Philippine Airlines makes Seattle its 6th US destination
Seattle is getting yet another new transpacific route.
This time, it's Philippine Airlines' new service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines. This new 6,661-mile route will commence on a three-times-weekly basis Oct. 2.
Flights will operate in both directions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a 370-seat Boeing 777-300ER. This jet features 42 lie-flat business-class seats and 328 economy seats.
Unfortunately, the onboard experience on the airline's Boeing 777 is quite outdated, with the biz cabin arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration with middle seats and no direct aisle access from all seats in the cabin. The economy cabin is arranged in a 3-4-3 layout. (PAL expects to refresh its long-haul fleet and cabins with upcoming Airbus A350 deliveries next year.)
Seattle becomes PAL's sixth destination in the U.S., joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu and Guam.
"Our Manila-Seattle-Manila flights give us a valuable opportunity to promote our beautiful island country as a flourishing tourist and business destination for American travellers. We also look forward to serving Filipinos who hope to reunite with family members or experience new travel adventures in the vibrant U.S. Pacific Northwest," PAL president and chief operating officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng said in a statement about the new route.
PAL explains that the new Seattle flight will cater to VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic in Washington and Oregon, which are home to more than 240,000 Filipino Americans. The flight should also help funnel tourists and business travelers to the Philippines, according to the airline.
Interestingly, Seattle-to-Manila flights have been in the works for years. First announced in January 2020, Philippine Airlines was planning to add Seattle service in May 2020. Of course, that announcement came just weeks before the coronavirus pandemic effectively shut down the travel industry. (United Airlines wasn't happy about this PAL announcement because United wanted to expand in Manila, which it has since done with new flights from San Francisco.)
Because of the pandemic, PAL shelved its plans to launch Seattle service. But now, more than four years later, PAL thinks that there's enough demand for travel from the Pacific Northwest to the Philippines.
To celebrate the launch, the carrier is offering introductory airfares starting at $771 for economy and $3,071 for business class.
This new route continues to expand Seattle's portfolio of transpacific flights. Over the last few months, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Starlux Airlines announced new service from Seattle to Taipei.
The Manila market will remain a monopoly for PAL, but there will be plenty of one-stop options for travelers looking to fly between Seattle and the Philippines.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees