Chicago Now Has a Nonstop to Manila, Three Times a Week

Chicago has gained a direct link to Southeast Asia. Philippine Airlines launched nonstop service between Manila and Chicago O’Hare on November 9, according to Aviation Week’s routes coverage. The flights operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using the airline’s long-range Airbus A350-900.

The route gives the Midwest a direct option to the Philippines. Before it, travellers from Chicago heading to Manila typically connected through a West Coast gateway such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, or through hubs in Asia like Tokyo, Seoul or Taipei. A nonstop flight removes a connection, a second security check and the risk of missing an onward flight.

The A350-900 is one of the most efficient twin-engine aircraft for ultra-long-haul missions, which is what makes a route of this length workable for a carrier the size of Philippine Airlines. The aircraft is also well regarded by passengers for its quieter cabin and higher cabin humidity, both of which help on a flight of well over half a day.

Demand is likely to come from the large Filipino-American community across the Midwest as well as from leisure travellers using Manila as a gateway to the Philippine islands. With only three flights a week, seats around the holidays may go quickly. Travellers should check the operating days carefully when planning, and compare the nonstop fare against one-stop alternatives, which may still be cheaper on some dates.

Sources: Aviation Week, eTurboNews