United Airlines yesterday said it will launch nonstop daily flights from Manila to San Francisco in California starting this October, competing with flag carrier Philippines Airlines’ (PAL) transpacific operation.
The new flight is subject to government approval and it will be the airline’s first-ever trans-Pacific service from Manila since it started its Manila operation in 1982.
Wally Dias, United’s regional director of sales for Greater China, Korea and Southeast Asia, said the airline will launch the new nonstop service to meet strong requests from customers on both sides of the Pacific.
“With this new nonstop service, we will be able to offer our Manila customers not only the convenient daily nonstop service to San Francisco but also more than 70 one-stop destinations in the mainland US, Canada, and Latin America via our hub in San Francisco,” Dias said, citing its more than 40 years of history in the Manila market.
The Civil Aviation Board said in a statement United’s opening of a new route will give travelers more options, especially that the US is home to millions of Filipinos.
PAL said it welcomes the additional competition on the transpacific routes, noting this as a sign of the strength and vitality of the air travel market between the Philippines and the US.
United’s first westbound flight from San Francisco to Manila will depart on October 29.
All flights will utilize the B777-300ER aircraft offering 60 seats in the United Polaris business cabin, 24 seats in the United Premium Plus cabin and 266 seats in its conomy cabin.
United has more than 40 years of history in Manila since 1982, and currently operates nonstop service to Guam and Palau. With this new Manila-San Francisco daily nonstop service, United will be the only US airline connecting Manila and the continental US. – Myla Iglesias
