Philippine Airlines has filed an application with the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) to launch a new route to Chicago.
Philippine Airlines has filed an application with the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) to launch a new route to Chicago.
In its application filed with the US DOT on February 24, 2026, the Philippine flag carrier is seeking an exemption that would enable the launch of a new route between Manila and Chicago. With plans to launch the Manila-Chicago route during the Summer 2026 IATA season, the airline is seeking expedited approval of its request to start sales.
The airline stated the Philippines (Republic of the Philippines) has selected Chicago as one of the four points to be chosen under a provision in the Air Service Agreement between the Philippines and the United States (US-Philippines Air Service Agreement).
Philippine Airlines quoted the provision which authorizes carriers of the Philippines to operate scheduled air service on the following routing: “From the Philippines via intermediate points to Honolulu, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guam, Saipan, and four additional points in the United States to be selected by the Government of the Philippines.”
“The service proposed by PAL is consistent with the public interest. In addition to being authorized under the terms of the US-Philippines Air Service Agreement, this service will open an entirely new gateway for scheduled US-Philippine services and will offer passengers traveling from the Philippines to Chicago and the Midwest an important new service option.”
If approved, Philippine Airlines would return to Chicago after an absence of around three decades.
Philippine Airlines currently operates flights from Manila to six destinations in the US: Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York-JFK, Guam, and Honolulu. In addition, the airline also operates direct flights between Cebu and Guam.
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