United Airlines is already by far the strongest US airline across the Pacific, and the airline has today announced its latest expansion. In addition to a new Los Angeles to Hong Kong route, the airline is also launching a new San Francisco to Manila flight.
In this post:
United Airlines adds transpacific flight to Manila
As of October 29, 2023, United Airlines will launch a new daily, year-round flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Manila (MNL). The flight will operate with the following schedule:
UA191 San Francisco to Manila departing 12:35AM arriving 6:50AM (+1 day)
UA190 Manila to San Francisco departing 9:55AM arriving 7:20AM
The 6,987-mile flight is blocked at 15hr15min westbound and 12hr25min eastbound (those winds are strong!). United will use its largest plane for the route, which is a Boeing 777-300ER. That jet is configured with 350 seats, including 60 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, 62 extra legroom economy seats, and 204 economy class seats.
While this will be United’s first long haul flight to the Philippines, it won’t be the carrier’s first route to the country. United also flies to Manila from both Guam (GUM) and Palau (ROR).
Will United Airlines succeed with its new Manila route?
The Philippines is a tricky long haul aviation market. The country has a large population (over 110 million), but the challenge is that fares to and from the Philippines tend to be pretty low yield.
Currently Philippine Airlines dominates the long haul transpacific market to and from Manila. The carrier’s service to the United States and Canada includes flights to Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. Philippine Airlines is a bit of an oddball airline, as the airline doesn’t belong to any major alliance, and has fairly limited partnerships in North America, aside from basic interline agreements.
United Airlines has a huge advantage in terms of connectivity in North America, given the size of the carrier’s San Francisco hub. United will have no issues filling these flights, the question is what the yields will be like. I have to imagine that cargo is a big motivator for this route, given that United is immediately using its largest plane.
While United is by far the most adventurous of the “big three” US carriers when it comes to adding long haul flights, the airline rarely cancels new routes, so it has a good track record, and I’m sure there’s some reason United is jumping in the market now.
I love seeing United’s long haul growth. During the best of times, it seems like a great strategy. During the worst of times (whether it’s a major economic downturn or very high oil prices), well… good luck.
Bottom line
As of October 2023, United Airlines will launch a new daily nonstop flight between San Francisco and Manila. This complements United’s two short haul flights to Manila, and is also the only long haul service to Manila by a US airline. United’s network both across the Atlantic and Pacific is nothing short of amazing.
What do you make of United launching San Francisco to Manila flights?
Once the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan opens, that is when I would expect all of the United Airlines hub airports to follow through with direct flights between their respective hub airport and NMIA via Philippine Airlines and United Airlines. San Francisco has the route now, but I would expect Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, and Newark to also have direct flights between their respective hub airport and Manila via NMIA.
Congrats United airline , I will be flying United because it is very difficult to book a PAL online, they will not allow us to pick a seat, PAL should be sued or penalize for monopolizing this non stop flight with no competition at all. PAL schedule from MNL to LAX makes it impossible to transfer to domestic fflights & I & others have to sleep at LAX airport . This is what irks mostly....
Congrats United airline , I will be flying United because it is very difficult to book a PAL online, they will not allow us to pick a seat, PAL should be sued or penalize for monopolizing this non stop flight with no competition at all. PAL schedule from MNL to LAX makes it impossible to transfer to domestic fflights & I & others have to sleep at LAX airport . This is what irks mostly. While UNited have lots of connecting flights. Their service for disabled using wheelchair is making connections impossible with 16 customers on slow wheel chairs. Attendants are nice when one is flying from US, but opposite jekyl personality when flying from MNL to US.
PAL's business class cost more. Thank u United.
How much is the cost for the round-trip ticket SFO-MNL?
I booked my ticket for this flight, excited for it!
Great move by United Airlines since it will lower the cost of fares on both UA and PR and other airlines with transit. Elderly pax flying Philippine Airlines are forced to fly them because they do not want to transit elsewhere. Now even abled passengers can fly direct to Manila if the fares are reasonable enough compared to having a layover in Taipei, Seoul or Hongkong, etc. United will help lower the cost/fares and take...
Great move by United Airlines since it will lower the cost of fares on both UA and PR and other airlines with transit. Elderly pax flying Philippine Airlines are forced to fly them because they do not want to transit elsewhere. Now even abled passengers can fly direct to Manila if the fares are reasonable enough compared to having a layover in Taipei, Seoul or Hongkong, etc. United will help lower the cost/fares and take out the monopoly that PR is enjoying right now. It also reciprocate the several direct flights PR is having to the US even if number of flights is not even. More choices means more freedom to decide. Congratulations United Airlines. You will be filling those seats and cargo spaces. Passengers coming from the all US cities will be able to transit to SFO to take the flight to Manila.
I agree with you 100%. Especially if UA can provide better in-flight service this route will be very profitable.
PAL’s service - both ground & on-board is a very low bar to compare with, so I don’t think UA will have a problem surpassing it.
I believe United's risk will be rewarded. SF and the greater Bay Area is home to over 300,000 philippine americans. Right now, Philippine airline's route between SFO-Man is ususally booked months in advance, demand for this route is strong. United made a great call and will fill each flight, question is can they compete with the price point of Phil Air?
150,000 plus Filipinos in Florida that will be interest in this route for only a 6 hour flight to SF and connection. Most hate going out of LAX and worry about fling PAL even-though they never have had an international crash.
Just FYI, PAL fares are pretty high because they know they have the captive market (for those wanting to fly direct) so PAL takes advantage. But not for very long now.
This is interesting. It seems like the nonstop US to Manila flights mainly thrive because of the large Filipino diaspora in major cities like SF, LA, and NY. My impression is that those flights are very VFR/ethnic heavy compared to flights to Tokyo, HKG, SIN, etc where a larger share of traffic is for business. I’d imagine a lot of the Filipino diaspora would be loyal to PAL and would be hesitant to switch to...
This is interesting. It seems like the nonstop US to Manila flights mainly thrive because of the large Filipino diaspora in major cities like SF, LA, and NY. My impression is that those flights are very VFR/ethnic heavy compared to flights to Tokyo, HKG, SIN, etc where a larger share of traffic is for business. I’d imagine a lot of the Filipino diaspora would be loyal to PAL and would be hesitant to switch to UA. This is probably why PAL had a monopoly over Philippines to North America flights for so long with no stateside carriers even considering the route until now. It’s a bit strange why UA would put their biggest plane on the route right away rather than say a 787-9 which would be easier to fill. Good luck United.
PAL seems to ‘dominate’ because it is the only one that flies direct from the US. Fares are pretty high too because they know they have the captive market - think of the elders to do not want to transfer to another plane, so PAL takes advantage of that. But not for very long now.
For so many years flying to the Philippines using that local "Plane Always Late" airline is expensive & time consuming. They always let you pick a set when buying a ticket but by the time you check in they will tell you " oh that set is taken". Then they will let you choose another set but it will cost you another 50. thanks United my time with that plane will be over now. I will fly with you every time I go to the Philippines.
Not sure why this had to be in a separate post. This could have been together with the Hong Kong post and mention that United is adding two new routes. The map is misleading because it looks like there is continuing service to the other two places.
Great news! Tired of Pal dominating the scene. More competition lower prices. Now uf they can fix the NAIA airport that would be awsoneb
So United won’t add connection between SFO and GUM via MNL. This is a problem. Flights from SFO and GUM via NRT or HNL can easily cost a rough average of $1900.00 on up. But a flight from SFO to MNL starts at $1100 round trip A connection between MNL and GUM is an easy $500.00 RT. Thanks for screwing us over again @United.
Meanwhile at Delta. Cricket.
As long as they have KE in their back pocket…
Pan Am used to fly to Manila and then United purchased those routes from money loosing PA. United has not operated a mainland flight to Manila for a long time why now ?
Cargo MNL-SFO... lots of merch comes from the Philippines and Medical Care in the Philippines is excellent and a huge, booming industry. Also, there's a large West Coast Philippine population ad Philippine Tourism is growing leaps and bounds.
Agree on the cargo...medical care doubtful. Phil Health (national health) is, to be charitable, not on par with most developed countries. Put it this way, for simple treatments for young strong people its fine. However if you are very sick you better be prepared to get to Thailand,
I lived in Manila until 2000, I think United flew 747's from NRT until 95ish. After that It was Northwest followed by Delta from NRT. which was dropped around covid supposed to be replaced with ICN-MNL but that never happened.
Really miss the old days of Northwest World Business Class from NRT-MNL.
I remember those days too: flying from Nothwest hub in Minneapolis.
Agree with cargo being the main motivating factor here. As the US military makes the most of the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the USA, there will definitely be opportunities there for United. Guam - Manila is another opportunity for United for obvious reasons. But the biggest proof that the decision for these new routes was likely based on military cargo opportunities is all the news regarding Palau working with...
Agree with cargo being the main motivating factor here. As the US military makes the most of the expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the USA, there will definitely be opportunities there for United. Guam - Manila is another opportunity for United for obvious reasons. But the biggest proof that the decision for these new routes was likely based on military cargo opportunities is all the news regarding Palau working with the US government to boost its security by installing additional radar sites and testing Patriot missiles.
I wonder if it will be practical to use the Manila flight to get from the U.S. to Palau? Of course, MNL has a reputation as a terrible airport so that may not be a good plan. Since the MNL-SFO leaves in the morning, it is probably necessary to fly to MNL at least a day earlier.
I have been on EVA Air and seen quite a few passengers flying from the US to TPE with connections to Vietnam and the Philippines.
As a Filipino American I always take eva air Cathay Pacific and Korean air from Atlanta to Manila These airlines need to realize that the Philippines needs more connectivity to the us east coast especially from cities like Atlanta boston Chicago or Washington Dc
Wondering if PAL is still considering US expansion. UA blocked PAL's new MNL to SEA route pre-pandemic on grounds of securing more flights into Manila. Now that UA has announced this flight, it would seem that their argument is null and void for objecting if PAL wants to launch service to SEA.
It's great to see Asia expansion from UA.
Is MNL still a nightmare to transit through? It would be nice to add one more transit option in Asia.
Terrible! Avoid it.
There are only two airports I refuse to fly to (100+ international airports since 2012 and counting..) Lagos and Manila. Even Kabul Airport under the Taliban is safer and more convenient (never thought anybody would say that!!) And that's NO joke.
If you fly into Terminal 3 in Manila it is good. The other terminals are ok and doable.
About safety you are full of it. They are safe.
The Philippines has improved dramatically in the last 10 years.
BTW Ben you should do a trip to the Phillipines. Go to Amanpulo in Palawan. A Aman hotel. They have their own planes that fly to the small island the resort is on. Yes the island has...
If you fly into Terminal 3 in Manila it is good. The other terminals are ok and doable.
About safety you are full of it. They are safe.
The Philippines has improved dramatically in the last 10 years.
BTW Ben you should do a trip to the Phillipines. Go to Amanpulo in Palawan. A Aman hotel. They have their own planes that fly to the small island the resort is on. Yes the island has a runway.
And go to El Nido and stay at a 5 star hotel and fly Airswift there.
Or stay at the Shangri-la in Boracay.
But happy not to have people here who think the Philippines is dangerous.
MNL is simply not a transit airport , and I can't see it being one for a while. Great place to visit. Totally chaotic airport for connections. Point to point is bearable.
I wish they would depart from Manila say2pm than 10am but glad to see a way to redeem award tickets to and from Philippines. Can’t wait to visit Amanpulo!
Have you been to Amanpulo? The best there is if all places I've been.
And Philippine Airlines still requires face masks. Ridiculous.
Great to require face masks! Covid is still at pandemic levels, albeit less than at the peak.
Lucky-
Correction:
Plane should be departing SFO at 11:35pm from the schedule I am seeing.
Hi Ben,
when would it go on sale?
Thanks!
@ Serge T -- It's already bookable. :-)
Sure, MNL was low yield. But that was before the pandemic. Since 2022, when air travel began recovering, PR started pushing the price higher, mostly because of demand. Nonstop tickets are at astronomical rates compared to what they were in 2019 and demand has not abated.
It seems strange to me that they'd enter this notoriously low-yield market, but not launch SFO to BKK, HAN or SGN. These are all low-yield markets, too, but they don't have nonstop competition from a carrier that is happen to operate in the red.
SFO SGN is coming once Apple completes their factories in Hanoi. It will be on the 787-9
So much more tourism in/through BKK and HAN/SGN, but I don’t sense that these are particularly premium-heavy markets - I fly into BKK often and have never in 6 years been in a full J cabin, whether on Korean, JAL, ANA, China Airlines, or Cathay. Economy is always packed, and I suspect will be on this new flight with Pinoy families/expats visiting each other…I can see UA filling J a bit more in/out of MNL...
So much more tourism in/through BKK and HAN/SGN, but I don’t sense that these are particularly premium-heavy markets - I fly into BKK often and have never in 6 years been in a full J cabin, whether on Korean, JAL, ANA, China Airlines, or Cathay. Economy is always packed, and I suspect will be on this new flight with Pinoy families/expats visiting each other…I can see UA filling J a bit more in/out of MNL given the Pinoy expat population in the USA and the Philippines population size…Thailand is only about half the size of the Philippines and the diaspora is tiny compared to the Pinoy one; Vietnam is certainly larger, but with VN already flying to SFO and a smaller expat population (about half the Pinoy one), MNL may make more sense to UA.
I am glad you brought up the issue of yields. On one hand, yes carriers need to be confident of yields to justify operations. On the other hand, if the Philippines is really a low-yield destination, why has PAL succeeded in offering nonstop PH-Mainland US flights (in addition to reasons that it has a de-facto monopoly over them)? Also, if the Philippines has low-yields, 5-star carriers like Cathay, SIA, Asiana, Korean Air, and Qatar Airways...
I am glad you brought up the issue of yields. On one hand, yes carriers need to be confident of yields to justify operations. On the other hand, if the Philippines is really a low-yield destination, why has PAL succeeded in offering nonstop PH-Mainland US flights (in addition to reasons that it has a de-facto monopoly over them)? Also, if the Philippines has low-yields, 5-star carriers like Cathay, SIA, Asiana, Korean Air, and Qatar Airways would shy away from it and the only way Filipinos would get out of the country would have to be by ship.
@ Paolo -- I'm not sure how we're defining PAL being successful offering nonstop flights to the US? The airline was losing money before the pandemic, so what makes you think the flights were "successful?" Also, it's different to operate a short haul flight in a low yield market to make it part of a global carrier's route network (which is what's the case with airlines like Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, etc.), vs. operating a...
@ Paolo -- I'm not sure how we're defining PAL being successful offering nonstop flights to the US? The airline was losing money before the pandemic, so what makes you think the flights were "successful?" Also, it's different to operate a short haul flight in a low yield market to make it part of a global carrier's route network (which is what's the case with airlines like Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, etc.), vs. operating a long haul flight to a low yield destination.
Guess “Paolo” is a proud, patriotic Filipino who also thinks pancit is edible and that Duterte was a good president Filipinos support anything with their country’s name on it.
Guess“GORDON” is a white racist American who thinks alligators are edible and that “orange faced racist” was a good President . Ignorant racist Americans support anything with his narcissistic name on it .
And you’re just another xenophobic American who probably can’t find the US on a map.
I picked a few random dates and United is a lot higher price-wise than Philippines on the same route, both in economy and business. I guess United feels they can make that work.
For Cargo Christ once said, “For where 777-300ER are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Boeing 18:20
The word of the Load.
This is the funniest thing I’ve read on this blog
United also likely have to find places for those planes that are otherwise flying to PVG/PEK/HKG.
UA *is* flying 3x daily to HKG.
It *was* 4X daily to HKG.
So? They are still flying to HKG quite a bit. It's not like this Manila flight is using the surplus airframes from HKG. UA will probably bring back EWR-HKG and still keep the Manila flight. As Ben pointed out, UA rarely adds a flight to later cancel it... so this flight is not using planes that would otherwise be going to HKG. That was my point.
So that they are still to utilise the planes otherwise without a destination with the China slots/routes issue. Without adding LAX-HKG, they'd be only flying 2x which is significantly lower than the 4x daily capacity. The suspension of those PVG/PEK/HKG (including the 1x HKG even if you count LAX-HKG now) routes freed up the planes that can/need be put to alternative destinations.
The point is that HKG flying is still down, either due to...
So that they are still to utilise the planes otherwise without a destination with the China slots/routes issue. Without adding LAX-HKG, they'd be only flying 2x which is significantly lower than the 4x daily capacity. The suspension of those PVG/PEK/HKG (including the 1x HKG even if you count LAX-HKG now) routes freed up the planes that can/need be put to alternative destinations.
The point is that HKG flying is still down, either due to organic demand or logistical airspace challenge. The widebody assets are being repurposed.
It’s more than DL, who pulled out of the station, and AA, who has CX as a partner there. Pretty impressive.
Is the Polaris Lounge going to alter it's hours for the later departure? I certainly wouldn't want to be kicked out 2 hours before my flight left.
Departure should actually be at 11:35pm and not what the blog mentions (at least that's the schedule United is showing on their website).
That would still be an hour after the lounge is closed, but factoring in boarding time it's only 15-30 minutes maybe. If I'm flying J, I would personally value working in the lounge more than waiting on an airplane. I wouldn't be surprised if the Lounge is open 1 more hour.
It literally says 1235 am on United.com.
Shut up.
It literally says 1235 am on United.com.
Check your facts
Also, United flew nonstop from SFO to MNL in the 1990s, stopping during the Asian fiancial crisis in 1998
Yes, a lot of online articles (including this one) got this wrong.
I think it makes sense with neighbouring Canada making it easier for Philippine nationals to visit with just an ETA vs a Visa. UA can probably profit a lot from an increase in transit passengers between MNL and Canada.
Passengers from Canada clear US customs prior to exiting Canada + airside to airside transfer + US doesn't require passport control prior to exiting the US, so transferring in SFO would appear to be much more simple.
That's a brutal departure time out of San Francisco.
It's too bad that plane isn't stopping at United's hub in Guam. Guam desperately needs a flight to/from the continental United States.
They probably want to maximize connections on both ends especially to/from points east. You also don't want the aircraft to sit on the ground too long and pay parking fees. Philippine Airlines departs 40 minutes earlier.
They’re also adding LAX-HKG, LAX-NET, and a second daily SFO-TPE