Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced plans to increase its service on the Manila-Seattle route, boosting frequencies from three to five weekly flights starting in November.
This move comes as part of the carrier’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the US market and underscores the significance of its recent partnership with Alaska Airlines, which operates out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
The Manila-Seattle route was inaugurated in October 2024, and it remains the only direct flight connecting the Philippines to the US Pacific Northwest.
It is also PAL’s eighth destination in the US and Canada, reflecting the airline’s long-term commitment to fostering business and tourism growth between the Philippines and the United States.
Beginning November 25, PAL will add flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in addition to its current schedule of Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, thereby accommodating rising demand for travel to and from the US West Coast.
PAL President Richard Nuttall remarked on the decision to increase flight frequencies, stating, “Our decision to increase frequencies to Seattle highlights the importance of the U.S. market to the Philippine Airlines global network, and in particular the great value of Seattle as a gateway, not just to the Washington and Oregon areas, but to cities across the United States that we can now serve through our ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines.”
The surge in capacity is expected to also enhance cargo services, with an additional 40 tons of capacity per week on the Manila-Seattle route.
Philippine Airlines has a rich history in the US, dating back to its first flight in 1946.
It became the first Asian airline to operate in the US, commencing scheduled services between Manila and San Francisco with a DC-4.
Recently, the airline marked a milestone by transitioning its Manila-New York JFK route to nonstop service, setting a record for its longest flight.
Following the route expansion to Seattle, PAL operates its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which can accommodate up to 370 passengers.
This fleet configuration includes 42 business class seats in a 2-3-2 layout with lie-flat options, and 328 economy class seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration with a seat pitch of 33 inches.
PAL currently possesses a fleet of ten Boeing 777-300ERs, which have a favorable average aircraft age of 11.5 years.
The airline added two more of these planes to its fleet in 2024, previously utilized by Garuda Indonesia.
From late November, the Manila-Seattle service schedule will operate flights every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
In addition to the Boeing 777-300ER, PAL flies other long-haul widebody aircraft such as the Airbus A330-300 and A350-900.
The airline is set to expand further with the introduction of the A350-1000, with plans to acquire up to nine units starting with the first delivery expected by the end of 2025.
This new addition will serve as PAL’s flagship long-haul service featuring 42 high-quality business suites and an additional 24-seat premium economy cabin.
image source from：simpleflying
