In a milestone for both business and leisure travelers, Philippine Airlines’ first nonstop service to New York City in 18 years landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, March 16. That evening, dignitaries, airline executives, travelers and media gathered to celebrate the new route—PAL’s fifth U.S. gateway alongside Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam.
Operated in coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism, the new New York–Vancouver–Manila service launched as part of the airline’s 74th anniversary. The flight operates four times weekly from JFK Terminal 1 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Departing New York at 11:00 a.m., the service stops in Vancouver, arriving at 1:50 p.m., and then continues to Manila with a 3:20 p.m. departure, crossing the International Date Line and arriving the following evening at approximately 8:35 p.m. Return flights from Manila operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The route is flown with Airbus A340-300 aircraft and showcases Philippine Airlines’ signature hospitality. Economy passengers can upgrade to Choice Seats located in exit, bulkhead and forward rows, and the checked baggage allowance is increased to two pieces per passenger. The business-class cabin offers fully flat seats, audio-video-on-demand entertainment and meals created by a Chef’s Conclave featuring international guest chefs. Premium travelers have access to Mabuhay lounge facilities in Manila, and PAL iNAir onboard WiFi is available for download.
Philippine Airlines previously suspended service to New York in 1997 after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration downgraded the Philippines to a Category 2 safety rating. Since then PAL has made significant safety and operational improvements, including successfully passing an International Civil Aviation Organization audit, modernizing its fleet to an average age of under three years and achieving on-time performance levels around 80 percent.
The return of direct service to New York is particularly meaningful for Filipino-American communities along the U.S. East Coast. An estimated 500,000 people of Filipino heritage live across the New York–New Jersey metropolitan area, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the Philadelphia region, all of whom benefit from more convenient travel options to the Philippines.
“This is exciting news for East Coast travelers who now have access to convenient flight options to Manila,” said Mitchelle Dy, director of the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York. “Passengers can also connect easily to the Central Philippines and its island destinations, from the pristine ecosystems of Palawan to the historic sites of Cebu and the celebrated beaches of Boracay.”
The launch coincided with Visit Philippines Year 2015, a campaign that promoted the tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” through a year of events and promotions. International arrivals to the Philippines have been rising as the country’s economy continues to grow, with the United States among the top inbound markets.
Visitors to the Philippines can enjoy a wide range of experiences—natural attractions, cultural heritage, world-class beaches, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), cruising, educational travel and diving. The country is investing in improved access across its island destinations and offers diverse accommodations and activities, along with five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many protected natural areas.