Philippine Airlines adds Chicago A350s

Philippine Airlines will start nonstop Manila-Chicago flights on November 9, giving the Midwest its first direct link to the Philippines on the carrier’s network. (philippineairlines.com) The airline said the route will run three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with afternoon departures from Manila and evening returns from Chicago O’Hare. Philippine Airlines will use its Airbus A350-900 on the route. (philippineairlines.com) Philippine Airlines said round-trip Economy base fares start at $667 for tickets booked from April 16 through May 31, 2026. On its U.S. promotions page, the carrier is advertising the Chicago-Manila launch at $1,159 roundtrip all-in, a higher figure that includes taxes and fees. (philippineairlines.com 1) (philippineairlines.com 2) Chicago becomes Philippine Airlines’ eighth destination across the United States and its territories, joining Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Guam and Saipan. The airline said the new service extends its U.S. reach into the Midwest through O’Hare, one of the country’s biggest connecting hubs. (philippineairlines.com) (chicago.gov) The route also gives Chicago-area travelers a nonstop option into Manila instead of connecting through West Coast airports or other Asian hubs. Philippine Airlines said passengers can continue beyond Manila to domestic destinations including Palawan, Cebu, Boracay and Davao, and to cities such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai. (chicago.gov) Chicago officials framed the service as an economic and cultural link as well as an air route. The Chicago Department of Aviation said the flights support tourism, cargo and business ties between the Midwest and the Philippines. (chicago.gov) (philippineairlines.com) The fare language matters because the launch offer is being marketed two ways at once: a lower base fare in the airline’s route announcement and a higher all-in fare on its booking pages. For travelers comparing deals, that means the advertised starting price changes depending on whether taxes and surcharges are included. (philippineairlines.com 1) (philippineairlines.com 2) For now, the immediate change is simple: Chicago joins Philippine Airlines’ map on November 9, and nonstop seats are already on sale for the winter travel season. (philippineairlines.com)