Benefits of PAL–Southwest partnership for travelers

Now passengers of nonstop Manila to SFO flights have seamless connections to the US cities where Philippine Airlines does not directly fly to. The same applies to those flying from Manila to Seattle with their final destinations located elsewhere in the US. The PAL-Southwest partnership facilitates single-ticket journeys to the final destination in the United States through Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu.

Precisely, you can book flights between USA and Philippines with seamless domestic travel to/from Chicago, Phoenix, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Detroit, Denver, Charlotte, Boston, and other US cities. It eliminates the hassles of booking Southwest Airlines’ tickets separately and the worries about Southwest Airlines’ paid baggage allowance in the US. On top of that, Philippine Airlines’ checked baggage allowance (according to your travel class and fare type) applies to your domestic leg with Southwest Airlines.

EVA Air and China Airlines also partnered with Southwest

It seems that Southwest Airlines is an emerging populist carrier feeding international flights to and from USA. Other Asian carriers, like China Airlines and EVA Air operating flights between USA and Taiwan, have chosen Southwest Airlines as their interline partner. In August 2025, EVA Air signed an interline agreement with Southwest, allowing its travelers to fly far and wide in the US through LAX, SFO, ORD and SeaTac airports. China Airlines’ interline partnership with Southwest will take effect in January 2026.

Southwest’s new wheelchair policy applies to Philippine Airlines

Starting in 2026, Southwest Airlines will end its long-criticized wheelchair-first boarding policy. As a result, passengers transferring from Philippine Airlines to Southwest’s domestic flights within the US will no longer receive priority boarding at US airports. However, Southwest Airlines will continue to provide wheelchair assistance across its network.

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Manila’s second international airport in Bulacan province 

Significantly larger than Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila’s second airport NMIA project would cost US $15 billion. The construction of the first terminal building is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with the first phase being anticipated to be operational in late 2028. Given the NMIA project details, the upcoming airport in Bulacan, 30 minutes north of Manila, is expected to the Philippines’ main gateway to the world in the future. 

Manila Bulacan International Airport Infrastructure   

The new Manila International Airport will be more advanced than Ninoy Aquino Airport in terms of area, runways, passenger capacity, and accessibility. NMIA would spread over 2500 hectares (6200 acres) along the Manila Bay, as part of the 12,000-hectare airport city project in Bulacan province. The second Manila airport project details include 4 parallel runways with the capacity to expand to six in the future.

Second Manila Airport NMIA Project Timeline

Bulacan International Airport, Manila will be constructed in a phased way starting January 2026. As per the NMIA project timeline, the first phase is expected to open with one terminal and two runways by late 2028 aiming to serve 35 million passengers a year, if things go as planned. On completion of all phases, the airport would have the capacity to handle 100 million passenger traffic in a year.

Philippines New Manila Airport Connectivity

Philippines’ New Manila International Airport will not only cater to Metro Manila but also neighboring areas like Central Luzon and CALABARZON. A comprehensive accessibility network comprising a 6-lane Expressway will facilitate commute between Metro Manila and the upcoming airport in Bulacan. There are plans to extend Manila Metro’s 7 Line to the airport for a great deal of convenience.

For decades, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been the primary gateway for flights to Philippines from the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asian countries. In 2024 itself, NAIA served 50.1 million passengers; the overcapacity burdens the airport infrastructure. Manila’s second international airport will not only share the passenger traffic but also open more international routes to/from Manila. With two international airports – NAIA and NMIA, the Philippine capital would become a premier destination for travel and trade.

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Philippines’ vaccination policy for inbound travel

If you are fully-vaccinated and can provide a proof of the same; you may be exempt from quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines. The quarantine policy for international arrivals in the Philippines is similar to other countries. The final vaccine dose or the single-dose vaccine for passengers needs to be at least 14 days old prior to their arrival in the country.  You can check the approved list of vaccines with your airline.

Vaccinated travelers also need to produce a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 48 hours prior to their departure from the United States. They also require to self-monitor their symptoms for the next seven days upon their arrival. Manila International Airport’s arrival procedure may be different from other airports or destinations in the Philippines. So, it is advisable to be in the know of the entry requirements before you book cheap flights to Manila or anywhere in the Philippines.

Philippines’ Quarantine Policy

Non-vaccinated passengers need to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in a government-approved facility. On day 5 of the quarantine period, those testing negative for COVID-19 get some respite. They can complete the rest of the quarantine period at a private accommodation. Though they shall self-monitor their health for symptoms for the rest of the time.

Children below the age of 12 (those who cannot be vaccinated) need to follow the quarantine guidelines as applicable to their parents or accompanying guardians. Minors who are three years or younger and asymptomatic are exempt from testing. Minors with symptoms are required to undergo testing as per the protocol for safe arrival in the Philippines.

Other Requirements

Foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines or Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila shall purchase insurance for all COVID-19 treatment expenses. The minimum coverage requirement is USD 35000.

Foreign nationals travelling to the Philippines shall carry a proof of return travel as they need to produce it to the authorities at the airport. The return travel date must be within 30 days from the first day of arrival in the country. International travelers also need to register on the ‘Traze’ app, which is used by the authorities for the purpose of contact tracing.

You must fill in a ‘Case Investigation Form’ without your vaccination and personal details, at least three days before your arrival in the Philippines. You also need to register through ‘e-Health Declaration Card’ within a day of your departure. This form is for the Bureau of Quarantine.

The country’s Department of Tourism (DOT) is hopeful to further ease travel restrictions by April this year. This is the latest update on the Philippines’ proposed lifting of the inbound travel ban. The government initially planned to slowly reopen international travel. But since they require to restart consular services internationally, the plan is to also fully open up the country to foreign travelers.

The Philippines’ entry regulations may be revised anytime as the pandemic scenario evolves. Watch out this space for any revision of the guidelines until your departure on cheap international flights to Philippines from USA or any other country.

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The Philippines’ Visa on Arrival for certain groups of Chinese nationals is primarily intended to fetch potential investors and tourists from the People’s Republic of China, the world’s thriving economy, for the growth of tourism and trade in the Philippines. According to the Bureau of Immigration, tourism is a powerful business prospect for the country’s economic growth.

Previously, the Philippines’ Department of Justice issued a directive mandating it for the government to grant visa on arrival to the citizens of China. Hence, the latest measure to fetch more footfalls from China is in compliance with the circular, to the benefit of the Department of Tourism.

Also Read: New Philippine Passport Validity

However, the Philippines’ visa on arrival for Chinese citizens comes with a set of eligibility norms. Only those Chinese nationals who are among the following are eligible for visa on arrival at the points of entry in the Philippines:

• Chinese delegates, on invitation to exhibitions and conventions in the Philippines, can avail the visa on arrival.
• Chinese businessmen with an endorsement letter from a local or foreign chamber of commerce, or certain government agencies
• Chinese members on tours organized by the tour operators who are certified by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism
• Athletes on visit to or participating in local or national or international sports events in the Philippines

Wanda Tulfo-Teo, the Department of Tourism secretary, earlier said that the decision would permit the Philippines to develop into an equitable contender in the Asia-Pacific tourism Industry. She added that Philippines’ Visa on Arrival program would be an irresistible offer to potential investors among Chinese tourists.

“From the time of commencement of the Duterte administration in July 2016, providing our Chinese acquaintances with landed visas will increase the volume of traffic from China into the country”, Tulfo-Teo said in a recent statement.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), International airports of Clark, Mactan and Kalibu and seaports in Manila, Puerto Princesa, Subic, Laong and Caticlan will put the program into practice.

As per the resolution, applications for the Philippines’ visa on arrival must be filed 10 days prior to actual arrival. With the new landed visa scheme in place, Chinese visitors can stay one month in the Philippines, and it can be extended up to 6 months.

FlyHigh is a cultural wing of iEagle Travel, a leading international travel organization booking cheap flights to Manila, and cheap air tickets to Cebu. iEagle Travel books the best flights with the lowest airfares to Manila, Cebu and other cities in the Philippines. 

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