Travelers flying from Manila to India may soon be able to skip connecting stops. Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to fly nonstop to Mumbai four times a week and to Delhi three times a week starting in December.
The flag carrier released the proposed schedule on Friday and assigned its Airbus A321neo to both routes. The aircraft has 168 seats: 12 lie-flat Business Class seats and 156 in Economy.
“These routes will create new opportunities for Filipinos to explore India while supporting the growing movement of travelers, businesses and goods between our two countries,” PAL president Richard Nuttall said.
Mumbai flights will run as PR646, leaving Manila at 10:40 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and landing at 3:05 a.m. the next day. The return flight, PR647, will leave Mumbai at 7:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrive in Manila at 5 p.m.
Delhi flights will leave Manila on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. PR642 is scheduled to depart at 10:40 p.m. on those days and arrive in the Indian capital at 3 a.m. the following morning. PR643 will make the return trip every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving Delhi at 8:15 a.m. and reaching Manila at 5 p.m.
Nuttall described the expansion as a way to grow the airline’s presence in the region. “Opening services to Delhi and Mumbai strengthens PAL’s network in one of Asia’s most dynamic economies,” he said.
The December launch is not yet final. PAL said the service remains “subject to Indian Government approval.”
