HereWeGo
June 7, 2026 • 4 min read
Is American Airlines considering flights to Manila? This article delves into the possibilities and challenges the airline faces.
Exploring the Possibility of Flights to Manila
Recently, there has been much speculation about whether American Airlines might launch flights to Manila, Philippines (MNL). This speculation ties into Philippine Airlines' upcoming entry into the oneworld alliance in 2027. While there hasn’t been much concrete information on this front, the connection between Philippine Airlines and other oneworld members like Alaska, American, and Qatar Airways makes the idea more plausible.
American Airlines has just announced the suspension of its flights to Doha (DOH) and is set to introduce a new destination. This has led many to wonder if this could mean American is gearing up to open flights to Manila, especially given that it is a hub for one of its partners.
Building a Case for Expansion
If American Airlines does decide to launch flights to Manila, they would enhance their connectivity in the region, offering passengers a one-stop service with American as the primary carrier for long-haul flights. However, it’s important to note that American is currently collaborating with Japan Airlines on a trans-Pacific joint venture, often routing passengers through Tokyo. This can sometimes fall short of meeting the demand for secondary destinations in Southeast Asia.
By the end of 2023, United Airlines has already begun flights to Manila and appears to be succeeding, consistently increasing their schedule. Delta also plans to commence flights to Manila in 2027. With such competition rising, will American Airlines truly initiate flights to Manila?
The Major Challenges American Airlines Faces
Personally, I don’t see many compelling reasons for American Airlines to consider this move, given their current strategy. The airline doesn’t always act rationally, making it difficult to maintain profitability. There are several significant challenges that need to be addressed. Firstly, from which hub would American serve Manila? The only West Coast hub they have is Los Angeles (LAX).
American has attempted to establish trans-Pacific flights from LAX but has had to withdraw. Currently, Delta is planning to expand its services from LAX, so I don’t see American trying to compete as a wise strategy.
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Cost Analysis
I don’t see any incentive for American to operate flights from LA to Manila, as they would face competition from Delta and numerous daily flights from Philippine Airlines. American also faces significant cost disadvantages compared to Philippine Airlines, complicating profitability calculations. They cannot achieve higher fares to support this service, especially with Delta also operating in the market.
Of course, American could operate a route from Dallas (DFW), but this would be an 8,320-mile flight, making it American’s longest route. Given the operational costs of such a flight, it’s hard to imagine they could achieve revenue performance that justifies it.
Future Growth Potential
It’s worth noting that American no longer flies to Hong Kong (HKG) despite its partnership with Cathay Pacific, and that route is slightly shorter. Thus, I find it hard to envision American making flights to Manila if they cannot maintain service to Hong Kong. We’ll have to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
If American truly wants to be a global name, launching flights to Manila could make sense within the broader context of their operational network. However, if this is merely a standalone strategy, I see no reason for it to be genuinely feasible.
Delta is Also Launching Flights to Manila
Lastly, Delta is also planning to initiate flights to Manila, adding more pressure on American Airlines in this market. If American wants to retain customers and expand its operational network, they need to develop a more effective strategy to compete with other rivals.
We’ll be keeping an eye on American Airlines' developments in the future, particularly the changes implemented after new routes are launched. Will they overcome the current challenges and establish a presence in Manila? Only time will tell.
Article referenced and edited from: One Mile at a Time
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