Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to Philippines

Direct flight routes to Philippines

Currently, only one regular non-stop flight route operates between North America and the Philippines.

• Manila (MNL) – Los Angeles (LAX): Philippine Airlines, 15h 30m flight time

Layover/stopover options

Tokyo (NRT/HND): JAL and ANA provide reliable connections with typical layover times of 2-4 hours. Both airports offer excellent facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Seoul (ICN): Korean Air and Asiana Airlines hub with efficient 2-3 hour connections. Features excellent lounges and a free transit hotel for qualifying overnight layovers.

Taipei (TPE): China Airlines and EVA Air offer competitive fares through this hub. Known for quick immigration processes and excellent airport amenities, with typical connections of 2-3 hours.

Hong Kong (HKG): Cathay Pacific’s main hub provides extensive connection options. Features world-class lounges and efficient 2-4 hour layovers, with easy airport navigation.

Time vs money

Non-stop flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Routes with layovers often cost 20-40% less than direct flights, with longer layovers generally offering the lowest fares.

Tips and recommendations

• Book layover flights through a single airline alliance to ensure protected connections and through-checked baggage.


• Consider 6+ hour layovers in Tokyo or Seoul to explore the city with free transit tours.


• Mid-week departures through Asian hubs typically offer lower fares than weekend flights.


• Winter months (except Christmas) usually have better availability and lower prices on all routes.


• Longer layovers (12+ hours) can sometimes result in lower total fares, especially through Taipei or Seoul.

• Korean Air via Seoul offers consistently lower fares from West Coast cities to Manila, often 15-20% below market average. Their A330 and B787 aircraft feature generous 34″ pitch in economy, while their 6-hour layover in Seoul allows for a quick city tour. The airline’s extensive partnership with Delta provides convenient connections from smaller US cities.
• Flying through Tokyo-Haneda on Japan Airlines combines competitive pricing with excellent service quality on their refurbished B787s featuring 33″ pitch and upgraded entertainment systems. JAL maintains punctual operations year-round and offers convenient morning arrivals in Manila. Mid-week departures typically offer the best fares, averaging $750-850 round-trip from West Coast.
• For East Coast departures, EVA Air’s route via Taipei provides an optimal balance of comfort and value, with fares typically 10% lower than direct competitors. Their B777-300ER features an industry-leading 32″ pitch in economy, and their 4-hour layover in Taipei is ideal for connections.
• Budget-conscious travelers should consider Chinese carriers (China Eastern, China Southern) offering fares up to 30% below market average from major Canadian hubs like Vancouver and Toronto. While layovers in Shanghai or Guangzhou tend to be longer, these airlines operate modern A350 and B787 aircraft with reasonable 31-32″ pitch.
• From secondary US cities, United Airlines’ connection via Guam often yields surprisingly competitive fares and shorter total journey times to Manila. Their B737-800s on the Guam-Manila route feature updated cabins with power outlets at every seat, and the route benefits from lower airport taxes and fees.

1. Booking direct flights only Most travelers overlook efficient one-stop routes through Seoul, Tokyo, or Taipei that can be significantly cheaper than direct flights to Manila from North American gateways.
2. Ignoring secondary Filipino airports Flying into Cebu (CEB) or Clark (CRK) instead of Manila (MNL) can save time and money, especially for travelers heading to central or northern Philippines destinations.
3. Booking during peak season without planning ahead Flights to Philippines during Christmas, Holy Week, and summer months (March-May) can be twice as expensive, requiring at least 6 months advance booking for reasonable fares.
4. Cutting Manila layover time too short Due to frequent delays and notorious Manila traffic, travelers often miss connecting domestic flights by not allowing at least 4 hours between international arrival and domestic departure.
5. Choosing overnight layovers in non-visa-free countries Some budget routes through mainland China or Taiwan require transit visas for overnight layovers, causing immigration issues for unprepared travelers.

Korean Air

Best for: Most comfortable Economy seats and highest passenger satisfaction ratings for trans-Pacific routes.

Operating from 12 North American cities to Philippines via Seoul (main hubs: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York-JFK). Offers generous 34-inch seat pitch in Economy, complementary hot meals with Korean and Western options, and wine service. Efficient layovers in Seoul’s modern Incheon airport average 2-3 hours. Consistently rated above 4/5 by passengers for service quality and reliability.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Best for: Superior dining experience and entertainment options in Economy Class.

Serves 8 North American destinations to Philippines via Tokyo (main hubs: Los Angeles, Chicago, and Vancouver). Known for award-winning meals designed by renowned chefs and extensive entertainment library with English content. Economy Class features thoughtful amenities like foot rests and phone holders. Convenient connections through Tokyo Narita or Haneda with typical layovers of 2-4 hours.

EVA Air

Best for: Most reliable on-time performance and seamless connections through Taipei.

Operates from 7 North American cities to Philippines (main hubs: Los Angeles, Seattle, and Toronto). Maintains impressive 90% on-time arrival rate and offers some of the shortest connection times through Taipei. Economy Class provides spacious 32-inch pitch seats, quality Asian and Western meal choices, and responsive cabin service. Regular deals make it often more affordable than competitors.

Cathay Pacific

Best for: Most extensive route network to secondary Philippines cities beyond Manila.

Flying from 6 North American destinations to Philippines via Hong Kong (main hubs: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver). Besides Manila, offers convenient connections to Cebu, Clark, and other regional airports. Economy Class features well-padded seats, Hong Kong-inspired cuisine, and attentive service. Modern entertainment system includes live news and sports channels.

Using regional airlines to save on Philippines flights

Smart travelers can significantly reduce costs on flights from North America to Philippines by leveraging regional Asian carriers. This strategy requires breaking up your journey into separate bookings.

1. Book major hubs first – Secure flights from North America to key Asian transit points like Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, or Taipei using major carriers
2. Connect via budget carriers – Use regional airlines like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, or Scoot for the final leg to Philippines, often at fraction of integrated ticket costs
3. Allow buffer time – Schedule at least 4-6 hours between flights when self-connecting to account for delays and immigration

The most cost-effective routes typically involve flying to Tokyo-Narita or Seoul-Incheon, then connecting to Manila or Cebu via budget carriers. This approach can save 30-40% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings.

Key considerations include checking baggage policies, as regional carriers often have stricter limits, and ensuring you have proper documentation for transit countries. While this strategy requires more planning, the savings can easily exceed $400-500 per round trip.