PAL now flies nonstop direct to New York

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is now flying nonstop direct to New York City, the first such service between Manila and “The Big Apple” from a Philippine carrier.

Direct non-stop service to New York from the Philippines commenced on Oct. 29, 2018, the airline said Tuesday, November 13.

A brand-new 295-seater Airbus A350-900 departed as PR126 from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a 16-hour non-stop journey and landed in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in the evening of the same day.

“This is the longest route ever to be served by a Philippine carrier. What’s in store for travelers is a journey unparalleled—an ultra-comfortable flight on one of the world's most advanced commercial airplanes,” PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said.

“The maiden nonstop 16 hour Manila-New York journey will usher in a long-haul travel experience marked by comfort, convenience and efficiency," Bautista said.

With the nonstop direct flight, tourists and balikbayans based in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut now have a better alternative to visiting the Philippines, according to PAL.

“Prior to the new PAL service, Manila-bound passengers had to go through intermediate stopovers in Canada, the US West Coast or airports in other Asian countries, usually by connecting from one flight to another,” it said.

The Manila-New York flights run four times every week—Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

New York-Manila flights are scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

PAL said the direct flight departs Manila at 9 p.m. and arrive in New York at 11:15 p.m.

“Starting December 6, PAL will start serving the MNL-NYC route five times weekly with the introduction of a 5th frequency (every Wednesday),” the airline said.

“All PAL flights to New York depart from NAIA Terminal 2. PAL flights from New York will arrive at NAIA Terminal 1,” it said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News