Philippine Airlines has revealed the introduction of a new route to the United States, with direct flights between Manila (MNL) and Chicago (ORD) scheduled to begin on November 9, 2026. This ultra long haul journey, spanning 8,132 miles, will rank among the longest in the world, approximately holding the 25th spot. The service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, utilizing an Airbus A350-900, which has a capacity of 295 passengers spread across business, premium economy, and economy classes.
The flight timetable is as follows:
– PR132 Manila to Chicago departs at 4:40PM and lands at 4:45PM.
– PR133 Chicago to Manila leaves at 10:45PM and touches down at 5:25AM (+2 days).
Tickets are presently available for booking. This new route follows Philippine Airlines’ recent growth initiatives, including the unveiling of a Seattle route in late 2024. The airline, which emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2021, is revitalizing its fleet with new Airbus A350-1000s to support its growth strategy.
Chicago, boasting a large Filipino community, serves as a strategic enhancement to Philippine Airlines’ US destinations, which currently include Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan, San Francisco, and Seattle. The airline’s expansion into Chicago is aimed at improving connectivity to the Midwest and reinforcing connections to regional and domestic markets via its Manila hub.
Philippine Airlines President Richard Nuttall emphasizes the significance of Chicago as a major US hub, highlighting the advantages of direct connectivity and the establishment of essential links through the new service. Although not affiliated with a large global alliance, Philippine Airlines maintains competitive fares across the Pacific, serving both local and international customers.