Philippine Airlines Expands US Network with Chicago Flights

New nonstop service from Manila to Chicago starts in November.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale and streamlined design of an international airport terminal, conveying the excitement and momentum of expanding global air travel connections.PAL's new nonstop flights from Manila to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport will open up more travel options between the Philippines and the American Midwest.Chicago Today

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier of the Philippines, has announced the launch of nonstop flights between Manila and Chicago starting on November 9. This new route will be PAL's eighth destination in the United States as the airline continues to expand its trans-Pacific network.

Why it matters

The addition of Chicago to PAL's US route map represents a strategic move to tap into the large Filipino-American population in the Midwest and provide more convenient travel options for both business and leisure travelers between the Philippines and the US. Chicago's status as a major global hub also makes it an attractive new destination for PAL.

The details

The new Manila-Chicago flights will operate nonstop, with PAL using wide-body aircraft for the approximately 15-hour journey. The route is expected to be popular with Filipino expatriates living in the Chicago area as well as American tourists and business travelers looking to access the Philippines.

  • PAL will begin the new Manila-Chicago nonstop service on November 9, 2026.

The players

Philippine Airlines (PAL)

The national flag carrier airline of the Philippines, operating domestic and international passenger and cargo services from its hubs in Manila and Cebu.

Chicago

The third-largest city in the United States, located in the Midwest state of Illinois, and a major global transportation and business hub.

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What’s next

PAL has not yet announced specific flight schedules or ticket pricing for the new Manila-Chicago route, but is expected to release those details in the coming months as the launch date approaches.

The takeaway

PAL's expansion into the Chicago market demonstrates the airline's ambition to grow its presence in the lucrative US travel market and better serve the large Filipino-American community in the Midwest region.