# Philippine Airlines Business Class review

PAL Business on the A350-1000, A350-900, A330 and 777-300ER, non-stops to Manila from six US cities (Chicago from November 9, 2026), which flights get the new suite with a door, and what it costs.

Canonical: https://www.businessclasstravel.us/philippine-airlines-business-class-review
Publisher: BusinessClassTravel.us (ARC/IATA-partner Business Class consolidator)
Published: 2026-10-10
Airline: Philippine Airlines (PR/PAL), Unaffiliated; hubs Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB)

## Is Philippine Airlines Business Class worth it in 2026?

Philippine Airlines Business Class depends on the aircraft. The A350-1000, flying San Francisco and New York JFK, has a 1-2-1 suite with a sliding door, one of the best seats across the Pacific. Los Angeles uses the older 777-300ER with a 2-3-2 layout and no direct aisle access for every seat. Contracted West Coast fares run $3,200-$4,600 round-trip, and PAL joins oneworld in late 2027.

- A350-1000 suite with a sliding door on San Francisco and New York JFK flights
- Los Angeles: 777-300ER with the older 2-3-2 seat (refurbishment from late 2027)
- Non-stops from LAX, SFO, JFK, SEA and HNL; Chicago from November 9, 2026
- Joining oneworld in late 2027 (agreement signed June 2026)

## The 60-second verdict

- **The A350-1000 suite is excellent.** (strength): PAL's A350-1000 has 42 Business suites in a 1-2-1 layout with sliding doors, 20-inch 4K screens and wireless charging. It flies San Francisco daily and New York JFK, and it competes with the best seats across the Pacific.
- **Non-stops from six US cities.** (strength): PAL flies non-stop to Manila from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK, Seattle and Honolulu, and adds Chicago O'Hare on November 9, 2026, its eighth US destination including Guam and Saipan.
- **A fleet that is improving.** (strength): PAL has four A350-1000s and agreed to nine more in July 2026, and the 777-300ER and A330 cabins are due to be refurbished from late 2027.
- **Los Angeles still has the old seat.** (mixed): The 777-300ER on Los Angeles has a 2-3-2 Business cabin, so many seats lack direct aisle access. If the seat matters most, fly the A350-1000 from San Francisco or New York, or ask us to compare.
- **No alliance until late 2027.** (mixed): PAL signed to join oneworld in June 2026, with membership expected in late 2027. Until then, Mabuhay Miles has no alliance-wide earning or lounge access for US travelers.

## The A350-1000 suite

Philippine Airlines took its first A350-1000 in December 2025. Its 42 Business suites sit in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout, each with a sliding privacy door, a fully flat bed, a 20-inch 4K screen and wireless charging, with a divider between the center pairs.

It flies every San Francisco departure (daily since September 15, 2026) and New York JFK, where it became permanent in May 2026. When JFK frequencies rise from December 2, 2026, some extra flights start on the A350-900, so we confirm the aircraft on every quote.

## A350-900 and A330

PAL's A350-900s and A330-300s use the Thompson Vantage XL seat in a 1-2-1 layout: lie-flat with direct aisle access, but no door. The A350-900 launches Chicago on November 9, 2026 and flies some Seattle and New York departures; the A330 flies Honolulu.

## The 777-300ER on Los Angeles

Los Angeles, PAL's busiest US route with multiple daily flights, uses the 777-300ER with the airline's oldest Business cabin: a 2-3-2 layout where many seats lack direct aisle access. PAL plans to refurbish the 777-300ERs from late 2027, a program expected to take about three years.

## US network

PAL flies non-stop to Manila from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK (rising from three weekly from December 2, 2026), Seattle and Honolulu, and adds Chicago O'Hare three times a week from November 9, 2026. It also serves Guam and Saipan, and Cebu-Guam three times a week.

## Lounge, miles and oneworld

The flagship Mabuhay Lounge at Manila Terminal 1 opened in December 2023 for international departures. PAL's program is Mabuhay Miles.

In June 2026 PAL signed to become oneworld's 16th member, with joining expected in late 2027. Once it joins, US travelers will be able to earn and redeem with American AAdvantage and other oneworld programs on PAL flights.

## Philippine Airlines vs competitors

| Feature | Philippine Airlines | EVA Air | Korean Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Business seat to Manila | A350-1000 suite with door (SFO, JFK) | Royal Laurel via Taipei | Prestige via Seoul |
| Non-stop to Manila | Yes, from six US cities | One-stop via Taipei | One-stop via Seoul |
| Alliance | None (oneworld from late 2027) | Star Alliance | SkyTeam |
| Typical contracted fare | $3,200-$4,600 LAX/SFO-Manila | $3,400-$5,200 East Coast via Taipei | $3,400-$5,000 via Seoul |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Philippine Airlines Business Class cost from the US?

Published Business Class from the US to Manila typically runs $5,500-$8,500 round-trip in peak season. Through a contracted consolidator, Los Angeles or San Francisco non-stops regularly price $3,200-$4,600 round-trip and New York $3,400-$5,200, 30-60% below published.

### Which Philippine Airlines flights have the A350-1000 suite?

San Francisco (daily) and New York JFK. Some added JFK frequencies from December 2, 2026 start on the A350-900, which has a doorless 1-2-1 seat. Los Angeles uses the older 777-300ER, so we confirm the aircraft on every quote.

### Which US cities have non-stop Philippine Airlines flights?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK, Seattle and Honolulu, plus Chicago O'Hare from November 9, 2026. PAL also flies to Guam and Saipan.

### Is Philippine Airlines in an alliance?

Not yet. PAL signed an agreement in June 2026 to join oneworld, with membership expected in late 2027. After that, oneworld programs such as American AAdvantage will earn and redeem on PAL flights.

### When should I book Business Class to Manila for Christmas?

Early. The November-January Christmas season is the heaviest diaspora travel period in Asia and PAL's Business cabins sell out months ahead, so book December travel by September where you can.