Key Takeaways
• Philippine Airlines expands Manila-Seattle flights from three to five weekly starting November 25, 2025.
• New aircraft Airbus A350-1000 will join Boeing 777-300ER on route, increasing comfort and cargo capacity to 40 tons weekly.
• PAL partners with Alaska Airlines for seamless US connections to over 100 cities after Seattle layovers.
Philippine Airlines Expands Manila–Seattle Flights: What Travelers, Businesses, and the Filipino Community Need to Know
Philippine Airlines is making a major move that will impact travelers, businesses, and the large Filipino-American community in the United States 🇺🇸. Starting November 25, 2025, Philippine Airlines will increase its nonstop flights between Manila and Seattle from three to five times per week. This expansion brings more choices, better connections, and new opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Pacific.

Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and how it could affect you—whether you’re planning a trip, shipping goods, or looking to reconnect with family.
What’s Changing: More Flights, More Options
Who: Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Philippines 🇵🇭
What: Expanding nonstop flights between Manila and Seattle
When: New schedule starts November 25, 2025
Where: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Why: To meet growing demand from travelers, businesses, and the Filipino-American community
How: Adding flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for a total of five flights per week
Key Details:
– New Flight Days: Flights will now operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday in both directions.
– Aircraft: The route uses the Boeing 777-300ER, which seats 370 passengers. By late 2025, the Airbus A350-1000 will join the route, offering even more comfort and efficiency.
– Cargo: Weekly cargo capacity will rise to 40 tons, helping support trade between the Philippines 🇵🇭 and United States 🇺🇸.
Why This Matters: The Only Direct Link Between the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific Northwest
The Manila–Seattle route is unique. It’s the only nonstop flight connecting the Philippines 🇵🇭 directly to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This is important for several reasons:
- Large Filipino-American Community: Washington State is home to nearly 195,000 Filipino-Americans, making it one of the largest Filipino communities in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Business and Trade: The United States 🇺🇸 and the Philippines 🇵🇭 traded $23.47 billion in goods in 2024, with strong growth in recent years.
- Tourism and Family Visits: More flights mean it’s easier for families to visit each other, for tourists to explore, and for business travelers to connect.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this expansion is a direct response to the strong demand from all these groups.
How the New Schedule Works
Starting November 25, 2025, Philippine Airlines will operate five weekly flights between Manila and Seattle. Here’s what the schedule looks like:
From Manila (Flight PR 124):
– Departs: 10:40 p.m.
– Arrives in Seattle: 7:35 p.m. (same day, local time)
From Seattle (Flight PR 125):
– Departs: 11:30 p.m.
– Arrives in Manila: 4:05 a.m. (two days later, local time due to time difference)
Days of Operation:
– Tuesday
– Wednesday
– Thursday
– Friday
– Sunday
This schedule gives travelers more flexibility to choose the day that works best for them.
Better Connections Across the United States 🇺🇸
Philippine Airlines has a codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines, which is based in Seattle. This means you can book a single ticket from Manila to Seattle and then connect to over 100 cities across the United States 🇺🇸 on Alaska Airlines. Your bags are checked through, and you don’t need to worry about separate bookings.
Examples of easy onward connections from Seattle:
– Los Angeles
– Chicago
– Dallas
– Miami
– New York
This partnership makes it much easier for both Filipino and American travelers to reach their final destinations.
What’s New for Passengers: Comfort and Convenience
Aircraft Upgrade:
By late 2025, Philippine Airlines plans to introduce the Airbus A350-1000 on the Manila–Seattle route. This new plane is known for being quieter, more fuel-efficient, and offering a better passenger experience. It will feature 42 premium business suites, giving business travelers and those seeking extra comfort a new level of service.
More Seats, More Choices:
With five flights per week and larger, more modern planes, there will be more seats available in both business and economy class. This should help keep fares competitive and make it easier to find a seat, even during busy travel seasons.
Booking Made Simple:
You can book flights directly on the Philippine Airlines website, through travel agents, or by calling their U.S. customer service at +1-800-I-FLY-PAL (1-800-435-9725).
Cargo and Trade: Supporting Business Growth
The expanded flight schedule isn’t just good news for travelers. It’s also a big boost for businesses that rely on air cargo.
Key Points:
– Cargo Capacity: Up to 40 tons per week between Manila and Seattle.
– Industries Served: Semiconductors, electronics, critical minerals, and other high-value goods.
– Business Impact: U.S. companies like FedEx are expanding operations in the Philippines 🇵🇭, and the increased cargo capacity helps support this growth.
If you’re a business looking to ship goods between the Philippines 🇵🇭 and United States 🇺🇸, you can contact PAL Cargo at [email protected] for more information.
Why the Expansion Now? Market Demand and Strategic Growth
Philippine Airlines launched the Manila–Seattle route in 2024, and it quickly became popular. The airline saw strong demand from tourists, business travelers, and cargo shippers. U.S.–Philippines trade is growing, and more people are traveling between the two countries for work, study, and family reasons.
PAL President Richard Nuttall explained:
“Our decision to increase frequency to Seattle highlights the importance of the US market to the Philippine Airlines global network, and in particular the great value of Seattle as a gateway, not just to the Washington and Oregon areas, but to cities across the United States that we can now serve through the ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines.”
This shows that Philippine Airlines sees Seattle as a key hub for reaching the rest of the United States 🇺🇸.
The Filipino-American Community: Easier Family Reunions
For the nearly 195,000 Filipino-Americans living in Washington State, more flights mean it’s easier to visit family, attend special events, or return home for holidays. The expanded schedule also helps people in neighboring states like Oregon and Idaho, who can now reach Manila with just one stop in Seattle.
Benefits for the community:
– More flight options for family visits
– Easier travel for students and workers
– Better access to cultural and community events
Business and Trade: New Opportunities
The United States 🇺🇸 and the Philippines 🇵🇭 have a strong trade relationship, especially in goods like electronics, semiconductors, and minerals. The increased cargo capacity on the Manila–Seattle route supports this trade and helps businesses on both sides grow.
Key facts:
– U.S.–Philippines trade reached $23.47 billion in 2024.
– There was a 23.6% increase in goods trade in 2021.
– The expanded route helps U.S. companies invest in Philippine infrastructure and logistics.
Businesses can now move goods faster and more reliably, which is important for industries that rely on quick delivery.
Competitive Advantage: PAL’s Unique Position
Philippine Airlines is the only carrier offering nonstop flights between Manila and Seattle. Other airlines, like Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines, do not have direct flights on this route. This gives PAL a strong advantage, especially for travelers who want to avoid long layovers or extra stops.
PAL’s North American Network:
– New York
– Los Angeles
– San Francisco
– Vancouver
– Toronto
– Honolulu
– Guam
– Seattle
With eight destinations in North America, PAL is well-positioned to serve both leisure and business travelers.
Challenges and Things to Watch
While the expansion is good news, there are some challenges and risks to keep in mind:
- Airport Slots: Getting enough takeoff and landing slots at busy airports like Seattle can be difficult.
- Trade Policies: Changes in U.S. trade preferences, like the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), could affect cargo volumes.
- Labor and Infrastructure: Ongoing labor talks and airport capacity at both ends may impact operations.
Philippine Airlines and its partners will need to manage these issues to keep the route running smoothly.
How to Book and Connect
Step 1: Booking Your Flight
– Visit the Philippine Airlines website or use a travel agent.
– Choose your travel dates—remember, flights now run five days a week.
– If you need to connect to another U.S. city, look for codeshare flights with Alaska Airlines for a seamless trip.
Step 2: Checking the Schedule
– From Manila: PR 124 departs at 10:40 p.m., arrives in Seattle at 7:35 p.m.
– From Seattle: PR 125 departs at 11:30 p.m., arrives in Manila at 4:05 a.m.
Step 3: Shipping Cargo
– Contact PAL Cargo at [email protected] for rates and schedules.
– Take advantage of expanded cargo space and interline trucking partnerships for door-to-door delivery.
Financial and Operational Performance
Philippine Airlines is seeing strong results from its international routes. In the first quarter of 2025, the airline reported a net income of $77 million and carried 4.1 million passengers—a 5% increase from the previous year. The move to newer, more efficient planes like the Airbus A350-1000 is expected to lower costs and help the airline stay competitive.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for PAL and the Manila–Seattle Route?
The expansion of the Manila–Seattle route is part of a bigger plan by Philippine Airlines to modernize its fleet and grow its network. The airline is investing in new planes, building stronger partnerships, and looking for new opportunities in the United States 🇺🇸.
Possible future developments:
– More flights or new U.S. destinations
– Further upgrades to planes and passenger experience
– Continued focus on cargo and trade growth
The outcome of U.S. trade policy talks and airport slot allocations will play a big role in shaping the future of this route.
Official Resources and Where to Get More Information
For the latest updates, schedules, and booking information, visit the Philippine Airlines official website. You can also find press releases and news about the Manila–Seattle route here.
For information about U.S. travel requirements, including visas and customs, check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
What This Means for You: Practical Takeaways
- Travelers: Enjoy more choices, better connections, and improved comfort on flights between Manila and Seattle.
- Businesses: Take advantage of increased cargo space and faster shipping for goods between the Philippines 🇵🇭 and United States 🇺🇸.
- Filipino-American Community: Benefit from easier family visits and stronger ties to the Philippines 🇵🇭.
- Competitors: Other airlines will need to keep up with PAL’s direct service and strong partnerships.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this expansion is a smart move that meets real needs and strengthens the link between Southeast Asia and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Summary Table: Manila–Seattle Route Expansion (2025)
Feature | Before Nov 2025 | From Nov 25, 2025 |
---|---|---|
Weekly Frequency | 3 | 5 |
Days of Operation | Tue, Fri, Sun | Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun |
Aircraft | B777-300ER | B777-300ER / A350-1000* |
Seats per Flight | 370 | 370 (A350: 42 suites) |
Cargo Capacity (weekly) | ~24 tons | Up to 40 tons |
U.S. Partner | Alaska Airlines | Alaska Airlines |
North America Destinations | 8 | 8 |
*Airbus A350-1000 to be introduced late 2025.
Final Thoughts
The expanded Philippine Airlines Manila–Seattle route is more than just a new flight schedule. It’s a bridge connecting families, businesses, and cultures across the Pacific. With more flights, better planes, and strong partnerships, PAL is making it easier for people and goods to move between the Philippines 🇵🇭 and United States 🇺🇸. Whether you’re planning a trip, shipping products, or looking to reconnect with loved ones, these changes offer new possibilities and greater convenience.
For the most current information, always check official airline and government websites before you travel or ship goods. This will help you stay up to date on schedules, requirements, and any changes that may affect your plans.
Learn Today
Philippine Airlines → The national flag carrier of the Philippines offering passenger and cargo air services.
Airbus A350-1000 → A modern, fuel-efficient widebody aircraft providing improved comfort and higher cargo capacity.
Boeing 777-300ER → A large long-range aircraft seating 370 passengers used on the Manila-Seattle route.
Codeshare Partnership → An agreement where airlines share flight codes to allow seamless travel under one ticket.
Cargo Capacity → The maximum weight of goods an aircraft can carry on each flight.
This Article in a Nutshell
Philippine Airlines grows Manila-Seattle nonstop flights to five weekly in November 2025, enhancing travel, trade, and community connections. The route’s new Airbus A350 boosts comfort and cargo capacity. With Alaska Airlines partnership, travelers gain easy access across the US, supporting Filipino-American families, businesses, and tourism trade growth between countries.
— By VisaVerge.com