Delta Air Lines Expands US-Philippines Route Network Amid Competition

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to launch a daily nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Manila International Airport (MNL) using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline has asked regulators to delay approval of Philippine Airlines’ flights between Manila and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) until the Philippine government guarantees commercially viable airport slots for Delta’s planned service. The move comes as Philippine Airlines seeks approval for its own Manila-ORD route, which would establish the first direct air link between the Philippines and the American Midwest. The US-Philippines market is a lucrative long-haul travel corridor, with a large Filipino diaspora in North America. The airline’s return to Manila after a six-year hiatus adds to the growing competition on US-Manila routes, where United Airlines already operates multiple nonstop services. According to the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 1.6 to 1.7 million Filipinos living in California, making Los Angeles a highly coveted route for airlines. The airline’s request for commercially viable airport slots and infrastructure may signal a broader industry trend of carriers seeking to optimize their operations in slot-constrained airports. The competition between Delta and Philippine Airlines may lead to better deals for travelers, but also raises questions about the long-term viability of US-Manila routes. This information was first reported by Enilria.