United Airlines (UAL) kicked off its daily nonstop service between San Francisco and Manila on Monday, marking its inaugural trans-Pacific flight connecting the Philippines and the continental United States.
This new flight service offers a more streamlined option for business travelers, tourists, and overseas Filipinos returning home, reducing transit times and the need for stopovers.
A ribbon-cutting event was held at NAIA Terminal 3’s departure gate in anticipation of the maiden flight from Manila to San Francisco. The ceremony saw the participation of distinguished guests including US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim, Department of Tourism regional director Sharlene Batin, and American Chamber of Commerce executive director Ebb Hinchliffe. Marcel Fuchs, UAL’s managing director for international sales, led the team of executives from the airline during the celebration.
The outbound Manila-San Francisco flight, UA190, was booked with 335 passengers, inclusive of an infant, and took off at 9:55 a.m., with an estimated arrival in San Francisco at 6:20 a.m. the next day. Conversely, the inbound SFO-Manila flight, UA191, carried 325 passengers and is scheduled to depart San Francisco at 11:35 p.m., touching down in Manila at 6:50 a.m.
With major hubs across the United States, including San Francisco, Chicago, and New York/Newark, United Airlines boasts the most expansive global route network among North American airlines. Recent metrics indicate it as the world’s largest airline based on available seat miles. The airline’s parent company, United Airline