Philippine Airlines (PAL) launched its first nonstop flight between Cebu and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on May 2, 2025. This new route offers direct service connecting Central Visayas with Vietnam’s economic and commercial hub. The inaugural Flight PR 587 departed from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, was marked by a celebratory water cannon salute. Officials from PAL, Aboitiz InfraCapital GMCAC, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other travel industry stakeholders were present at the event.
PAL president and chief operating officer, Capt. Stanley K. Ng, noted the airline’s commitment to expanding regional connectivity. “This landmark Cebu-Vietnam route strengthens bilateral ties between the Philippines and Vietnam, our next-door neighbor, and gives more travel options to explore Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities — Saigon and Cebu,” Ng stated.
Flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City operate every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Return PAL flights depart from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The Cebu-Saigon route is served by an Airbus A321 jetliner, configured with seating for up to 199 passengers in both Business and Economy classes.
Philippine-Vietnam air links date back to 1985, and PAL continues to expand its services to Vietnam. The airline launched 10 weekly Manila-Hanoi-Manila flights on June 1 and is set to introduce a new route between Manila and Da Nang on July 1.
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PAL has also announced a new partnership with Alaska Airlines (AS), designed to enhance travel options for frequent flyers of both carriers.
Alvin M. Miranda, PAL vice president for marketing, stated that the collaboration “expands our network and flight options, enabling our Mabuhay Members to enjoy enhanced connectivity and flexibility.”
Andrew Harrison, chief commercial officer at Alaska Airlines, commented that PAL is “a terrific addition to our roster of global airlines offering world-class service and amenities.” He added that Filipino communities in Hawaii, California, and Washington state can travel on PAL’s long-haul wide-body aircraft and will soon have the opportunity to earn Mileage Plan miles.
The collaboration facilitates connections through PAL’s U.S. West Coast gateways — Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco — as well as via Honolulu. Passengers traveling with PAL will gain access to a wider range of U.S. destinations within Alaska Airlines’ domestic network.
This new frequent flyer collaboration also builds upon the existing partnership between PAL and Hawaiian Airlines, a member of the Alaska Airlines Group. In addition to PAL continuing to offer Hawaiian codeshare flights to Maui, Hilo, Kona, and Lihue via Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines flyers will soon be able to earn and redeem miles on PAL using their Mileage Plan number.
PAL maintains the largest network of nonstop flights between the Philippines and multiple destinations in the United States, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu.
The world is, indeed, getting smaller. Huh, PAL?