Oneworld is growing with plans of Philippine Airlines joining the alliance in 2027. Southeast Asia already has Oneworld airlines, but the Philippines is not well connected to the alliance or any alliance for that matter. Sure, you could connect through Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, Tokyo on Japan Airlines, or Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines, but the Philippines has largely sat outside the alliance ecosystem.
That’s finally changing as Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced this week that it will join the oneworld alliance as its 16th member airline. For travelers based in the United States, especially loyalists of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and American Airlines AAdvantage this could quietly become one of the more useful alliance additions in years.
Philippine Airlines Oneworld Expansion
Philippine Airlines adds 31 new destinations across the Philippines and expands oneworld’s reach in Southeast Asia. Manila becomes a much more useful connecting hub, particularly for secondary cities that are often expensive or complicated to reach using miles. Manila is already served by Oneworld members Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines,Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, and Qantas. Whereas Cebu has service from Cathay Pacific and Qatar airways. PAL adds unique destinations across the archipelago nation. Think destinations like:
- Davao
- Palawan
- Boracay (via Caticlan)
- Iloilo
- Bohol
These are places many travelers actually want to visit, but award access has historically been difficult to get to with no options except low-cost carriers.
For Alaska and American flyers, the addition opens up another pathway into Southeast Asia and potentially a very valuable one. As Philippine Airlines has good connectivity to the United States with very reasonable fares.
Alaska Atmos Rewards Could Be the Real Winner
This news feels especially important for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members. Mileage Plan still offers some of the best award pricing in the industry on partner airlines, particularly for premium cabin flights to Asia. PAL was announced as an Alaska Airlines partner in 2025, but was quickly strip of earning miles after the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition. Except in cases when you book via AlaskaAir.com. Partner awards have been pending and no date announced for award flights.
When PAL awards become bookable through Alaska, there’s potential for some genuinely strong value options. The same will be true once PAL becomes a Oneworld airline and earning miles on cash tickets are available. Especially considering Philippine Airlines often prices extremely competitively, sub $3,000 roundtrip from the West Coast to Asia.
And that’s where this gets interesting. Philippine Airlines regularly runs surprisingly good fares between the U.S. and Manila. We frequently see sales on their North America routes.
- Los Angeles 2x daily
- San Francisco 1x daily
- Honolulu 5x weekly
- New York JFK 3x weekly
- Seattle 5x weekly
- Toronto 3x weekly
- Vancouver 1x aily
- Chicago 3x weekly from Nov 9, 2026.
Fares to Manila can sometimes undercut Japan, Korea, or even parts of Europe, especially during shoulder season. For travelers trying to reach Southeast Asia on a budget, Manila has quietly become one of the cheaper transpacific gateways.
Oneworld integration brings fuller mileage earning and redemption reciprocity, Alaska flyers could potentially earn Mileage Plan miles on cheap PAL fares, redeem Alaska miles for PAL long-haul business class, connect onward throughout the Philippines, and use Manila as a lower-cost jumping off point for the rest of Asia. Moreso we may even see Alaska Airlines return to Manila via Hawaiian.
Seattle travelers in particular may benefit here. Alaska continues building Seattle into a major oneworld gateway, and PAL’s Seattle-Manila route already fits naturally into that ecosystem.
American Airlines Flyers Also Gain More Options
American Airlines already has a limited Southeast Asia footprint compared to United through Star Alliance. Adding PAL strengthens the oneworld network in a region where connectivity has long been fragmented. The biggest benefit for AAdvantage members is likely simple access and similar perks that Alaska flyers will gain.
Right now, award seats into Southeast Asia can be frustratingly inconsistent. Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific availability fluctuates wildly, and Qatar routings are often excessively long for travelers and or nonexistant.
Philippine Airlines creates another transpacific option from the U.S. to Manila with onward coverage throughout the region.
Don’t Expect Cathay Pacific-Level Luxury
Let’s be realistic: Philippine Airlines is not suddenly becoming the next Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines. The carrier has a mixed reputation depending on aircraft type and route. Some long-haul business class cabins are solid, while others feel dated. Service, however, is generally warm and friendly, and PAL tends to compete aggressively on price. If you are looking to fly PAL, aim for the new A350-100 aircraft with much nicer seats. Hard product matters and the 777 is dated plus has a middle seat 👎🏼👎🏼on some configurations.
That’s probably the bigger story here. This is less about aspirational luxury and more about practical value. Cheap fares. More award space. Better Southeast Asia connectivity. Additional partner options for Alaska and American flyers. That is what matters. A new partner. Would I prefer to see Starlux join Oneworld, Yes. However I am still very happy with this addition.
The Bigger Picture for oneworld
Oneworld has historically been somewhat weaker in Southeast Asia compared to Star Alliance which partners with Singapore and Thai Airlines. United travelers have long benefited from Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and broader regional coverage from several carriers across east Asia in Korea, China and Japan.
PAL helps close that gap for Oneworld. The Philippines is also a huge visiting friends and relatives market with enormous demand from North America, particularly on the West Coast. Adding PAL strengthens oneworld’s relevance with a very large passenger base that already flies frequently between the U.S. and the Philippines.
And for leisure travelers, the Philippines remains one of Asia’s more underrated destinations with world-class beaches, diving, island hopping, and generally lower costs than many neighboring countries.
Bottom Line
Philippine Airlines joining oneworld probably won’t generate the same excitement as a flashy Middle Eastern carrier or a boutique luxury airline joining an alliance. But for Alaska Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage members, this could become one of the more genuinely useful alliance additions in years. More award options. More Southeast Asia connectivity. Potentially great value fares to Asia. And another practical way to burn miles without routing halfway around the globe.
Now lets hold on for hope for other Airlines. I still hope to see Starlux join OneWorld and would love to see a carrier like Air Baltic, Condor, Porter join to help fill the voids in Eastern Europe and Canada. Better yet, Oneworld needs a Central and South American airline to fill the void left by LATAM. Time will tell who will join next.
