PAL cleared for Manila–Chicago

Philippine Airlines has been cleared by the United States Department of Transportation to start nonstop Manila-Chicago flights, opening the carrier’s first link to the American Midwest. (mb.com.ph) The airline filed for the route on February 24, 2026 and told regulators it wanted to begin service in the International Air Transport Association summer season, which runs from late March to late October. Its application said Chicago had been selected by the Philippine government as one of four additional United States points allowed under the two countries’ air service agreement. (regulations.gov) Direct service on this route still needed United States economic authority because foreign airlines cannot simply add flights to the country on their own. The Department of Transportation says foreign carriers must obtain that authority from the Office of the Secretary, often through a permit or a time-limited exemption. (transportation.gov) The Chicago push comes as Philippine Airlines adds more capacity on its biggest United States corridor. The carrier said in a November 13, 2025 statement that Manila-Los Angeles will rise from 14 to 18 weekly flights starting June 1, 2026, with three daily flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. (philippineairlines.com) That Los Angeles expansion sits inside a broader North America buildout. Philippine Airlines said the same plan included Seattle increasing from three to five weekly flights from November 25, 2025, while it already serves San Francisco daily, New York three times weekly, Honolulu five times weekly, and Guam daily. (philippineairlines.com) Chicago had been held up by a dispute over reciprocity rather than demand. Delta Air Lines told regulators in a March 11 filing that it did not oppose the route in principle, but asked the Department of Transportation to hold off until United States airlines had a clearer path to commercially viable slots in Manila. (regulations.gov) That objection eased on April 3. Delta withdrew its challenge after the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board said it would act favorably on a future Delta request for Manila access, though Delta still asked Washington to limit Philippine Airlines’ approval to one year. (business.inquirer.net) Chicago also gives Philippine Airlines a foothold in a market with airport access constraints but major long-haul demand. The Federal Aviation Administration said last month it was considering schedule limits at Chicago O’Hare to reduce overscheduling and delays during peak hours. (transportation.gov) For Philippine Airlines, the immediate next step is simpler than the regulatory fight that came before it: sell seats and start flying. Its February application said the carrier wanted expedited approval so it could commence sales as soon as the Department authorized the service. (regulations.gov)