It’s finally here, the very long awaiting service to Seattle from Philippine Airlines (PAL). Philippine Airlines nonstop service from Manila to Seattle will launch in October 2024 after serval years of delay due to both FAA restrictions and the covid pandemic. Philippine Airlines will join a growing list of Airlines with nonstop service to Seattle including three new airlines operating and competing for Seattle to Taipei, Taiwan. New Service will bring nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines starting in October 2024. Flights will operate three times per week to travel directly to the archipelagic nation and offer onward connections across Asia and Australia.
The Philippines is this Seattle’s largest unserved international market, and the nonstop flight on Philippine Airlines will serve the tens of thousands of travelers who journey to the Philippines each year, whether it’s to visit friends and relatives or to explore the country’s growing tourism scene. Washington state is home to the the USA’s fourth-largest Filipino population. A direct connection between Seattle and Manila makes sense. The real issue is can it be profitable and Visiting Friends and Relative (VFR) markets are often less revenue generating then business markets. Manila is a very heavy VFR market. For the routes sake, I hope it lasts!
Nonstop service to Manila has long been one of Seattle’s most frequently requested routes and SEA is thrilled that this new flight will not only serve the Puget Sound’s Filipino community but anyone who is interested in exploring the rich history, beauty, and hospitality of the Philippines. SEA is PAL’s eighth North American destination. PAL also serves Honolulu, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto . Passengers traveling to MNL on the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft can also connect to PAL’s regional network, including cities like Cebu, Davao, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. For more information, read PAL’s latest announcement.
Flight details
The new route to MNL begins on October 2, 2024, and will operate three times a week, on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday:
| Route | Days | Depart | Arrivals | Flight No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA to MNL | Wed, Fri, Sun | 11:40pm | 4:45am (+2 day) | PR125 |
| MNL to SEA | Wed, Fri, Sun | 10:40pm | 7:15pm | PR124 |
Philippine Airlines 777-300ER aircraft feature 42 lay flat business class seats and 328 economy seats. In the future this route is likely to be operated by an A350 as PAL works to renew their fleet in 2025.
Bottom Line
After years of speculation and delays we are finally going to see PAL at SEA. The new nonstop flight will offer great connection options throughout the Philippines and South East Asia. Philippine Airlines is bringing the first Nonstop route between Manila and Seattle, launching October 2, 2024. Now, I can only hope the new direct route to Seattle will bring a partnership with Alaska Airlines. Seattle’s hometown airline loves to partner with non-aligned airlines to open more connection on both sides and for frequent flyers.
