Philippine Airlines Chicago to Manila: Nonstop Flights Starting November 2026

Philippine Airlines is launching nonstop flights from Chicago to Manila on November 9, 2026. For the Filipino community across the Midwest, this is genuinely big news. For the first time, you will be able to fly directly from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Manila (MNL) without a single connection.

The new Philippine Airlines Chicago to Manila route makes Chicago the airline’s eighth US destination, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Honolulu, Guam, and Saipan. It also makes Philippine Airlines the Southeast Asian carrier with the broadest reach into the U.S. mainland and island territories.

If you have been flying home to the Philippines via a connection through the West Coast or Tokyo, that changes in November. Here is everything you need to know.

Quick Facts: Philippine Airlines Chicago to Manila

• Launch date: November 9, 2026
• Route: Chicago O’Hare (ORD) ↔ Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)
• Frequency: 3 flights per week — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 (295 seats)
• Cabin classes: Business Class, Premium Economy, Economy
• Flight time: approximately 14 hours 15 minutes to Chicago; 16 hours 40 minutes to Manila
• Introductory fare: from $1,159 roundtrip in Economy (book between April 16 and May 31, 2026)
• Departure from Chicago: evening
• Arrival in Manila: early next morning
• Departure from Manila: afternoon
• Arrival in Chicago: same afternoon (local time)

Why the Chicago–Manila Route Makes a Difference

Illinois is home to approximately 174,000 Filipinos, according to the most recent American Community Survey data. Chicago itself ranks seventh among US cities for Filipino population. This community has been flying home to the Philippines via connecting flights for decades. Until now, that meant routing through Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or an Asian hub like Tokyo or Seoul before reaching Manila.

The new nonstop route changes the equation entirely for Midwest-based Filipino Americans. It also opens up direct access for travelers across Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the broader Midwest who can connect through O’Hare, one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the world.

Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, put it directly: “Chicago is considered one of the premier hubs in the United States, and our entry into this vibrant city will provide direct connectivity to the Midwest.”

The Aircraft: Airbus A350-900

PAL will operate the route with its Airbus A350-900 — a wide-body, long-haul aircraft well-suited to transpacific flying. The plane seats 295 passengers across three cabins.

Business Class offers 30 seats with fully flat beds — ideal for a long overnight flight westbound from Chicago. Premium Economy provides 24 seats with additional legroom, wider seats, and enhanced meal service. Economy Class seats account for 241 seats and include PAL’s standard in-flight entertainment, meals, and complimentary checked baggage.

For diaspora travelers flying home with extra luggage (pasalubong, gifts, personal belongings), Philippine Airlines’ generous baggage policy is one of the practical advantages of flying with the national carrier over some of its competitors on this route.

Flight Schedule: What to Expect

The westbound flight from Chicago departs in the evening and arrives in Manila early the following morning. The schedule is well-suited to overnight long-haul travel. You leave after work or dinner, sleep on the plane, and land in Manila ready to start your trip.

The eastbound return from Manila departs in the afternoon and lands in Chicago the same afternoon (local time), thanks to crossing the International Date Line. This is convenient for travelers who want to make the most of their last full day in the Philippines before heading to the airport.

Flights operate three times a week in both directions: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When planning your trip, note that these are the only nonstop departure days, so flexibility around those three days will help with booking.

Introductory Fares: Book Before May 31

To mark the launch, Philippine Airlines is offering introductory fares starting at $1,159 roundtrip in Economy. This promotional pricing is available for bookings made between April 16 and May 31, 2026, for travel on the new route.

Introductory fares on new long-haul routes tend not to last. Once the promotional window closes and the route settles into regular pricing, fares typically rise. If you are planning a trip home to the Philippines for the holidays, a family reunion, or a long-overdue visit, booking during this window is worth considering.

ASAP Tickets has a direct partnership with Philippine Airlines and access to fares that aren’t always visible on standard booking sites. So, call us at 1-844-300-7983, and we will compare the current pricing for your specific dates and travel preferences.

Connecting Onward from Manila

One of the advantages of flying with Philippine Airlines is the onward connection through its Manila hub. From Manila, PAL operates domestic routes to some of the Philippines’ most popular destinations, including Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, and Davao. So, you can easily continue your journey without rebooking on a separate carrier.

For travelers heading elsewhere in Asia, PAL also connects Manila to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Shanghai, among other regional cities.

If you are planning a trip that combines a family visit with island-hopping in Palawan or a beach holiday in Boracay, flying into Manila on the direct Chicago route and connecting domestically is the most seamless option available. For more on what to do once you arrive, our Philippines travel guides cover the country’s best destinations in detail.

How the Chicago Route Fits Into PAL’s U.S. Network

The Chicago launch is part of Philippine Airlines’ broader expansion across the United States. The airline has been steadily building its U.S. mainland presence:

• Los Angeles (LAX): PAL’s primary West Coast gateway, with increased frequencies from June 2026
• San Francisco (SFO): A key West Coast hub serving Northern California and the Bay Area
• Seattle (SEA): Nonstop service launched in October 2024 — read our guide to the Seattle–Manila direct route for full details
• New York (JFK): East Coast service connecting the large Filipino-American community in the Northeast
• Honolulu (HNL): Serving Hawaii’s significant Filipino population
• Guam and Saipan: U.S. territories with strong Filipino community ties
• Chicago (ORD): Launching November 9, 2026

Together, these routes form the most extensive US network operated by any Southeast Asian carrier. For a full picture of how to reach the Philippines from across the US, including the best connecting routes from cities not yet served by direct PAL flights, see our guide to the best routes to the Philippines from the USA.

Who Is This Route For?

Filipino Americans in the Midwest are the primary audience for this route. If you live in Chicago, the suburbs, or anywhere in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan, O’Hare is almost certainly your most accessible hub. The new nonstop eliminates the need to connect westward to Los Angeles or San Francisco before heading to Manila — a routing that would add several hours to what is already a long journey.

First-time travelers to the Philippines flying from the Midwest will also benefit significantly. A nonstop flight is simpler, less tiring, and reduces the risk of missed connections on a route where a missed layover can cost you a full day.

Business travelers connecting between Chicago’s corporate hub and Manila or onward to Asia Pacific cities will find the schedule practical. The evening departure from Chicago suits a full working day before travel, and the afternoon Manila departure on the return allows for a productive morning before heading to the airport.

How Long Should You Plan for a Trip to the Philippines?

If you are making the journey from Chicago to Manila (approximately 16 hours and 40 minutes westbound), it is worth making the most of the trip. A minimum of ten days on the ground gives you time to recover from the flight and genuinely explore. Two weeks is more comfortable if you want to combine Manila with island destinations like Palawan or Cebu.

The best time to visit the Philippines depends on where you are going and what you want to do. For beach travel and island hopping, November through May offers the driest conditions across most of the country. December through February is the coolest and most comfortable period for city visits. For more on timing your trip, our guide to the cheapest months to fly to the Philippines breaks down the full year by season and price.

Book Through ASAP Tickets

ASAP Tickets is an official partner of Philippine Airlines and holds direct contracts with the carrier. That means access to fares, including on the new Chicago-to-Manila route, that are not available on standard booking websites.

Our agents speak Tagalog and Cebuano and are available 24/7 to help you plan your trip, compare cabin classes, check baggage allowances, and find the best available price for your travel dates. Call us toll-free at 1-844-300-7983 or visit asaptickets.com to get a free quote for Philippine Airlines flights from Chicago to Manila.

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