Philippine Airlines launches historic direct route to Chicago. Photo: Shutterstock The national airline of the Philippines, Philippine Airlines (PAL), is expanding its international flight network with the planned opening today (Monday, November 9, 2026) of a new direct route between Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and Chicago in the United States.
This is the first route offering scheduled non-stop passenger flights between the two cities, connecting the Philippines directly to one of the largest airport hubs in the American Midwest for the first time.
The new line is expected to operate three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft, designed for long-haul flights.
Philippine Airlines launches direct and historic route to Chicago. Photo: ShutterstockThe flights will depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
According to a statement from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, the scheduled flight time from Manila to Chicago is approximately 14 hours and 45 minutes.
In the opposite direction, the flight from Chicago to Manila is expected to take about 16 hours and 15 minutes.
Flights from Manila are scheduled to depart in the afternoon and arrive in Chicago in the afternoon, local time. Return flights will depart from Chicago in the evening.
The Airbus A350 aircraft offer several service classes, including Business Class, upgraded Economy Class and Economy Class, with in-flight food and beverage services.
With the opening of the new route, Chicago will become Philippine Airlines' eighth destination in the United States and its territories, alongside Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Honolulu, Guam and Saipan.
The expansion strengthens the company's position in the trans-Pacific flight market and expands connection options between the United States and the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.
According to the Philippine Consulate, the line is expected to be particularly significant for the large Filipino community in Chicago and nearby states, allowing for family visits and business trips without the need for a stopover.
Beyond the direct connection between the two cities, the new line is expected to allow passengers arriving from Chicago to continue from Manila to additional destinations in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia.
Manila serves as the main hub for Philippine Airlines, which operates a network of domestic and international routes to tourist attractions, business centers, and regional destinations.
For tourists from the Philippines as well, the new line is expected to improve accessibility to Chicago, known for its impressive architecture, museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions, along with its importance as a business and aviation center.
The official announcement from the Philippine Consulate stated that the line is expected to contribute to tourism, trade, and strengthening economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and the Midwestern region of the United States.
The planned launch joins Philippine Airlines' expansion efforts in North America and illustrates the continued development of long-haul routes between Asia and the United States.