PAL Adds More US Routes Through American Airlines Deal

Why It Matters

The expanded codeshare gives PAL broader access to the U.S. market, boosting passenger options and revenue potential while intensifying competition among airlines serving the Philippines‑U.S. corridor.

Key Takeaways

• PAL adds San Francisco‑Miami and Seattle‑Miami codeshare routes via American
• New LA‑to‑five US cities codeshare expands PAL’s US footprint
• American will feed Manila‑Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York with PAL
• Codeshare launch slated for IATA summer schedule (Mar‑Oct) 2024
• Competition intensifies as Delta plans LA‑Manila service next summer

Pulse Analysis

The revised PAL‑American codeshare agreement reflects a strategic push by the Philippine flag carrier to deepen its presence in the United States. By linking San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles to a broader set of American destinations, PAL can offer seamless itineraries under a single ticket, a convenience that appeals to both business travelers and the sizable Filipino diaspora. The partnership also leverages American’s extensive domestic network, allowing PAL to capture feeder traffic without the cost of operating additional flights, thereby improving load factors and overall profitability.

From a market perspective, the expanded network comes at a time when trans‑Pacific travel demand is rebounding after pandemic disruptions. Competitors such as Delta are preparing to launch direct Los Angeles‑Manila service, raising the stakes for PAL to retain its position as the carrier with the widest U.S. footprint from the Philippines. The new codeshare routes, especially the Miami connections, open up leisure and business corridors to the Southeast and the Gulf Coast, diversifying travel options beyond the traditional West Coast hubs.

Looking ahead, PAL’s ambition to add a direct Manila‑Chicago flight—already cleared for a one‑year term—signals a longer‑term shift toward more point‑to‑point services that could reduce reliance on codeshares. As airlines continue to balance partnership benefits with direct route economics, PAL’s dual strategy of expanding codeshare access while pursuing new nonstop flights positions it to capture growth in both inbound tourism and outbound business travel, reinforcing its role as a bridge between the Philippines and the broader U.S. market.