United seeks to block Philippine Airlines’ new Seattle flight until it can expand in Manila
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
United Airlines wants to hit the pause button on Philippines Airlines’ plan to add flights to Seattle until it can secure its own access for more flights to Manila.
The Chicago-based carrier wants the U.S. Department of Transportation to defer approving Philippines Airlines’ request to add flights between Manila (MNL) and Seattle (SEA) in May, it said in a filing on Monday. United wants the regulator to hold off until it can secure the necessary slots and infrastructure it needs to add a second daily flight between Guam (GUM) and Manila.
The U.S. and Philippines do not have an open skies agreement, meaning the DOT must sign off on Philippines Airlines’ proposed service to Seattle.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
“It is in the public interest to grant [Philippine Airlines’] application for additional authority to expand service only when United is able to expand service as well,” United said.
The Star Alliance carrier said that its requests for the “slots and other airport infrastructure necessary” to add a second Guam flight have been denied by the Manila airport, even as Philippine Airlines has been able to add service to the U.S.
The number of Philippine Airlines flights between Manila and the U.S. jumped by nearly a quarter to an average of more than six-per-day in 2019, up from less than five-per-day the year before, according to Cirium schedule data. New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO) saw the largest increases.
Related: Philippine Airlines to add new flights to Seattle, Los Angeles
The Manila-based carrier plans to offer three weekly flights between Manila and Seattle with an Airbus A350 starting in May.
United, by comparison, operates just nine flights a week to Manila: a daily flight from its Guam hub, and a twice-weekly flight from Palau (ROR), Cirium shows.
Philippines Airlines and United compete on the Guam-Manila route, according to the data.
Featured image by Edward Russell/TPG.
Related: The 10 longest (and 10 shortest) United Airlines flights
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,600
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 3X points on dining and 2x points on travel, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.