UA Adds MNL From the USA. A First for a US Airline

United Airlines is continuing the robust expansion of its transpacific flying, unveiling a new direct, year-round service from its San Francisco hub to Philippine capital Manila. The carrier currently operates flights with Boeing 737 narrowbodies to Manila from Guam and Palau’s Koror Airai Airport, said United SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle during a July 17 media briefing. United’s new route, beginning Oct. 29 and operated using a Boeing 777-300ER, will be the only direct service to Manila from the U.S. offered by an American carrier. Quayle said there is a “ton of traffic” between the U.S. and the Philippines. “All that traffic has to connect somewhere, or that traffic has to fly the Filipino flag-carrier.” Schedule data from CAPA – Centre for Aviation shows that Philippine Airlines operates to four U.S. destinations: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and San Francisco. Chicago-based United has additional changes planned for its Asia-Pacific network. On Oct. 28, it is adding daily, year-round service from Los Angeles to Hong Kong operated with a 787-9, which will complement its existing Hong Kong-San Francisco service. Over the Northern Hemisphere winter, United will operate a total of three daily flights to Hong Kong from those two airports.