United Airlines announced a new historic route connecting American travelers to the Philippines, according to a press release from the carrier.
Beginning in October, the airline will begin serving flights from San Francisco to Manila. United Airlines is the first United States carrier to offer direct flights from the United States into the southeast Asian country.
The announcement came along with promises of additional route expansion to other countries. United Airlines also will connect travelers to 15 other destinations this winter throughout the Pacific. The new long-haul flights will make United Airlines’ transpacific network 50 percent larger than all other U.S. airlines combined, according to the PR Newswire.
“United offers more flights to more destinations across the Pacific than all other U.S. airlines combined,” said Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ senior vice president of global network planning and alliances. “United is the flag carrier of the U.S. and we are excited to bring this new service to Manila while expanding access to Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo.”
Due to strict government regulations, flight expansion into China is limited. However, United Airlines is touching many other destinations and ensuring American travelers have access to feasible routes. The carrier began initial expansions earlier this year by increasing U.S. flights to Australia and New Zealand by 40 percent. According to the press release, the airline has increased flights across the Atlantic by 32 percent since 2019.
Now, United Airlines has its eyes set on building more infrastructure around expansion in the Pacific. Quayle says the opportunity for expansion is ripe and plentiful as the carrier enters into new territory.
“In general, the Pacific is as strong, if not stronger, than the Atlantic today,” he said.
Flights from San Francisco to Manila are already on sale on United Airlines’ website. However, the Philippines route isn’t the only United flight making its way across the Pacific. The carrier will also resume nonstop flights from LA to Tokyo/Narita as well as adding routes from LA to Tokyo-Haneda. There will also be two new daily flights from San Francisco to Taipei. United’s new and expanded Pacific routes will begin in October.
