for the Midwest market
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch the first-ever nonstop service between Manila and Chicago starting November 9, 2026, marking a significant expansion of its North American network.
The new route will operate three times weekly — every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — connecting Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) directly to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Flights will leave Manila in the afternoon while return flights from Chicago depart early evening.
This addition makes Chicago the eighth US destination for the Philippine flag carrier, joining a roster that includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Seattle.
The move is designed to bridge the gap between the Philippines and the American Midwest, a region with a significant Filipino-American population and high commercial demand.
“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,” PAL President Richard Nuttall said in a news release.
By establishing this corridor, the airline aims to facilitate easier travel for both tourism and business, while strengthening cargo capabilities between Southeast Asia and the US interior.
Chicago’s aviation officials welcomed the move, noting that O’Hare’s status as a global hub will help bolster economic and cultural ties between the two regions.
The service will utilize the Airbus A350-900, a long-haul aircraft configured for full-service travel.
To incentivize the new route, PAL announced introductory roundtrip Economy base fares starting at $667. These promotional rates are available for bookings made between April 16 and May 31, 2026.
The launch follows a period of strong performance for the airline, which was recently recognized by Cirium for having the highest on-time performance among Asia-Pacific carriers in 2025.
Beyond passenger travel, the A350-900’s belly-hold capacity will be used to move goods into the Midwest, integrating Chicago into PAL’s broader international cargo network.
